Lausanne World Pulse – World Pulse Archives – World Pulse Archives

How are my students supposed to read this book?” asked the American president of a theological seminary in Indonesia. Because so few theological books were published in the languages of Indonesia, his students had to do their theological studies in English. Their grasp of the English language was minimal, and the sentence he had just read me was long, complex and loaded with academic terms.

Our conversation took place a number of years ago. Since then subsidies have made it possible for dozens of theological books to be translated into Indonesian.

However, for students in many countries, the only option for theological study is to first learn English.

Although the number of Christians in developing countries is expanding exponentially, the number of people who would buy a theological book in any given language is still too small to make it profitable for a local Christian publisher to attempt the time-consuming and expensive job of translating theological books.

If an indigenous publisher thinks twice about translating an established Western author, the probability he or she would even consider publishing a theology book by a local author is remote. Where would the money come from for such a venture? And where would he find a solid, thoughtful theological thinker who had time to write a book?

Yet, such indigenous theological writing is necessary for the establishment of the local church on a solid foundation in its own particular cultural soil. How many Western theological books address the issue of ancestor worship? How many Western theologians have given serious thought to combating monistic influences on the church in Buddhist cultures?

Although the truth of the gospel remains the same, the context in which it is applied varies dramatically from one end of the earth to the other. The church in every culture needs to think theologically about its own challenges.

And, as the East emigrates to the West, many of the theological insights of Christians in the East could be shared with Western Christians who have not before needed to give a single thought to some of the issues now facing their churches.

West to East Some theological writing is coming out of Asia, Africa and Latin America, but most of the published fruits of theological thought are going one way—West to East. Here’s why:

First, in theological schools worldwide the texts have always been largely Western. The earliest Christian teachers were Westerners, and the only texts available were the ones with which they were familiar.

Second, even in the West, because of the small market for theological books, theological publishing must often be subsidized. The market for such books relevant to the culture and issues faced by Christians in a small country might be measured not in thousands but hundreds—or fewer. Such publishing must always be subsidized. Yet, where would a small publisher find donors willing to subsidize a book by a local Christian leader?

A third problem is the lack of potential authors who have time to write. Those who would have the most to offer are often overburdened with responsibility. For most, taking a few months off to write a thoughtful book is out of the question.

Already some Christian leaders in the developing world have gained respect in evangelical theological circles worldwide. Undoubtedly there would be many more if these problems could be overcome.

Finding Their Voice There are no simple answers to the dilemma; however, there is one way both to identify budding theologians and give them a voice. Even overburdened Christian leaders who would not have time to write an entire book could be encouraged to write articles for a theological journal.

Indigenous theological magazines in every country with a growing church would serve as an outlet for publication by local Christian leaders and give them writing experience. They would provide a vehicle for developing a Christian response to issues of the local culture. They could also provide a means of exchanging views among theologians in countries which share similar challenges.

Theological journals face many of the same challenges of book publishers. The potential audience is relatively small and the journal must be subsidized, not only at the beginning, but probably permanently.

Already dozens of small theological journals struggle alone in relative obscurity. If they are to produce the kind of literature and authors the church needs, they must be supported and encouraged. Their publishers, editors and authors must have the opportunity to expand their skills through training, and their journals must receive the kind of financial support necessary to end—or at least alleviate—the issue-to-issue battle for life.

Indigenous journals and textbooks will not do away with the need for Western theological books. However, as careful theological thought begins to emerge from the pages of theological journals and as new writers are introduced, the potential impact on the church, its leaders, the country and the world is enormous.

Sharon Mumper directs the Magazine Training Institute (MTI) from Austria (www. magazinetraining.com). MTI equips Christian magazine publishers in East-Central Europe and Asia.