scholarly journals Reading Psalm 90 in the African (Yoruba) perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David T. Adamo
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Biblical Studies ◽  
Traditional Religion ◽  
African Culture ◽  
Biblical Hermeneutics ◽  
New Words ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Critical Methodology ◽  
Small Collection ◽  
African Context

Psalm 90 stands at a critical juncture in the overall scheme of the Psalter. It is also the first Psalm of the small collection which constitutes Book IV of the Psalter. Psalm 90 can be regarded as one of the magisterial Psalms. Psalm 90 is unique in four ways: (1) Psalm 90 is the first Psalm of Book IV with new words after the unresolved ending of Book III; (2) it is the only Psalm with a superscription dedicated to Moses; (3) Psalm 90 is the most popular and attested text of the Bible according to archaeological facts; (4) the chapter is the theological heart of the Psalter with its emphasis on God’s time and his reign. Unfortunately, however, many scholars have not paid much attention to how these Psalms are used as amulets, talismans, and medicine as attested by archaeological documents uncovered. The purpose of this article is to examine Psalm 90 in the African (Yoruba) context which has been supported by archaeological documents of Psalm 90 uncovered. Psalm 90 has been considered as a Psalm of protection, healing and success.Intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary implications: ‘Reading Psalm 90 in the African context’ interprets Psalm 90 in the light of African culture. It deals with biblical studies, exegesis, African traditional religion, and African cultural practices using historical-critical and African biblical hermeneutical methodologies. The Euro-American way is challenged, and African biblical hermeneutics methodology presents a legitimate historical-critical methodology.

scholarly journals Reading Psalm 23 In African Context

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David T. Adamo
Keyword(s):  
Old Testament ◽  
Biblical Studies ◽  
Traditional Religion ◽  
Biblical Hermeneutics ◽  
African Christianity ◽  
African People ◽  
The Bible ◽  
African Context ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Psalm 23

The book of Psalms is the best known, most discussed and most cited book of the Old Testament. Psalm 23 especially is the most loved book of the Psalms. That must have been the reason why it was named ‘an American icon’ and the ‘nightingale of the Psalms’. Two major ways of reading this Psalm are: as a shepherd to a sheep and as God to a human. The author of this article reads Psalms 23 Africentrically, that is, as God to a human. This means that Psalms 23 is read for the purpose of protection, provision, healing and success in all aspects of life, which are the main concerns of African people. It means reading Psalm 23 existentially with African life interest.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article is concerned with biblical studies, African Traditional Religion and culture and African Biblical Hermeneutics. It seeks to challenge the traditional Eurocentric approaches for its methodological approaches that do not make biblical studies adequately relevant to African Christianity. The book of Psalms is used as a perfect example of how it can be interpreted relevantly in Africa. Further implication is that there will be reduction of the Bible and Christianity looking like a foreign book and religion.

Postcolonial Liberation: Decolonizing Biblical Studies in the South African Postcolony

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald O. West
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Biblical Interpretation ◽  
Biblical Studies ◽  
The South ◽  
Biblical Hermeneutics ◽  
The Bible ◽  
African Black ◽  
History Of ◽  
Land Economics ◽  
The 1960S

Liberation biblical interpretation and postcolonial biblical interpretation have a long history of mutual constitution. This essay analyzes a particular context in which these discourses and their praxis have forged a third conversation partner: decolonial biblical interpretation. African and specifically South African biblical hermeneutics are the focus of reflections in this essay. The South African postcolony is a “special type” of postcolony, as the South African Communist Party argued in the 1960s. The essay charts the characteristics of the South African postcolony and locates decolonial biblical interpretation within the intersections of these features. Race, culture, land, economics, and the Bible are forged in new ways by contemporary social movements, such as #FeesMustFall. South African biblical studies continues to draw deeply on the legacy of South African black theology, thus reimagining African biblical studies as decolonial African biblical studies—a hybrid of African liberation and African postcolonial biblical interpretation.

scholarly journals Interpreting the Bible in the 'new' South Africa: Remarks on some problems and challenges

1997 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Human
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
New South ◽  
Biblical Studies ◽  
Biblical Hermeneutics ◽  
Christian Community ◽  
South African Society ◽  
The Bible ◽  
University Of Pretoria ◽  
Interpretation Process

Interpreting the Bible in the 'new' South Africa DJ Human Department of Biblical Studies (Sec B) University of Pretoria The Bible plays an important role in South African society. The interpretation of this book within or outside the Christian community has become an increaslingly major source of debate. It has been used and misused in several spheres of society. This article does not intend providing an extensive and composite picture of the problems and character of biblical hermeneutics. Nor will it attempt to elaborate on or explain the origins, development and influences of all the different her-meneutical approaches. Rather, it poses to be an introduction to a few of the problem(s) encountered in the attempt to understand the Bible, especially in terms of the 'new' South Africa. Within the framework of this scope, remarks will be made regarding the challenges involved in interpreting the Bible, the role of the interpreter in the interpretation process, the varied forms of literature to be found in Scripture, and in the last instance, to take cognisance of a few methodological approaches to the text analysis of the Bible.

“Piercing the veil into Beliefs”: Christians Metaphysical Realities vis-à-vis Realities on African Traditional Medicine

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-99
Author(s):  
J. Mawere ◽  
R.M. Mukonza ◽  
A. Hungwe ◽  
S.L. Kugara
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
World Order ◽  
Traditional Religion ◽  
The Bible ◽  
African Traditional Medicine ◽  
Pentecostal Churches ◽  
Traditional Practitioners ◽  
The Veil ◽  
Insight Into

This paper centres on the contentions between the use of African Traditional medicine and convoluted beliefs among some Christianity groups. It is argued that most Pentecostal churches in Africa vilify African cultural practices and deter their converts from using African traditional medicine. Feelings of disgrace and trepidation when asked about traditional healing frequently make it difficult, particularly for the individuals who have become Christians and have acknowledged western medicine, to reveal their insight into non-western treatments. Against this backdrop, the primary aim of this paper is to unveil the conflict between Christianity and the use of African traditional medicine. The broad aim is to create a platform for a conjectural dialogue towards appreciation for a ‘new world order’ that necessitates an integration of African Traditional Religion and Christianity through adopting a comprehension of cultural differences. The paper draws in the existing scholarly literature on the contention that Pentecostalism do not acclimatize with cultural practices of the African indigenous people preceding persuading them about switching to God who is introduced in the Bible. It has been established that as per the Bible and Christian teachings, the use of traditional medicine is a cursed thing. The authors recommend a confrontation of the healing crisis in Africa through fostering cordial cooperation and of biomedicine, African traditional practitioners and Christian groups.

Biblical Hermeneutics and Practical Theology: Method and Truth in Context

2015 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-217
Author(s):  
Richard S. Briggs
Keyword(s):  
Practical Theology ◽  
Biblical Studies ◽  
Biblical Hermeneutics ◽  
The Bible

The rise of the discipline of “practical theology” raises afresh the question of how scripture might contribute to theological work. In this piece I argue that the kinds of contextual and self-reflexive awareness that practical theology brings to the pursuit of Christian theological inquiry overlap in certain key ways with the similar contextual and self-reflexive awareness that biblical hermeneutics brings (or should bring) to biblical studies. In particular, this leads to a challenge to the role of method in biblical and theological work, in dialogue with questions about truth and how we pursue it. A secondary thesis then addresses the question of how, if this is so, the Bible might speak into the kinds of questions pursued by practical theologians.

Phenomenological Approach to African Theology

2021 ◽  
pp. 108-131
Author(s):  
Mbosowo Bassey Udok
Keyword(s):  
Liberation Theology ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
African Culture ◽  
African Theology ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Phenomenological Methodology ◽  
African Context

This chapter examines the phenomenological approaches to African theology. Over the years, there have been several attempts to think about theology to be a Western venture, thus resulting in such claims as “there is nothing like African theology.” This work seeks to investigate whether there truly is an African theology. It further analyzes the study of theology in an African context with respect to ethno-theology, inculturation theology, and Black or liberation theology. Using hermeneutical-phenomenological methodology, which seeks to interpret African theology with a view to bringing out its essence and of course reasons for its existence, findings show that employing phenomenological approaches like epoche or bracketing, eidetic reduction, and comparative approaches, African theology takes its primary data from the Bible, African tradition, and history. The chapter concludes that there is African theology with respect to African culture, nature, and experience.

Reading The Bible With African Lenses: Exodus 20:1–17 As Interpreted by Simon Kapwepwe

2021 ◽  
pp. 001452462110218
Author(s):  
Jonathan Kangwa
Keyword(s):  
Political Freedom ◽  
African Culture ◽  
Church Of Scotland ◽  
Free Church ◽  
African Identity ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Biblical Scholarship ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Freedom Fighters ◽  
African Context

The bible has been differently received, read, interpreted and appropriated in African communities. Political freedom fighters in Zambia used the bible to promote black consciousness and an awareness of African identity. The first group of freedom fighters who emerged from the Mwenzo and Lubwa mission stations of the Free Church of Scotland in North Eastern Zambia read and interpreted the bible in a manner that encouraged resistance against colonialism and the marginalization of African culture. This paper adds to current shifts in African biblical scholarship by considering Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe’s interpretation of Exodus 20:1–17 in the context of Zambia’s movement for political and ecclesiastical independence. Kapwepwe belonged to the first group of freedom fighters - fighting alongside Kenneth Kaunda who would become the first President of Zambia. The present paper shows how Kapwepwe brought the biblical text into dialogue with the African context to address urgent issues of his time, including colonialism.

Authentic Indigenization and Liberation in the Theology of Canaan Sodindo Banana (1936–2003) of Zimbabwe

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-332
Author(s):  
Norman Thomas
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South African ◽  
Political Theology ◽  
The United States ◽  
African Culture ◽  
Biblical Hermeneutics ◽  
Armed Struggle ◽  
The Bible ◽  
African Black ◽  
Socially Relevant

AbstractAfrican theologies are most often classified as either theologies of inculturation, or of liberation. Canaan Banana was one of few African theologians who combine authentic indigenization and liberation in their thought. The author, who knew Rev. Banana personally, based his analysis on Banana's writings and on interpretations by other scholars. Banana's theology was influenced by his ecumenical leadership as a Methodist minister, studies in the United States, involvement in the liberation struggle, and national leadership as the first President of Zimbabwe. Banana's liberation perspective, in contrast to those of most South African black theologians, dealt with issues of class rather than of color. His political theology, articulated when he was president of Zimbabwe, focused on the relation of socialism and Christianity. For him liberation involved struggle and even armed struggle. In his last decade former President Banana began to articulate a prophetic "Combat Theology." Banana stimulated a heated discussion on biblical hermeneutics in southern Africa by proposing deletion from the Bible of passages used to justify oppression. Believing that God is revealed also through creation and African culture, he found creative myths and images of Jesus in the cultures of his own Shona and Ndebele peoples. His contribution is a theology that can help Christianity to be both indigenous and socially relevant in 21st century Africa.

scholarly journals Rereading Psalm 121 in an African (Yoruba) context

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
Peter Olanrewaju Awojobi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
World View ◽  
Fourth Century ◽  
Spiritual Warfare ◽  
Third Century ◽  
Biblical Hermeneutics ◽  
African People ◽  
The Bible ◽  
African Context ◽  
Daily Prayer ◽  
The Temple

This article is an attempt to reread Psalm 121 in an African context with reference to the culture of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. The study considers certain Eurocentric interpretation of the Book of Psalms which Africans maintained do not meet their social, physical and spiritual aspirations. An African interpretation of the Bible is an interpretation which adopts the African world view. In this study, Psalm 121 is interpreted in the light of help and protection which are the greatest needs of the African people. The study adopts the African Biblical Hermeneutics. The central focus of this approach is to provide a useful lens to reread biblical text in African context. It was discovered that as early as the third century Christian era, worshippers in the temple chanted, and sung on a regular basis from Psalms. The Psalms were popular in the fourth century with the rise of monasticism as monks chanted the psalms as daily prayer not only for personal guidance but also for spiritual warfare against demons. The ancient Israelites who were the original authors of the Psalter wrote from their experiences. Many biblical scholars and members of African indigenous churches in Nigeria, see the Psalter as divine and potent words. Psalm 121 can be used to invoke help and protection on those who desire them in the same way as words of incantation (ogede) are used among the Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria. It is hoped that the Psalms and the entire Bible will be properly contextualized to address the challenges that Africans are currently facing.

HISTORICAL-CRITICAL EXEGESIS OF THE BIBLE FROM THE PROSPECT OF THEOLOGY OF THE 20th AND THE 21st CENTURIES

2020 ◽  
pp. 78-90
Author(s):  
Andrii Shymanovych
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Paul Ricoeur ◽  
Biblical Studies ◽  
Biblical Hermeneutics ◽  
Academic World ◽  
Literary Works ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Biblical Texts ◽  
Modern Era

According to the general concepts of modern era, scientific-critical exegesis aims to rationalize the learning process of biblical texts and deal with it on the same level with other literary works of the ancient. The attitude to modern biblical hermeneutics varies from radically negative to carefully positive in the theological and academic world of the 20th century. The philosophic hermeneutics of the 20th century (in particular, Paul Ricoeur) questioned the adequacy and prospects of the fundamental principles of the modern biblical studies and its encroachment on non-distorted objectivity in its researches.

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