Term

Water Buffalo Theology

A book by Kosuke Koyama expressing an Asian theology rooted in Thai Buddhist culture. It advocates for culturally expressing Christianity so the Gospel can prophetically challenge and change that culture while opposing syncretism.

Filed underSystematic Theology

Definition

A book written by Kosuke Koyama, an expression of an Asian theology rooted in the Thai Buddhist culture that has developed through Koyama's missionary experience in Thailand. According to Koyama, while opposing syncretism, theology must be able to culturally express Christianity in terms that carry both the form and meaning of the Gospel message, while rooting itself within the culture, and thus allowing the Gospel to prophetically interpret, challenge, and change that culture.

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Contrasted with

Sources

  1. 1.Water Buffalo Theology. (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1974).Original citation: Koyama, Kōsuke. Water Buffalo Theology. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1974.

Last revised August 14, 2026