In This Episode, We Talk About:

• The difference between systematic theology and Biblical theology, and its impact within the church of India.
• Biblical theology in missions of the church in India.
• Contrasting and intersecting linear thinking versus cyclical thinking.
• Effective gospel contextualization in the context of culture in India.

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Show Notes:

Are you ready for a trip around the world? This episode features Dr. Bobby Gupta, the President of the Hindustan Bible Institute and College, here to share in our conversation of contextualization, missions, and theology in the church of India. Our podcast today will focus on the contrast between systematic theology and Biblical theology and its impact within the church in India. What does the church in India look like? Why has Biblical theology played such a crucial role in disciplining India? What is the response to Biblical theology in India?

Afterwards, we explore effective gospel contextualization in the context of Indian culture, and its role in spreading the word of God in India. Along the way, we’ll discuss indigenizing missions in the church of India, linear thinking versus cyclical thinking, the challenges of spreading theology in Eastern nations, and much more! Join us as we figure out the key to discipling the nations!

0:00:00 Meet today’s special guest, the President of the Hindustan Bible Institute and College with a PhD in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Seminaries, Dr. Bobby Gupta!

0:03:30 What is the story of Bobby Gupta?

0:08:10 What is the profile of diversity in India?

0:10:20 How can we engage with unreached peoples in India?

0:14:00 What are the strengths and weaknesses of the church in India?

0:16:50 How would you define systematic theology?

0:20:30 How would you define Biblical theology?

0:25:10 Mission ONE midroll ad.

0:26:15 What category do most systematic theologies start with?

0:29:00 Why was the contrast between Biblical and systematic theology key to discipling India?

0:33:15 Linear thinking versus cyclical thinking.

0:37:20 What is the intersection of linearity and cycles within the Bible?

0:40:15 How have you seen the word of God impact someone from a Hindu background?

0:46:10 How does Biblical theology relate to effective gospel contextualization?

0:48:25 What are some examples of this?

0:51:15 Why is effective gospel contextualization beginning from Biblical theology crucial in the context of India?

0:55:15 What has been the response to Biblical theology in India?

1:00:20 What are the challenges of spreading theology in Indian culture?

1:04:30 What is essential to healthy contextualization?