The development of Asian theology has been closely linked to the thinking of indigenization in the early 19th century and subsequently to the concept of contextualization in missions, as indigenization focuses only on the cultural dimension, while the concept of contextualization includes social, political, and economic questions.  Since the 19th century onwards, Asian theologians have made efforts to understand distinctions between Western and Asian theology and by the end of World War II, they have been seeking liberation from Western theologies in order to make the gospel more relevant to their own local and national life situations. Although there is a general agreement among the missiologists that hermeneutics is most central to the task of contextualizing the gospel, there exists a lack of noticeable progress in this area.   In recent times, Asians are becoming aware of the need for inter-contextual engagements and inter-weaving of emerging contextual theologies with wider ecumenical vision and ecumenical commitment which transcends church or Christian unity and humanity, and embraces all  God’s creation.

The fact remains that the ecumenical movement has not been in a position to address these issues in the Asian context, especially in stimulating theological thinking with an Asian perspective. This has affected Asian contributions to develop contextual theology which could have been an impetus for ecumenical formation of the younger generation of Asian ecumenists.  Against this background, CCA will encourage churches to develop contextual hermeneutics and theologies with an Asian perspective and to look for new paradigms and models of ecumenical engagement in developing living theologies that address the emerging social, economic, political and ecological issues and religious freedom in Asia.