Word

In the first preface, Donovan points to the Gospel or more broadly the Word: “Two things must come together to lead us to that new place—the gospel and the sacred arena of people’s lives. What we referred to tentatively in Africa as the naked gospel, what Karl Rahner describes theologically as the ‘final and fundamental substance of the Christian message,’ must be brought to bear on the real flesh and blood world in which we live. (Donovan, xiii)

I realize that in going to Nakura this does and does not apply. Nakura is already an established church. Yet there are people in the community who are not familiar with the work. I will be experiencing the “naked gospel” with some people in Africa. And I need to be open to the experience. And also respect how they will blend their own culture with the Christianity we offer.