Koyama’s approach shows us his concern (HEART) to the problems of the people. Well, a good missionary is supposed to be someone who cares for the people. And Koyama’s theology put much emphasis on the human person. He is concerned with what the people are struggling with under the impact of modernity such as modern idolatry and greed. He is concerned with the people and making his theology comprehensible. He is using “daily” vocabularies that are familiar to the people within his context. I am much interested by the way he presents his theology. I suppose the purpose of theology is to speak the truth that is relevant, understandable and applicable to the people, hence using words or terminology which is familiar to the people in a particular context is utmost important. The title of the book itself is very attracting; “Water buffalo theology” reminds us of water buffalo that the farmers ride on while working on the paddy field. In other word, incomprehensible theology is not helpful for the people for theology must always be RELEVANT and COMPREHENSIVE. He is taking the approach of “theology from below”, the God incarnate or the “self-emptying” Christ (kenosis).
In helping the people to reflect, he tends to use contrasting perspective to stimulate his readers’ awareness of their problems such as “affective and ineffective, gun and ointment, the crucified mind and the crusade mind”. For example, Koyama is challenging the effective world with an “ineffective God”. While the world is focusing on how affective they are, Koyama reminds us of an ineffective God who works differently or perhaps contrary to the way the world is running. His theology is ENGAGING with the people’s problem.
I like the idea of “the crucified mind” which is contrary to “the crusading mind”. As the world we are living now is having a crusading mind trying to subdue and take control of others - to win is to subdue and to control. Consequently, having a crucified mind is paramount. Even within the protestant churches, clergies are getting more and more competitive as they fear losing numbers to other congregation. Koyama’s theology is COUNTERING the cultures and paradigms of the world.
Koyama’s openness and respect to people of different faiths is admirable and important in a multi religious context. We should recognize certain truths in the teaching of other faiths. However, our challenge is in how to make Christianity distinctively unique as it points to the incarnate and the crucified God. I believe Koyama is trying to avoid building barriers to other faiths if the way we present Christianity is superior or he addressed it as “teaching complex”. Instead of using “BIG WORDS” to communicate, he prefers to use “DAILY WORDS” to STAY CONNECTED.
Kosuke Koyama does not just present his theology but also stimulate people to reflect. His theology is a reflective theology. He is not presenting a palatable gospel for people to enjoy but also presenting theology for people to digest. The task of theology is not only providing answer but also inspiring people to reflect.
