"How to make a Christian Buddah" (A word on extreme contextualization)

A recent missions magazine has published some rather disturbing articles regarding contextualization in missions. While the articles were provocative and thought-provoking, I found them troubling, in the sense that there seemed to be an almost syncristic perspective of Christianity that allows for someone to become a "Christian", yet remain in a Buddhistic (or Islamic, etc.) package. While there is value and necessity in allowing the Gospel to flow into any culture without it's western trappings - there is a line crossed somewhere when a convert refers to him or her self as a "New Buddhist". Christianity requires an embracing of Christ and rejection of certain aspects of every culture - including western materialism.

While I found this troubling and thought provoking, these articles have milled around in my head for several weeks.

I was very happy to hear that I am not the only one who found these articles troubling. I commend to you these "Fresh Words" from Dr. Piper. He addresses this issue with balance and authority.