DOCSLIB.ORG

Anum, Eric Bortey (1999) the Reconstruction of Forms of African Theology: Towards Effective Biblical Interpretation

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Anum, Eric Bortey (1999) the Reconstruction of Forms of African Theology: Towards Effective Biblical Interpretation Anum, Eric Bortey (1999) The Reconstruction of Forms of African Theology: Towards Effective Biblical Interpretation. PhD thesis. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/3466/ Copyright and moral rights for this thesis are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the Author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the Author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given. Glasgow Theses Service http://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] The Reconstruction of Forms of African Theology: Towards Effective Biblical Interpretation Faculty of Divinity A thesis submitted for the degree of PhD Glasgow University by Eric Bortey Anum December, 1999 (c) t .... ;" B. AV\I.J.."".J \9"1'1 Abstract This thesis sets out to investigate current reconstruction of forms of African theology that is taking place in parts of Africa. The specific interest is to identify emerging biblical interpretative modes from these theologies and seek to suggest ways of making them effective for the benefit of African communities of readers and the biblical academia as a whole. After a brief consideration of the contribution of historical critical interpretation, this thesis then focused specifically on the development of African scholarly readings. The specific interest in these African readings is· to provide the necessary criteria which will ensure that critical scholarly readings can both be differentiated and derived from popular readings. My interest in popular readings is because of the major role they play in the provision of contextual components or the missing links that can only be obtained from ordinary readers, that the scholarly reader needs in hislher reconstruction of· African self-understanding. I have therefore looked at the attempts to structure the relationship between ordinary readers and scholarly readers and out of that has come the contribution to the theologies of reconstruction in Africa. In summary, to respond to the quest for acceptable critical models of reading the Bible using African cultural texts and world view, it has become necessary to provide recommendations for African hermeneuts which would enhance their readings in order to make their contributions to scholarly biblical interpretation to the global community more effective. This is exactly what this thesis aims at achieving. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 10 AUTHOR'S DECLARATION 12 INTRODUCTION 13 PART I 26 FROM HISTORICAL THEOLOGY TO AFRICAN THEOLOGY 26 CHAPTER ONE 26 1. THE ROOTS OF AFRICAN BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION 26 1.1. Baur's views on biblical interpretation have been influenced by theological debates in his socio- cultural context. 27 1.2. Baur's position with ordinary readers and the Church 29 1.3. Conclusions 33 CHAPTER TWO 40 2. BIBLICAL INTERPRETATIVE MODELS IN AFRICA (1): DEVELOPING HERMENEUTICAL MODELS IN TWENTIETH CENTURY AFRICA. 40 2.1. Hermeneutical developments in Africa 42 2.2. Ukpong's hermeneutical categories 43 2.2.1. Comparative Hemeneutical Practice 43 2.2.2. Evaluative Hermeneutical Practice 49 2.2.3. Inculturation biblical interpretation 61 2.2.4. Contextual Bible Study Hermeneutical approach in South Africa 65 2.2.5. Feminist hermeneutical Practice 73 2.3. Conclusions 76 2.4. Reflections 79 2.5. Highlights of the importance of 'reading with' with respect to the reconstmction of African theology81 4 CHAPTER THREE 84 3. BIBLICAL INTERPRETATIVE MODELS IN AFRICA (2): CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION AND TRENDS IN AFRICAN CHRISTIANITY 84 3.1. Examples of readings by African scholarly readers- Review of Semeia 73 (1996) 84 3.1.1. Identification of Ordinary Readers 86 3.1.2. Identification ofthe scholarly reader 88 3.1.3. Commonalities between Ordinary Readers and Scholarly Readers 90 3.1.4. Relationship between ordinary readers and scholarly readers 93 3.1.5. Evaluation of the views from the volume 98 3.1.6. Conclusions 103 3.2. Contemporary trends in African Christianity 108 3.3. Towards the formulation of reconstruction theologies 113 3.4. Concluding remarks 117 CHAPTER FOUR 118 4. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WESTERN SCHOLARLY READINGS AND AFRICAN SCHOLARLY READINGS 118 4.1. Relationship between Oassical critical hermeneutics in Europe and Africa hermeneutics 118 4.2. The way forward: Habermas' dominance-free hermeneutics 128 4.3. Concluding remarks 142 PART II 147 FINDINGS, SURVEYS, REVIEWS AND EVALUATION REPORTS AND ANALYSIS OF READINGS AND USAGE OF THE BIBLE AMONG ORDINARY READERS 147 CHAPTER FIVE 147 5. Survey of Ordinary Readings of the Bible In Selected Areas In West Africa. 147 5.1. Data collection and analysis 153 5.2. Main Findings 155 5.2.1. Biblical Preferences of respondents 155 5.2.2. Favourite Bible messages 158 5.2.3. Context of usage of the Bible 159 5.2.4. Expectations from Readings 162 5.2.5. Benefits or gains from Church/readings in church 163 5.2.6. Local and Diverse Interpretations 166 5.2.7. Reasons for diverse interpretations ofthe Bible today 170 5.2.8. Reasons for moving from one church to another 171 5.2.9. Influence of ethnicity on biblical interpretation 173 5 5.2.10. Influence of experiences and exposures on biblical interpretation 174 5.2.11. Influence of context on biblical interpretation of respondents 175 5.3. Analysis 184 5.3.1 Biblical Preferences of the respondents 184 5.3.2. Diverse and local interpretations 187 5.3.3. Influence of culture on interpretation 187 5.3.4. Influence of Context on Biblical interpretation 188 5.4. Implications from analysis 189 5.5. The Way Forward 191 CHAPTER SIX 194 6. EVALUATION OF THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE'S (lSB) CONTEXTUAL BIBLE STUDY HERMENEUTICAL (CBS) PRACTICE194 6.1 The ISB's Hermeneutical Methodology 197 6.2. Evaluation of the Institute for the Study of the Bible's Contextual Bible Study hermeneutical practice200 6.2.1. Analysis of evaluation reports 200 6.2.1.1. Kenosis Lutheran Women's project 203 6.2.1.2. Amawoti Community Evaluation 209 6.2.2. Examples of Readings 217 6.2.2.1. 'Reading' Luke 17: 11-19 at Newcastle (South Africa). 218 6.2.2.2. Analysis of questions 224 6.2.3 Observations 225 6.2.4. Reflections 227 6.2.5. Conclusions 232 CHAPTER SEVEN 238 7. EVALUATION OF THE GLASGOW CONTEXTUAL BIBLE STUDY GROUP'S READINGS WITH ORDINARY READERS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE ISB'S EVALUATION. 238 7.1. Formation of The Contextual Bible Study Group In Glasgow (CBS) 238 7.1.1. The Reading Process 239 7.2. Review of the Glasgow CBS Group 240 7.2.1. Analysis of Data 241 7.3. Example of Readings 248 7.4. Final Observations 251 7.4.1. Reflections 251 7.4.2. Concluding remarks 252 7.5. The relationship between ISB'sCBS evaluation and Glasgow CBS group's evaluation 252 7.5.1. Identification of marginalised people 252 7.5.2. Identification of the organised poor. 254 7.5.3. The role of the ordinary reader 255 7.5.4. The task ofthe trained Reader 255 7.5.5. Dealing with conventional readings of biblical texts 256 6 7.5.6. Connections between context and text 257 7.5.7. Relationship between culture and interpretation 258 7.5.8. Relationship of biblical interpretation with historical critical readings and literary context of the text 259 7.5.9. Conversational reading and participation in the reading of biblical texts 260 7.5.10. Action Plans 261 7.5.11. Outputs of the Reading Process 262 7.5.12. Conclusion 262 PART III 264 SUGGESTIONS FOR EFFECTIVE BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION IN AFRICA.264 CHAPTER EIGHT 264 8. TOWARDS EFFECTIVE BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF FORMS OF AFRICAN THEOLOGY: THE TASK AHEAD AND SOME RECOMMENDATIONS. 264 8.1. Who are the partners in the reconstruction of African theologies and what is their agenda and expectations? 265 8.1.1. Profile of discourse partners 265 8.1.2. Agenda of discourse partners 266 8.2. What kinds of methodology/ies do ordinary and scholarly readers employ in their theological reconstrucnon? 269 8.2.1. Dialogical methodologies and approaches to biblical interpretation 269 8.2.2. Power Relations 270 8.2.3. Different modes of theological reconstruction 273 8.3. What are/will be the most appropriate outputs or products of the attempts by scholarly readers to reconstruct forms of African theology? 274 8.3.1. Academic Reporting 274 8.3.2. Generating, collecting and analysing popular readings 276 8.4. Conclusions 278 8.5. Recommendanons 278 8.5.1. Agendas and expectations of discourse partners 278 8.5.2. Power relations 282 8.5.3. Methodologies and approaches to biblical interpretation by discourse partners 282 8.5.4. Use of the Bible in missionary history 285 8.5.5. Outputs and products ofthe communication practice 287 8.5.6. Towards frame work for biblical interpretation and the reconstruction of forms of African theology 290 APPENDICES I - IV 295 Appendix I 295 1.The Debt of culture to African theologians 295 Appendix n 302 2. Stewart Gillan's case cited from his thesis Mayi buye i Africa! : 302 7 A grounded theology of Land Restitution in South Africa (1996). 302 Appendix ill 305 A 305 Evaluation of Report of Glasgow CBS participants 305 B 306 CBS sample evaluation questionnaire for participants 306 Appendix IV 308 A 308 Madina, Jos and Mubi Survey Report 308 B. 335 Madina, Jos and Mubi Survey Questionnaire 335 BIBLIOGRAPHY 339 8 Preface This thesis is in three parts.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Jesse Mugambi Profile Update March 2017
    UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES P.O. Box 30197-00100 Nairobi, Kenya. Tel.+254-20 318262 Prof. Dr. J.N.K. Mugambi, Ph.D., FKNAS, EBS Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies University Way, Gandhi Wing Third Floor Room 301A, Mobile +254-722-753-227 E-Mail: [email protected] ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PROFILE- UPDATED TO MARCH 2017 i) BASIC PERSONAL DETAILS FOR J.N.K. MUGAMBI – MARCH 2017 NAME MUGAMBI, Jesse Ndwiga Kanyua BIRTH Kenya, 6 Feb 1947 LANGUAGES English (Proficient); Kiswahili (Proficient); French (Basic). SKILLS Formal and Informal Education; Communication; Applied Ethics; Institutional Management; Leadership Development; Conference hosting; Publishing; Research Consultancy, Environmental Conservation and Rehabilitation. ACADEMICS Christian Theology; Cultural Studies; Comparative Study of Religions; Contemporary Philosophy; Ecumenical Relations; Interfaith Relations; Applied Ecology; Applied Ethics; Education Management; Communication Policy and Planning; Publishing. OFFICE Office Address: University of Nairobi, University Way, CONTACT Dept. of Philosophy and Religious Studies, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel. (+254)20-318262 ext. 28137; Fax: (+254-20)245-566. PRIVATE Private Address: P.O. Box 74419-00200 Nairobi, Kenya; CONTACT Res. Mobile +254-722-753-227. Or +254-722-331-172 E-mail: [email protected] ii) NATIONAL HONOURS AND RECOGNITION 2013 FKNAS – Fellow of the Kenya National Academy of Sciences 2010 EBS - Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear 1994 MKNAS- Member of Kenya National Academy of Sciences iii) ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS 2016 Outstanding Academic Staff Award- Most Cited Scholar 2014 Pre-Qualified Peer Reviewer- Kenya Commission for University Education (CUE) 1992 Senior University Administrators’ Certificate, University of Manitoba, Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • A Theology of Possessions in the African Context: a Critical Survey
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by UWC Theses and Dissertations UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE Thesis for MTh. Degree John Hugo Fischer Student Number: 2530178 Department of religion and theology Title of thesis A Theology of Possessions in the African context: A critical survey Supervisor: Prof. Ernst Conradie Date November 2007 1 A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Magister Theologae in the Department of Religion and Theology at the Faculty of Arts at the University of the Western Cape By John Hugo Fischer Supervisor: Professor E. M. Conradie November 2007 2 Keywords Possessions Africa Christianity Worldviews Consumerism Private Property Communal Possessions Urbanization Stewardship Vineyard Missions 3 Abstract This thesis has been researched against the back drop of conflict that had arisen due to different approaches to possessions in the African church as practiced within the Association of Vineyard Churches. This conflict arose because of diff erent cultural approaches to possessions and property rights as they affect different parts of the African church. In order to analyse this conflict and arrive at some understanding of the different forces operating in the area of resources and possessions it was necessary to adopt the approach laid out below. The objective was to arrive at an analysis of such differences, and the sources from which such differences originated, and then to draw some conclusion with regard to the present state of the debate on possessions and how this could affect the praxis of the Vineyard churches in Sub Saharan Africa in which I serve.
    [Show full text]
  • Mission Continues Global Impulses for the 21St Century Claudia Wahr̈ Isch-Oblau University of Edinburgh, Ir [email protected]
    Concordia Seminary - Saint Louis Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary Edinburgh Centenary Series Resources for Ministry 1-1-2010 Mission Continues Global Impulses for the 21st Century Claudia Wahr̈ isch-Oblau University of Edinburgh, [email protected] Fidon Mwombeki University of Edinburgh, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://scholar.csl.edu/edinburghcentenary Part of the Missions and World Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Wahr̈ isch-Oblau, Claudia and Mwombeki, Fidon, "Mission Continues Global Impulses for the 21st Century" (2010). Edinburgh Centenary Series. Book 13. http://scholar.csl.edu/edinburghcentenary/13 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Resources for Ministry at Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary. It has been accepted for inclusion in Edinburgh Centenary Series by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary. For more information, please contact [email protected]. REGNUM EDINBURGH 2010 SERIES Mission Continues Global Impulses for the 21st Century REGNUM EDINBURGH 2010 SERIES Series Preface The Centenary of the World Missionary Conference, held in Edinburgh 1910, is a suggestive moment for many people seeking direction for Christian mission in the 21st century. Several different constituencies within world Christianity are holding significant events around 2010. Since 2005 an international group has worked collaboratively to develop an intercontinental and multi- denominational project, now known as Edinburgh 2010, and based at New College, University of Edinburgh. This initiative brings together representatives of twenty different global Christian bodies, representing all major Christian denominations and confessions and many different strands of mission and church life, to prepare for the Centenary.
    [Show full text]
  • Booklet, No Cover
    Journal of African Christian Biography Vol. 3, No. 3 (July 201 8) A Publication of the Dictionary of African Christian Biography With U.S. offices located at the Center for Global Christianity and Mission at Boston University Boston, Massachusetts: Dictionary of African Christian Biography 2018 The Journal of African Christian Biography was launched in 2016 to complement and make stories from the on-line Dictionary of African Christian Biography (www.DACB.org) more readily accessible and immediately useful in African congregations and classrooms. Now published quarterly, with all issues available on line, the intent of the JACB is to promote the research, publication, and use of African Christian biography within Africa by serving as an academically credible but publicly accessible source of information on Christianity across the continent. Content will always include biographies already available in the database itself, but original contributions related to African Christian biography or to African church history are also welcome. While the policy of the DACB itself has been to restrict biographical content to subjects who are deceased, the JACB plans to include interviews with select living African church leaders and academics. All editorial correspondence should be directed to: [email protected] and [email protected]. Editor: Jonathan Bonk Associate Editors: Dana Robert, Lamin Sanneh Managing Editor: Michèle Sigg Book Notes Editor: Frances (Beth) Restrick Contributing Editors: Esther Acolatse Madipoane Masenya Gabriel Leonard Allen Jesse Mugambi James N. Amanze Philomena Njeri Mwaura Deji Isaac Ayegboyin Paul Nchoji Nkwi Edison Muhindo Kalengyo Thomas Oduro Jean-Claude Loba Mkole Evangelos E. M. Thiani ISSN 2572-0651 The Journal of African Christian Biography is a publication of Dictionary of African Christian Biography, at the Center for Global Christianity and Mission at Boston University School of Theology, 745 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA.
    [Show full text]
  • SALVATION AS HEALING? an Analysis of Jesse Mugambi and Mercy Oduyoye’S Soteriologies in the Context of African Prosperity Gospels
    SALVATION AS HEALING? An analysis of Jesse Mugambi and Mercy Oduyoye’s Soteriologies in the context of African Prosperity Gospels by Kefas Kure Umaru Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Theology in the Faculty of Theology, at Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Dr. Nadia Marais Department of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology December 2017 i Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated). That reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. December 2017 Copyright © 2017 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved i Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Dedication This thesis is dedicated to the glory of God Almighty and my dear parents through whom I developed the desire of loving God that I have been able to stand till now. To my late father, Rev Umaru Kure, in particular, I would have wished if you were still here to attest to what you embedded in me from childhood. Great thanks, however, to my mother for believing in my abilities. ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Acknowledgements I would like to express my esteem gratitude to few people who have been of tremendous encouragement to me both before and during this period of study. First, and most important is the Lord God Almighty who has been my inspiration throughout in the journey of life and academic pursuit.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Introduction 2 a Historical Background to Jesse
    JESSE MUGAMBI’S PEDIGREE: FORMATIVE FACTORS Julius Gathogo School of Religion and Theology University of KwaZulu Natal Abstract The article sets out to retrieve Jesse Mugambi’s life history as it surveys the key concepts of liberation and reconstruction in his works. In so doing, the study acknowledges that he became a household name in the African theological fraternity after his presentation to the General Committee of All Africa Conference of Churches when the erstwhile President of the All Africa Conference of Churches, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the General Secretary at the time, the Rev Jose B Chipenda invited him to reflect on the “Future of the Church and the Church of the Future in Africa”i in the Nairobi Meeting of 30 March 1990. This was a month after Nelson Mandela had been released on 2 February 1990 and Namibia had attained her independence on March 21 of the same year. And it is in this meeting that Mugambi suggested that the post-apartheid or the post-cold war African Christianity must shift her theological gear from the paradigm of liberation to that of reconstruction. To do this, the study will first attempt to trace his pedigree and then move on to survey his main theological thought. The material in this article is drawn from both the library research and the fieldwork research where certain individuals were consulted. 1 INTRODUCTION The call for a shift in theological paradigm, from liberation to reconstruction, is one of the most debated issues in African theology today. Tinyiko Maluleke (1994:245) admits the prominence of the debate when he notes that, “Reconstruction, development, and democracy are fast becoming as integral to South African political language as the notions of the struggle, revolution and liberation used to be.” Robin Petersen (1991:18) captures these views when he says that; “the talk is all about reconstruction, about rebuilding, about new things … from a theology of liberation to a theology of reconstruction, from Exodus to post-Exilic theology”.
    [Show full text]
  • IAHR Durban World Congress Proceedings 2000
    IAHR WORLD CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS DURBAN 2000 THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS: ORIGINS AND VISIONS edited by Rosalind I. J. Hackett and Michael Pye ROOTS AND BRANCHES Cambridge 2009 IAHR World Congress Proceedings Durban 2000. The History of Religions: Origins and Visions © 2009 International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR) Published by Roots and Branches, Cambridge ISBN 0 9525772 5 9 This book is copyright under the Berne convention. All rights reserved. Apart from fair dealing for private study or review as permitted under the UK Copyright Act of 1956, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, whether electric, electronic, chemical, mechanical, optical or any other, or by photocopying or recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. All enquiries to the Publications Officer of the IAHR <www.iahr.dk> CONTENTS PREFACE INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION Congress Announcement 1 Congress Organisation and Committees 3 Acknowledgements 6 IAHR Executive Committees 7 Location and Formalities 8 The IAHR Congress Tradition in Brief 9 CONGRESS SCHEDULE Overall Schedule 10 List of Panels by Title 64 ACADEMIC PROGRAMME 71 Abstracts of Panels and Symposia 72 Abstracts of Individual Papers 92 CONGRESS ADDRESSES AND REPORTS Introductory Note 278 Welcome Address - Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, MP 279 Opening Address - Michael Pye 284 Keynote Lecture - David Chidester 298 General Academic Programme Report - Rosalind I. J. Hackett 327 Cultural Activities - Rosalind I. J. Hackett 333 Administrative Report of the IAHR Durban 2000 Conference - Pratap Kumar 332 FORMAL MEETINGS OF THE IAHR General Secretary’s Report for the Period 1995-2000 338 Meeting of the International Committee of the IAHR 368 The General Assembly of the IAHR 383 PREFACE The 18th World Congress of the International Association for the History of Religions, generally known as the IAHR, took place in Durban, South Africa, 5-12 August 2000.
    [Show full text]
  • 9:HSMIMF=YVZV[U: World Council of Churches Responsible Leadership Global and Contextual Ethical Perspectives
    5310_COUV_LEADERSHIP 7/08/07 9:57 Page 1 Stückelberger / Mugambi Stückelberger RESPONSIBLE Responsible Leadership LEADERSHIP Global and Contextual Ethical Perspectives Global and Contextual Ethical Perspectives Responsible Leadership Leadership models and values change in a fast changing globalised world. Perspectives Ethical Global and Contextual The responsible use of power is a key factor to good governance and a Editors Christoph Stückelberger / Jesse N.K. Mugambi human life in dignity in all sectors of society. How can the respect for the cultural and religious diversity of values be combined with common perspectives of responsible leadership in the one world? In forty contributions, ethicists and other experts from 21 countries from five continents give surprising and challenging answers in four areas: family leadership, religious leadership, business leadership and political leadership. A reader for church and business leaders, for politicians and journalists, for teachers, students and scholars – and parents. The Editors: Christoph Stückelberger is Founder and Chairperson of Globethics.net, Director of the Institute for Theology and Ethics of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches and Professor of Ethics, University of Basel. Jesse N.K. Mugambi is Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, Professor Extraordinarius at the University of South Africa in Pretoria, Member of the World Council of Churches Working Group on Climate Change. ISBN : 978-2-8254-1516-0 9:HSMIMF=YVZV[U: World Council of Churches Responsible Leadership Global and Contextual Ethical Perspectives Responsible Leadership Global and Contextual Ethical Perspectives Editors Christoph Stückelberger / J. N. K. Mugambi Globethics.net Series No. 1 Cover design: Juan Pablo Cisneros © 2007 Globethics.net 150 route de Ferney 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland Web: http://www.globethics.net Published by WCC Publications 150 route de Ferney, P.O.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Introduction
    STORYTELLING AS A METHODOLOGY IN DEVELOPING A THEOLOGY OF RECONSTRUCTION Julius Gathogo1 School of Religion and Theology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa Abstract The article sets out to explore the problem statement: “How significant is storytelling as one of the methodologies for developing a theology of reconstruction in post-Cold War Africa?” It is based on the premise that, with post-Cold War Africa being characterised by calls for a reconstruction of African society in all fronts, storytelling will no doubt provide a rich resource. To achieve its objective, the article will revisit the historical background of the theology of reconstruction; and attempt to survey a sample of the Gikuyu (African) traditional understanding of the concept of reconstruction, and the case of some African traditional forms of communication. Afterwards, it will attempt to survey some of the approaches to developing a theology of reconstruction – alongside storytelling. 1 INTRODUCTION In attempting a definition of reconstruction, the late Hannah Wangeci Kinoti explained that the idea of reconstruction assumes that there is a framework which was previously there. She went on to say that “a cluster of words associated with the verb reconstruct should quicken our vision of asking the Church in Africa to rise up and do more purposefully and decisively”.1 She suggested that the concept of reconstruction implies a process in which we should “review and then move” – to create something more suitable to the prevailing environment.2 Other terminological parallels are: rebuild, reassemble, re-establish, recreate, reform, renovate, regenerate, remake, remodel, restore, or re-organise.3 In turn, the concept can also be compared with: rethink, re-examine, re-do, or rebirth (cf.
    [Show full text]
  • Booklet, No Cover
    Journal of African Christian Biography Special Issue in Honor of Director Jonathan Bonk on the Occasion of his Retirement Vol. 5, No. 4 (Oct. 2020) ©2020 Dictionary of African Christian Biography (DACB.org) --------------------------------------- The Journal of African Christian Biography was launched in 2016 to complement and make stories from the online Dictionary of African Christian Biography (www.DACB.org) more readily accessible and immediately useful in African Michèle Miller Sigg, PhD, is Executive Director of the Dictionary of African congregations and classrooms. Christian Biography and Editor of the Journal of African Christian Biography Now published quarterly, with all issues available on line, the intent of the JACB projects based at the Center for Global Christianity and Mission (CGCM) at the is to promote the research, publication, and use of African Christian biography within Boston University School of Theology. Africa by serving as an academically credible but publicly accessible source of information on Christianity across the continent. Content will include biographies already available in the database itself, but original contributions related to African Christian biography or to African church history are also welcome. While the policy of the DACB itself has been to restrict biographical content to subjects who are deceased, the JACB includes interviews with select living African church leaders and academics. All editorial correspondence should be directed to: [email protected]. Editor: Michèle Sigg Associate Editors: Jesse Mugambi, Dana Robert, Nimi Wariboko Special Issue Facilitator (October 2020): Jesse Mugambi Book Notes Editor: Frances (Beth) Restrick Contributing Editors: Esther Acolatse Madipoane Masenya Gabriel Leonard Allen Jesse Mugambi James N. Amanze Philomena Njeri Mwaura Deji Isaac Ayegboyin Paul Nchoji Nkwi Edison Muhindo Kalengyo Thomas Oduro Jean-Claude Loba Mkole Evangelos E.
    [Show full text]
  • Theological Impediments to Inculturation of the Eucharistic Symbols in the Anglican Church of Kenya
    Article Theological Impediments to Inculturation of the Eucharistic Symbols in the Anglican Church of Kenya George Kuria Kiarie Karatina University, Kenya [email protected] Abstract Inculturation of the Eucharistic symbols has been highly advocated in the mission-based churches located in the global South. In spite of this discourse being so fundamental for the expansion of Christian faith in any ecclesiastical context, there are emerging issues silencing this clamour. It is against this background that this article is set in order to explore the theological impediments to inculturation of the Eucharistic symbols in the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), with special reference to the diocese of Thika. Keywords: Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK); Eucharist; inculturation; Kenya; Thika; symbols; tradition Introduction Different ecclesiastical traditions in Africa coined and embraced different terms such as adaptation, indigenisation and inculturation for appropriating Christianity in various contexts in the 1960s and 1970s. This article will use the term inculturation because of its openness to dialogue and its wider acceptance in both Roman Catholic and Protestants circles. This term, according to Justin Upkong originated from the Roman Catholic Church and to be specific from the order of Jesuit in Rome in 1975.1 The term attracted different meanings from different scholars. This got the attention of Ann Nasimiyu-Wasike who notes that defining this term is one of the difficult tasks, for there are as many definitions as there are serious scholars reflecting on this process of 1 Justin Upkong, “Inculturation Theology in Africa: Historical and Hermeneutical Development,” 530–542, in Handbook of Theological Education in Africa, edited by Isabel Phiri Apawo and Dietrich Werner (Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications, 2013), 531.
    [Show full text]
  • Reception of Jesus As Healer During Early Christianity and Today As Healer During Early Christianity Reception of Jesus Zorodzai Dubezorodzai Dube Edited By
    HTS Religion & Society Series Volume 9 Healer ReceptionHealer of Jesus as healer during Early Christianity and Today Zorodzai Dube (ed.) Edited by Zorodzai Dube HTS Religion & Society Series Volume 9 ReceptionHealer of Jesus as healer during Early Christianity and Today Published by AOSIS Books, an imprint of AOSIS Publishing. AOSIS Publishing 15 Oxford Street, Durbanville 7550, Cape Town, South Africa Postnet Suite #110, Private Bag X19, Durbanville 7551, South Africa Tel: +27 21 975 2602 Website: https://www.aosis.co.za Copyright © Zorodzai Dube (ed.). Licensee: AOSIS (Pty) Ltd The moral right of the authors has been asserted. Cover image: Original design created with the use of free images. Free image used https:// pixabay.com/photos/christian-the-bible-1188200/ is released under Pixabay License. Published in 2020 Impression: 2 ISBN: 978-1-928523-70-3 (print) ISBN: 978-1-928523-71-0 (epub) ISBN: 978-1-928523-72-7 (pdf) DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/aosis.2020.BK222 How to cite this work: Dube, Z. (ed.), 2020, ‘Healer: Reception of Jesus as healer during Early Christianity and Today’, in HTS Religion & Society Series Volume 9, pp. i–240, AOSIS, Cape Town. HTS Religion & Society Series ISSN: 2617-5819 Series Editor: Andries G. van Aarde Printed and bound in South Africa. Listed in OAPEN (http://www.oapen.org), DOAB (http://www.doabooks.org/) and indexed by Google Scholar. Some rights reserved. This is an open access publication. Except where otherwise noted, this work is distributed under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0), a copy of which is available at https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/.
    [Show full text]