If worship is for God and not for humanity, is there any real argument for worship to be “contextual” (look different at different times and in different places)? If such arguments do exist, how much flexibility is there? The music? The architecture? The sacraments? Is anything sacred… or is everything sacred?

In this mind-bending conversation with Dr Kenneth Wallace Jr, we talk about his work in ethnodoxolgy, and we graze around our theological fields trying to determine which of the cows are sacred. From questions about the necessity of “wine” for the Eucharist to the questioning of water being required for baptism, this conversation is enough to make anyone’s head spin, but (hopefully) also help us see the importance of connecting our rituals to meaning.

I’m curious: What did you think? 👇

Chapters -

00:00 - Introduction to the Jolly Thoughts Podcast

05:43 - Exploring Ethnodoxology and Worship Contexts

13:06 - Kenny Wallace’s Journey and Background

19:03 - Understanding Ethnodoxology

24:39 - Cultural Expressions in Worship

31:26 - The Need for Ethnodoxology

37:13 - Accretions in Worship Practices

44:42 - Cultural Context and Worship Practices

47:38 - Curiosity and Respect in Interactions

51:44 - Engaging with Indigenous Ceremonies

56:17 - The Meaning Behind Rituals

1:00:13 - Contextualization of Communion

1:05:25 - Understanding Baptism in Different Cultures

Keywords: ethnodoxology, worship, cultural expressions, Kenneth Wallace, Jolly Thoughts Podcast, worship practices, church history, cultural heritage, worship studies, community engagement, cultural context, worship practices, curiosity, respect, indigenous ceremonies, communion, baptism, ethnodoxology, spirituality, Christianity

Takeaways:

* Ethnodoxology is about worship in local contexts.

* Cultural expressions of worship are essential to understanding faith.

* Kenny Wallace’s journey reflects a diverse background in worship studies.

* The importance of contextualizing worship practices in different cultures.

* Historical church practices have influenced modern worship.

* Accretions in worship can dilute the core message of the gospel.

* Cultural heritage can enrich worship experiences.

* Trust and respect are vital in community and worship settings.

* The role of curiosity in understanding different cultural practices.

* Worship should reflect the diversity of God’s creation. Self-mutilation and sexual immorality are not acceptable in Christian worship.

* Technology can dehumanize individuals, affecting our respect for them.

* Cultural items in worship must be critically evaluated against scripture.

* Curiosity about others fosters respect and understanding.

* Engaging with indigenous ceremonies requires sensitivity and awareness.

* The function of a ritual can change based on cultural context.

* Communion can be expressed through various cultural forms without losing its meaning.

* Baptism can be contextualized using indigenous practices like sage smoke.

* Understanding the meaning behind rituals is more important than the form they take.

* Building relationships is essential for effective ministry.

Get full access to Marc Jolicoeur (aka Jolly Thoughts) at marcjolicoeur.substack.com/subscribe