“A PUBLISHING LANDMARK . . . ” —John R. Stott “A MONUMENTAL WORK . . . ” —Rick Warren he Africa Bible Commentary is a unique publishing event—the first one-volume Bible “This monumental work of biblical scholarship is filled commentary produced in Africa by African with helpful insights into God’s Word that every pastor, T Bible teacher, and Christian will benefit from. We’ve theologians to meet the needs of African pastors, students, and lay leaders. Interpreting and applying the needed this commentary for a long, long time!” Africa Bible in the light of African cultures and realities today, Rick Warren it furnishes powerful and relevant insights into the Pastor, Saddleback Church ® biblical texts that transcend Africa in their significance. Author, The Purpose Driven Life The Africa Bible Commentary gives a section-by- Bible section interpretation that provides a contextual, readable, “A publishing landmark … Its foundation is biblical, its affordable, and immensely useful guide to the entire perspective African, and its approach to controversial questions balanced. I intend to use it myself in order to Bible. Readers around the world will benefit from gain African insights into the Word of God. Indeed, I hope Commentary and appreciate the commentary’s fresh insights and it will have a worldwide readership.” direct style that engage both heart and mind. —John R. Stott, from the Foreword A One-Volume Commentary KEY FEATURES “A rich and valuable contribution to biblical knowledge Written by 70 African Scholars • Produced by African biblical scholars, and understanding. I commend it to Christian leaders, in Africa, for Africa—and the world not only in Africa but the world over.” • Section-by-section interpretive com- —Justice James Ogenyi Ogebe, mentary and application High Court, Nigeria sampler • More than 70 special articles deal- “A good and readable blend of excellent scholarship, Book of James ing with topics of key impor- heartwarming spirituality, and relevant application. It tance to ministry in Africa challenges African Christianity, and wider, to a neces- today, but that have global sary commitment of heart, mind, and will. Its target implications audience and the wider church will find it to be a useful • 70 African contributors from treasure.” both English- and French- —Dr. Douglas Carew, vice chancellor, Nairobi speaking countries Evangelical Graduate School of Theology • Transcends the African context “This outstanding volume is a landmark for African with insights into the biblical text Christianity. Wherever the Bible is loved and read, this and the Christian faith for readers volume will enhance people’s understanding and appli- worldwide cation of it.” —Dr. Christopher J. H. Wright, international director, GENERAL EDITOR Langham Partnership International DR. TOKUNBOH ADEYEMO is the executive director of the Centre for Biblical Transformation, having served previously as general secretary for the Association of Evangelicals in Africa. He received his ThD from Dallas Theological Seminary and his PhD from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Tokunboh Adeyemo General Editor
ISBN 0-310-27407-9 FOREWORDS BY JOHN R. STOTT AND ROBERT K. ABOAGYE-MENSAH AFRICA BIBLE COMMENTARY
AFRICA BIBLE COMMENTARY
General Editor Tokunboh Adeyemo
Theological Editors Solomon Andria, Issiaka Coulibaly, Tewoldemedhin Habtu, Samuel Ngewa
Theological Advisors Kwame Bediako, Isabel Apawo Phiri, Yusufu Turaki Published for distribution in Africa by WordAlive Publishers, PO Box 4547 GPO-00100 Nairobi, Kenya www.wordalivepublishers.com
Distribution in Africa also provided by Oasis International Ltd. [email protected]
Published for distribution in the rest of the world by The Zondervan Corporation www.zondervan.com
First published in 2006 © ABC Editorial Board, Association of Evangelicals of Africa (AEA)
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means Published– electronic, for distribution mechanical, in Africaphotocopy, by WordAlive recording, Publishers, or any other PO Box – except 4547 forGPO-00100 brief quotations Nairobi, in Kenyaprinted reviews, without the prior permission www.wordalivepublishers.comof the appropriate publisher.
DistributionAll Scripture inquotations, Africa also unless provided otherwise by Oasis indicated, International are taken Ltd. from the Holy Bible: New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, [email protected], 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. ‘NIV’ is a registered trademark of the International Bible Society and is used by permission.
PublishedRequests forfor informationdistribution onin theall otherrest of English the world editions by The should Zondervan be addressed Corporation to Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530, USA www.zondervan.com Requests for information on translations should be addressed to the Piquant Agency, PO Box 83, Carlisle, CA3 9HZ, UK [email protected] published in 2006 www.piquant.net © ABC Editorial Board, Association of Evangelicals of Africa (AEA) Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data has been applied for. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the appropriate publisher.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. ‘NIV’ is a registered trademark of the International Bible Society and is used by permission.
Requests for information on all other English editions should be addressed to Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530, USA
RequestsAfrica Edition for information ISBN-10: 9966-805-78-8 on translations should be addressed to the Piquant Agency, PO Box 83, Carlisle, CA3 9HZ, UK [email protected] Edition ISBN-13: 978-9966-805-78-2www.piquant.net Zondervan Edition ISBN-10: 0-310-26473-1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data has been applied for. ISBNZondervan 10: 0-310-27407-9 Edition ISBN-13: 978-0-310-26473-6
Cover design: Projectluz [email protected] Editorial oversight: Isoword [email protected] Proofreading oversight: Editorial Suite www.editorialsuite.com
Africa Edition ISBN-10: 9966-805-78-8 Africa Edition ISBN-13: 978-9966-805-78-2 Zondervan Edition ISBN-10: 0-310-26473-1 Zondervan Edition ISBN-13: 978-0-310-26473-6
Cover design: Projectluz [email protected] Editorial oversight: Isoword [email protected] Proofreading oversight: Editorial Suite www.editorialsuite.com FOREWORD BY DR JOHN STOTT
The Bible has an indispensable part to play in the church is a publishing landmark, and I congratulate contributors member’s personal discipleship and in the pastor’s preaching and editors on their achievement. Its foundation is biblical, ministry. But this statement assumes that they can under- its perspective African, and its approach to controversial stand it. Hence the wonderful provision of the Africa Bible questions balanced. I intend to use it myself in order to Commentary. One FOREWORDof the most significant recent develop-BY DRgain African JOHN insights intoSTOTT the Word of God. Indeed, I hope ments in the churches of Africa is the rise of soundFOREWORDS biblical it will have a worldwide readership, so that we may better scholarship. The church is fortunate indeed to see this grasp ‘with all God’s people’ the full dimensions of Christ’s Theresurgence Bible has in thean indispensablecontinent that partgave to us play such in interpreters the church islove a publishing(Eph 3:18). landmark, and I congratulate contributors xmember’sas Augustine personal and Athanasius. discipleship andThe inAfrica the pastor’s Bible Commentary preaching and editors on their achievement. Its foundation isJohn biblical, Stott ministry. But this statement assumes that they can under- its perspective African, and its approach toDecember controversial 2005 Acknowledgementsstand it. Hence the wonderful provision of the Africa Bible •questions The editors balanced. for their I sound intend and to eruditeuse it myselfscholarship in order with to a WeCommentary praise God. One for ofall the he mosthas accomplished. significant recent And itdevelop- is also gaintouch African of spiritual insights anointing, into the Word as well of asGod. for Indeed, their selfless, I hope importantments in the that churches we acknowledge of Africa is the the significantrise of sound contribu- biblical it willsacrificial have a service. worldwide readership, so that we may better tionsscholarship. made by Thecertain church organizations is fortunate and individualsindeed to seewithout this •grasp All ‘withsixty-nine all God’s contributors people’ the for full making dimensions history of Christ’s in our whichresurgence the ABC in the could continent not have that been gave born. us such interpreters lovegeneration (Eph 3:18). by producing the first ever one-volume Bible •as TheAugustine AEA for and officially Athanasius. sponsoring The Africa the ABC Bible and Commentary giving the commentary for the church in Africa. John Stott editorial board the academic and management freedom • Zondervan, WordAlive and Oasis for agreeingDecember to publish, 2005 to function.FOREWORD BY DR ABOAGYE-MENSAHdistribute and market the ABC. • SIM for facilitating the logistics and finances required to • Jim Mason, Pieter Kwant, Isobel Stevenson, Krysia Lear, move the process forward to its completion. Maybeth Henderson, Sue Prior and Judy Milasi for your The phenomenal growth of the church in Africa brings with In interpreting the biblical text, the authors have also • NEGST for serving as the academic centre for the ABC, ability to juggle multiple ABC balls without dropping any it many challenges. One of these challenges is how to sus- been able to bring together Christian spirituality and the hosting our meetings, and making its library and other of them. tain the numerical growth while ensuring that the faith of depth of their understanding of African culture and reli- facilities available to visiting scholars. • All those individuals and groups in Africa and around the Christians is firmly grounded in the revealed and written gion. • The Langham Partnership International for providing world who have supported this project in prayer. word of God – the Holy Bible. Grounding the people’s faith in The Africa Bible Commentary will also be useful to Chris- scholarshipsFOREWORD to enable many of our scholars BY to proceedDR ABOAGYE-MENSAH• All those who have given generously to cover the many the Bible requires intensifying the teaching ministry of the tians outside the African continent who want to enrich their on sabbaticals in order to write. expenses incurred in producing the ABC. church. This, in turn, creates a need for appropriate tools to own understanding of the Bible by stepping outside • Institutions of higher learning (including UNISA, GIMPA • Finally, I would like to thank Dr John Stott CBE for assist pastors, seminarians, theologians, lay preachers and their own culture and experience. In so doing, they will gain Theand phenomenal Biola University) growth of and the retreatchurch incentres Africa forbrings hosting with writingIn interpreting a foreword the tobiblical the ABC text, and the Dr authors Robert haveAboagye- also Christian Education teachers to teach effectively. The Africa insights into their own culture as well, for the African schol- it manyABC scholarschallenges. during One their of these sabbaticals. challenges is how to sus- beenMensah, able to Presiding bring together Bishop Christian of the Methodist spirituality Church and the of Bible Commentary written by African theologians has come ars who contributed to the commentary also have a rich and •tain Technical the numerical teams growthin Europe while and ensuring Canada forthat helping the faith with of depthGhana, of their and theunderstanding many others ofwho African have honoured culture andthe ABCreli- at the right time! varied experiences of the life of the church outside Africa. Christiansthe administration, is firmly grounded copyediting, in thetranslation, revealed proofreading, and written gion.with their endorsements. What makes the Africa Bible Commentary unique and I wish to express my deepest appreciation to all those wordtypesetting, of God – the tracking Holy Bible. down Groundingmissing writers, the people’s and the faith like. in OurThe prayerAfrica is Biblethat justCommentary as God usedwill alsohis wordbe useful to ignite to Chris- the relevant is the fact that it has been written by African theo- who contributed to the writing of this commentary and •the The Bible advisors requires for intensifying wise counsel, the penetrating teaching ministry academic of andthe firetians of outside Reformation the African in Europe continent in the who sixteenth want to enrichcentury, their he logians who love the Lord and are committed to the life of enthusiastically recommend it to Christians everywhere church.theological This, in insights turn, creates and invaluable a need for contributions. appropriate tools to willown use understanding the ABC to do ofthe the same Bible in Africa by stepping today. Amen! outside the church. They write out of their matured practical expe- who want to understand the Bible in order to live out and assist pastors, seminarians, theologians, lay preachers and their own culture and experience. In soTokunboh doing, they Adeyemo, will gain rience in teaching the Bible within the Christian community. share their faith. Christian Education teachers to teach effectively. The Africa insights into their own culture as well, for theGeneral African Editor, schol- The content of the commentary can thus be described as Bible Commentary written by African theologians has come ars who contributedThe to Most the commentaryRev. DrAfrica Robert Biblealso K. Aboagye-Mensah have Commentary a rich and tried and tested material that will help others towards at the right time! varied experiences of the life of the church outsideFebruaryPresiding Africa. Bishop2006 ChristianWhat makesmaturity the when Africa prayerfully Bible Commentary used. unique and I wish to express my deepestThe appreciation Methodist Church, to all Ghanathose relevant is the fact that it has been written by African theo- who contributed to the writing of this commentaryFebruary 2006 and logians who love the Lord and are committed to the life of enthusiastically recommend it to Christians everywhere the church. They write out of their matured practical expe- who want to understand the Bible in order to live out and rience in teaching the Bible within the Christian community. share their faith. The content of the commentary can thus be described as The Most Rev. Dr Robert K. Aboagye-Mensah tried and tested material that will help others towardsTHE VISION Presiding Bishop Christian maturity when prayerfully used. The Methodist Church, Ghana Vision statement for the ABC drafted in January 2001 February 2006
The Africa Bible Commentary is a one-volume commentary by its very nature, a major exercise in compression, with a written and edited by African biblical scholars on all the rigorous discipline governing what needs to be included and books of the Bible. The general aim of the commentary is what needs to be omitted. This volume, therefore, does not to make the word of God speak relevantly to African realities delve into critical and exegetical details. Based on the firm today. More especially, it targets Christian leaders at the conviction of and belief in the divine inspiration and authority grassroots level – pastors, students, and lay leaders – who, of Holy Scripture, it seeks to offer the reader a contextual under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, can be instrumental readable and affordable guide. in the establishment and nurture of a vibrant church in the continent. A one-volume commentary on the whole Bible is, The fruit of that vision is now in your hands!
3 GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Everything begins with an idea, a thought, or a concept. Of special benefit are the up-to-date specialist articles As the idea grows, possibilities begin to emerge, riding on dealing with burning issues and problems such as poverty, the wings of creative thinking. It is like the seed in the favouritism, HIV/AIDS, refugees, war, politics and so parable of the Sower that falls on good soil and yields a on. And all this information is in one volume, which is bumper harvest (Matt 13:8). In the case of the Africa Bible easy-to-use, easy to handle, surprisingly light to carry, Commentary (ABC), this harvest has sprung from an idea and very affordable! Even better, it is being published in that began to grow in the minds of a number of African both English and French, and will soon be translated into church leaders and a cross-section of overseas missionary several African languages. partners working in Africa. Using the ABC The History of the ABC What can the ABC be used for? At the top of my list is In September 1994, representatives of Protestant personal devotion. As general editor, I had to critique and churches, both ecumenical and evangelical, gathered correct every manuscript. But after completing this task, in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Second Pan-Africa Christian I began to use the manuscripts for my quiet time. For the Leadership Assembly (PACLA II). At this historic meeting, shorter books, I first read the entire book in the Bible and Christian leaders identified deficient knowledge of the then the commentary on the book. For the longer books, Bible and faulty application of its teaching as the primary I read between five and ten chapters a day and then read weakness of the church in Africa. They recognized that the the corresponding commentary. My spiritual life has been church in Africa was a mile long in terms of quantity, but enriched, and I strongly recommend this approach. only an inch deep in terms of quality. The Bible needed I have also used portions of the ABC for my sermon to be interpreted and explained to the people in familiar preparation and pulpit ministry. While doing this, I have language, using colloquial metaphors, African thought- learned many new things about African peoples of whom forms and nuances, and practical applications that fitted I previously knew nothing. For example, until I read the the African context. After all, God is closer to the people ABC on Leviticus, I did not know about the Iraqw tribe in when he speaks in their language, as St Augustine of Hippo northern Tanzania who are of Semitic extraction and have once said. much in common with the Hebrews. Eventually a dream was born among the leadership of All of the ABC editors are seminary professors. All of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) for an them have used some portions of the ABC as part of their African Bible Commentary produced by seventy African class lectures. In fact, some students at the NEGST who scholars and theologians, male and female, Francophone interacted with my own manuscript on 2 Peter sent me their and Anglophone, who would both explain the text of all comments, expressing their agreement or disagreement sixty-six books in the Bible and apply the Bible’s teaching with what I had said. Such discussion is beneficial for all to contemporary Africa. This commentary is the result of us as we seek to understand and apply God’s Word. of that dream—a fundamental resource for the church in This experience confirms that the ABC will be a powerful Africa. resource book for fellowship group discussions and even for Sunday school classes in churches. I expect to find the ABC in every library of every Bible college, seminary, The Contents of the ABC university and other institution of higher learning The ABC is not a critical, academic, verse-by-verse throughout Africa and beyond. commentary. Rather, it contains section-by-section exegesis I also strongly recommend the ABC to every missionary and explanation of the whole Bible as seen through the working in Africa or intending to serve in Africa as it will eyes of African scholars who respect the integrity of the give them insights into the Scriptures and into Africa that text and use African proverbs, metaphors, and stories to can only benefit their ministry make it speak to African believers in the villages and cities Though the ABC is written by Africans and primarily across the entire continent. The application is both bold for Africans, it can be used with benefit by those who are and faithful. Thus the ABC does not speak of a Black not Africans. In fact, reading the Bible through African Jesus. To do so would be a travesty of the Bible story and lenses may help to inspire others with the dynamism and cheap scholarship. Instead, the ABC is true to the text and excitement that is common in African churches. honest to its context both in Bible days and in our day. The ABC is, in fact, a mini-library that equips pastors Tokunboh Adeyemo, and teachers to teach the churches and encourages students General Editor, Africa Bible Commentary and church members to study God’s word for themselves. February 2006
4 OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE / CONTRIBUTERS
Oversight Committee Kasali, David M. Congo Kassa, Tesfaye D. Ethiopia General Editor Tokunboh Adeyemo Kinoti, George Kenya Theological Editors Solomon Andria Kisau, Paul Mumo Kenya Issiaka Coulibaly Kossé, Kuzuli Congo Tewoldemedhin Koudougueret, Rosalie Central African Habtu Republic Samuel Ngewa Kunhiyop, Samuel Waje Nigeria Theological Advisors Kwame Bediako Larbi, E. Kingsley Ghana Isabel Apawo Phiri Lasisi, Lawrence Adenyi Nigeria Yusufu Turaki Lawanson, Aderemi (Remi) Tesilimi Nigeria Contributers Mautsa, Makoto Lloyd Zimbabwe Milasi, Judith A. Kenya Abate, Eshetu Koyra Ethiopia Mojola, Aloo Osotsi Kenya Aboagye-Mensah, Robert. K. Ghana Muriithi, Sicily Mbura Kenya Adei, Stephen Ghana Musekura, Celestin Rwanda Adeyemo, Tokunboh Nigeria Musibi, Patrick Moses Kenya Adoyo, Bonifes E. Kenya Musopole, Augustine Malawi Afriyie, Ernestina Ghana Mutonono, Dwight S. M. Zimbabwe Ahoga, Augustin Cossi Benin Ndjerareou, Abel Laoundoye Chad Akanni, Gbile Nigeria Ngewa, Samuel M. Kenya Andria (Andriatsimialomananarivo), Ngundu, Onesimus Zimbabwe Solomon Madagascar Njoroge, Nyambura J. Kenya Assohoto, Barnabé Benin Nkansah-Obrempong, James Ghana Bediako, Kwame Ghana Nsiku, Edouard Kitoko Congo Bitrus, Daniel Nigeria Nwankpa, Emeka Nigeria Boniface-Malle, Anastasia Tanzania Obed, Uzodinma Nigeria Carew, M. Douglas Sierra Leone Oginde, David Kenya Chianeque, Luciano C. Angola Okaalet, Peter Uganda Chingota, Felix Lack Malawi Okorocha, Cyril C. Nigeria Choge, Emily J. Kenya Okorocha, Eunice Iheoma Nigeria Cole, Victor Babajide Nigeria Ouédraogo, Adama Burkina Faso Coulibaly, Issiaka Ivory Coast Phiri, Isabel Apawo Malawi Datiri, Dachollom C. Nigeria Pohor, Rubin Ivory Coast Dembele, Youssouf Mali Reggy-Mamo, Mae Alice African-American Famonure, Bayo Nigeria Semenye, Lois Mvuli Kenya Gacece, Solomon Kenya Simfukwe, Joe M. Zambia Githuka, Elias M. Kenya Soungalo, Soro Ivory Coast Gotom, Musa Nigeria Turaki, Yusufu Nigeria Habtu, Tewoldemedhin Eritrea Weanzana, Nupanga Congo Isaak, Paul John Namibia Yilpet, Yoilah Nigeria Kantiok, James B Nigeria Kapolyo, Joe M Zambia
5 vi ARTICLES ARTICLES Power and Accountability Remi Lawanson 1047 Prayer Bonifes Adoyo 1186 Angels, Demons and Powers Priesthood in the Bible Felix Chingota 191 James Nkansah-Obrempong 1454 Principles of Interpretation Samuel Ngewa 1103 Authority and the Bible Patrick M. Musibi, 79 Prophets and Apostles Adama Ouedraogo 1434 Bible Translation in Africa Aloo Osotsi Mojola 1315 Rape Isabel Apawo Phiri 393 Blood Victor Babajide Cole 139 Refugees Celestin Musekura 321 Christians and Politics James B. Kantiok 1001 Religious Pluralism Tokunboh Adeyemo 1532 Christians and the Environment George Kinoti 616 Reward and Retribution Luciano C. Chianeque 851 Christian Education in Africa Lois Semenye 1480 Scripture as the Interpreter of Culture and Tradition Conflict Management Tokunboh Adeyemo 551 Kwame Bediako 3 Cultural Issues and the Biblical Message Secularism and Materialism Yusufu Turaki 791 Eunice Okorocha 1467 Slavery Rubin Pohor 89 Debt Stephen Adei 779 Street Children Solomon Gacece 1240 Democracy Yusufu Turaki 785 Suffering Issiaka Coulibaly 585 Discipleship Tokunboh Adeyemo 1223 Syncretism Lawrence Lasisi 900 Dreams Tokunboh Adeyemo 993 Taboos Ernestina Afriyie 159 Faith And The Search For Signs Adama Ouedraogo 303 Theological Heresy James Nkansah-Obrempong 1553 Family and Community Soro Soungalo 1178 The Ancient Near East M. Douglas Carew 217 Favouritism Soro Soungalo 1511 The Bible Yusufu Turaki 724 Female Genital Mutilation Sicily Mbura Muriithi 37 The Bible and Polygamy Isabel Apawo Phiri 429 Funeral and Burial Rites Joe Simfukwe 1462 The Church and the State Yusufu Turaki 1371 Generosity and Solidarity Solomon Andria 231 The Intertestamental Period Samuel Ngewa 1099 Healing Kingsley Larbi 447 The Place of Traditional Sacrifices Samuel Ngewa 1502 History of Israel Tewoldemedhin Habtu 207 The Role of the Ancestors Yusufu Turaki 480 HIV and AIDS Peter Okaalet 667 The Role of Women in the Church Homosexuality Yusufu Turaki 1355 Nyambura J. Njoroge 1471 Hospitality Emily J. Choge 390 Tribalism, Ethnicity and Race Rubin Pohor 316 House Fellowship Uzodinma Obed 1336 Truth, Justice, Reconciliation and Peace Ideas of Salvation in Other Religions Yusufu Turaki 875 Tokunboh Adeyemo 1353 Unity of Believers Kuzuli Kossé 1288 Indigenous Missions Bayo Famonure 1348 Violence Yusufu Turaki 1043 Initiation Rites Judith A. Milasi 101 War Robert Aboagye-Mensah 967 Idolatry Emeka Nwankpa 840 Wealth and Poverty Stephen Adei 762 Intertestamental Period Samuel Ngewa 1099 Weddings and Lobola Isabel Apawo Phiri 799 Introduction to the Pentateuch Abel Ndjerareou 7 What Is the Church? Samuel Ngewa 1431 Introduction to the Prophets Yoilah Yilpet 805 Widows and Orphans Mae Alice Reggy-Mamo 817 Introduction to the Wisdom Literature Widow Inheritance Mae Alice Reggy-Mamo 323 Tewoldemedhin Habtu 569 Witchcraft Samuel Waje Kunhiyop 374 Jews and Gentiles David Oginde 82 Worship and Praise Tokunboh Adeyemo 251 Land Yahweh and Other Gods Abel Ndjerareou 861 Dwight S.M. Mutonono and Makoto L. Mautsa 290 Leadership Tokunboh Adeyemo 546 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Legalism Samuel Ngewa 1421 Life and Doctrine Samuel Ngewa 1444 Glossary 1581 Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage Samuel Ngewa 1149 Kings of Israel and Judah 412 New Family Relationships Soro Soungalo 12 Prophets to Israel and Judah 807 Persecution Elias M. Githuka 1564 Some Web Resources 1586
6 SCRIPTURE AS THE INTERPRETER OF CULTURE AND TRADITION
The Africa Bible Commentary attempts to relate the Scriptures points us in the direction we are to take if we are to reach our and African cultures and in so doing to seek ways in which destination. This understanding is one that the early preachers the gospel may be seen to be relevant to African cultures. of the gospel stressed when they so often used the phrase As we do this, we as readers and as writers need to avoid ‘according to the Scriptures’. Paul reminds Timothy of the oversimplifications about the nature of this relationship. guiding role of Scripture (2 Tim 3:16). He demonstrates its use when he recounts part of the history of the Israelites and What Is Culture? concludes, ‘These things happened to them as examples and Culture comprises far more than just music, dance, artefacts were written down as warnings for us’ (1 Cor 10:1-11). and the like. Our culture is our world view, that is, fundamental Too often, preachers tend to pick a particular text and to our understanding of who we are, where we have come use it as a launch pad for presenting their own ideas, but from and where we are going. It is everything in us and around apostolic preaching was not like that. It presented the us that defines us and shapes us. When we turn to Christ as meaning of Scripture as a whole and applied that meaning to Lord, we are turning over to him all that is in us, all that is the concrete cultural and social situation of the hearers. That about us and all that is around us that has defined and shaped is what we have to do if Scripture is to be the road map for us. Thus salvation encompasses not just our ‘souls’, but also getting us to our destination. our culture at its deepest level. We need to allow Scripture to become the interpreter of who we are in the specific concrete Scripture Is Our History sense of who we are in our cultures and traditions. All the references to Scripture in the New Testament relate to the Old Testament, although the majority of those What Is Scripture? addressed would have been Gentiles, who did not share the But acknowledging the centrality of Scripture to our identity Jews’ cultural background. Yet, Paul refers to ‘our forefathers’ does not mean that we demonize our own traditional culture when speaking to Gentile Corinthians (1 Cor 10:1). Israel’s or learn to quote certain verses and chapters as proof texts history had become their ‘adoptive’ history, for all believers to support particular positions we hold because of our in Christ become children of Abraham (Gal 3:26-29) and are denominational or traditional background. The centrality grafted into the original olive tree (Rom 11:7-20). And all of Scripture is more fundamental and its significance much believers were slaves who have been set free (Gal 4:7). All of larger than that. us have been adopted into Christ, with our traditions, and are therefore transformed, with our traditions. The God of Israel is Scripture Is a Prism not a tribal God but the God who created all humanity. When light passes through a prism, a rainbow of colours is revealed. Similarly, when our cultures pass through the Scripture Is the Basis of Our Identity prism of Scripture, we see them in a new way. The light and The earliest church was tempted to see Gentile Christians as shade intrinsic to our cultures are revealed. We are no longer second-class Jews, latecomers. But at the Council of Jerusalem being defined by our traditions, but are allowing Scripture to (Acts 15) the apostles recognized that God was doing interpret those traditions. something new. Paul makes the same point when he writes as if there are now three categories of persons: Jews, Gentiles Scripture Is a Record of God’s Engagement with Culture and something new, called the church of God (1 Cor 10:32; Scripture is more than just a record of the history and religion 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 2:14-18). of Israel and the early church. Rather, it records God’s dealings In the early decades of the church, some Christian writers with his people and with their culture, and is itself the fruit spoke of Christians as a third race. The first race was the Jews; of that engagement. It thus provides a yardstick or a model the second, the Gentiles; and the third was the Christians. The for encouraging, identifying and controlling all subsequent basis of this new identity was religious, not ethnic, national, engagements of gospel and culture in the continuing social or cultural in the narrow sense. We have become ‘a divine-human encounter that characterizes our faith. kingdom of priests to serve God and his father’ (Rev 1:5-6; 1 Pet 2:9-10). Scripture Is a Road Map Scripture is the authoritative road map on our journey of Scripture Is Our Story faith, a journey that began before we first believed in Christ. Scripture is not just a holy book from which we extract This road map reminds us that the journey we are on did teaching and biblical principles. Rather, it is a story in which not begin at the point when we ourselves received the map. we participate. When David Livingstone preached in Africa in By looking at the map in Scripture, we can see where we the nineteenth century, he is said to have always referred to have come from and how we got to where we are. It also the Bible as the ‘message from the God whom you know’. In
7 4
other words, Scripture speaks to us because Scripture speaks by nothing less than Christ himself Natural Adaptive about us. And it speaks about us because we are a part of the (Eph 4:13). gospel we preach. Paul was very aware of this. He emphasized Scripture and culture are like that God had had mercy on him, and now he was called to merging circles, gradually coming to preach to others (1 Cor 15:8-11). have one centre as we increasingly Africans have a strong sense of their pre-Christian religious recognize ourselves in Scripture and journey and should be alive to this participation in Scripture. Scripture becomes more and more This was certainly true of the Liberian prophet William Wadé recognizable as our story. Harris (1865-1929). He was the first distinctive African The process of bringing the gospel Christian prophet of modern times, and a man who brought and culture together takes more than one many people into the church. Harris cut himself off from his generation. To look for a once and for all Grebo life and family in a radical conversion, but he did not biblical ‘answer’ to a particular cultural live without ancestors or a community. He simply changed problem is to misunderstand the process his family connections to those based on faith in Christ as whereby a community and people come known through the Scriptures. His was a spirituality of vital to see themselves as called into the people participation totally indigenous to his African way of being of God and come to participate in that within a community. He did not think in terms of what Moses community. saw or Jesus did in the Bible, but of how his new ancestors, The process takes several generations, both ancient Moses, Elijah, and supremely Jesus Christ, interacted with and modern. All the endeavours of believers from many him. That was how he broke through to many people and backgrounds wrestling with gospel and culture are an they became Christians. integral part of our story. To fully understand the impact of In African culture, participation in a common life constitutes the gospel engaging with any particular cultural environment community and marks out an ethnic group. When a libation is we need to know of the struggle of ancient Israel to come to poured, the community recites the names of all those who are terms with the uniqueness and the majesty of Yahweh, their absent, treating them as present. Traditional believers summon backslidings, apostasy, calamity, tragedy and triumphs. We their ancestors, and they believe that these ancestors are also need to know how African earth shrines relate to God’s present at the ceremony that follows. (Do we have a similar way. We need to know how the gospel was brought from confidence that Jesus is present when we pray?) Alexandria to Axum, how it was taken from Ireland to the In Christian terms, we participate in Christ, and thus English, how it was taken from south-eastern Ghana to the also in the resources and powers of the entire community Upper East Region. No part of the story of the people of God composed of those who are also one with Christ through the is alien to any other part of the story or is more important Spirit. This community includes both the living and the dead than any other part. The gospel has no permanent resident (Luke 20:33-38). It is a transcendent community in which the culture. It is as we take the experiences and the struggle in human components experience and share in the divine life one context and funnel them through our own reading and and nature (2 Pet 1:4). experience of the Scripture in our mother tongue that we find that other Christian stories illuminate our story. Bringing Scripture and Culture Together We should not focus on extracting principles from the Bible Scripture, Language and Culture and applying these to culture. Scripture is not a book existing Mother-tongue Scripture has a fundamental place in the independently of us. Scripture is the living testimony to engagement of gospel and culture. If people recognize that what God has done and continues to do, and we are part Onyankopon (as God is called by the Akan of Ghana), the of that testimony. The characters in Scripture are both our God they have known from time immemorial, is their Saviour, contemporaries and our ancestors. Their triumphs and failures and that the coming of the gospel is what they have looked help us understand our own journey of faith (Rom 11:18). forward to, then God is continuing to ensure that they will Scripture is not something we only believe in, it is something hear him each in their own language so that they can marvel we share in. This is why the people in the Bible will not be at his majesty and his love for them. Our mother tongue is made perfect without us (Heb 11:40), nor we without them. the language in which God speaks to each of us. He does The application of Scripture to our cultures is a gradual not speak in a sacred language, but in ordinary language, so process of coming together, of life touching life. Our particular that we may hear him and realize that this gospel is about us culture encounters the activity of God in building up a and that we have been invited to join a company drawn from community of his people throughout history, a community every people, tribe, tongue, nation and language (Rev 7:9). that now includes us and our particular traditions, history Kwame Bediako and culture. We will gradually come to share in a family (Adapted from Kwame Bediako, ‘Scripture as the Hermeneutic of Culture and Tradition’, likeness that is not measured by ethnic particularity but Journal of African Christian Thought, Vol. 4, No. 1 [June 2001], pp. 2-11.)
8 *!-%3
4HIS LETTER OF *AMES DEALS WITH HOW #HRISTIANS SHOULD #/--%.4!29 BEHAVE IN THE CHURCH AND IN SOCIETY )T SPEAKS OF THE CON DUCT THAT SHOULD CHARACTERIZE A #HRISTIAN "ECAUSE OF ITS STRESS ON HOW #HRISTIANS SHOULD ACT SOME GREAT THEOLO 'REETINGS GIANS SUCH AS ,UTHER THOUGHT THAT *AMES WAS TEACHING 4HE AUTHOR IDENTIFIES HIMSELF AS *AMES A (E CANNOT BE SALVATION BY WORKS 4HIS SUPPOSED CONFLICT WITH 0AULS *AMES THE SON OF :EBEDEE SINCE HE DIED PREMATURELY !CTS TEACHING THAT SALVATION WAS BY FAITH LED THEM TO QUESTION NOR *AMES THE SON OF !LPHAEUS ABOUT WHOM THE .4 THE AUTHENTICITY OF THIS LETTER "UT LIKE THE ANCIENT CHURCH GIVES LITTLE INFORMATION )T IS THUS LIKELY THAT THE AUTHOR THESE THEOLOGIANS ENDED UP RECOGNIZING THAT *AMES WAS IS *AMES THE BROTHER OF *ESUS WHO WAS ONE OF THE PILLARS ALSO DIVINELY INSPIRED 4HEY CAME TO SEE THAT THE WRITINGS OF THE *ERUSALEM CHURCH 'AL !CTS (E AND OF *AMES AND 0AUL COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER MARVELLOUSLY 0ETER MAY BE THOUGHT OF AS REPRESENTING #HRISTIANS WITH A FOR WHILE FAITH IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR OUR SALVATION WORKS *EWISH BACKGROUND WHILE 0AUL REPRESENTS THOSE #HRISTIANS CONFIRM THE AUTHENTICITY OF OUR FAITH WHO HAD COME FROM A PAGAN BACKGROUND 4HESE TWO GROUPS OF #HRISTIANS COMPLEMENTED EACH OTHER RATHER THAN OPPOS ING ONE ANOTHER /UTLINE OF #ONTENTS 4HE LETTER IS ADDRESSED TO THE TWELVE TRIBES SCATTERED AMONG THE NATIONS B THAT IS TO *EWISH #HRISTIANS LIVING OUTSIDE 'REETINGS 0ALESTINE 4HE CONQUEST OF )SRAEL AND THE DEPORTATIONS OF 4RIALS *EWS HAD RESULTED IN THERE BEING MANY *EWISH COMMUNITIES IN THE LANDS SURROUNDING THE -EDITERRANEAN 3EA AND EVEN ! 2EQUIREMENT FOR &AITH BEYOND THAT )T WAS THESE COMMUNITIES THAT HAD FOUNDED THE 2ESISTING THE 4EMPTATIONS OF 2ICHES SYNAGOGUES IN WHICH 0AUL OFTEN PREACHED SEE FOR EXAM 7HY $OES 'OD !LLOW 4EMPTATION PLE !CTS 4HESE COMMUNITIES WOULD ALSO HAVE INCLUDED *EWISH #HRISTIANS WHO HAD FLED PERSECUTION &ROM (EARING TO $OING THE 7ORD IN 0ALESTINE 4HIS *EWISH AUDIENCE IS APPARENT IN THE LAN ,EARNING TO ,ISTEN GUAGE THE AUTHOR USES (E WRITES IN 'REEK LIKE ALL THE .4 4RUE 2ELIGION AS /PPOSED TO &ALSE 2ELIGION AUTHORS BUT THE IMAGES AND EXAMPLES HE USES AND SOME OF &AITH AND &AVOURITISM THE WORDS HE CHOOSES REMIND US OF THE /4 &AITH IN !CTION IN THE &ACE OF .OMINAL "ELIEF 4HE UNIVERSAL QUALITY OF THE CHURCH IS ALREADY APPARENT #ONSIDERED 6ERSUS (ASTY 3PEECH IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF THESE READERS ,IKE 0AUL *AMES COULD #ONFLICTS AND 3IN HAVE ADDRESSED HIS LETTER TO @THE CHURCH OF *ESUS #HRIST IN %UROPE AND IN !SIA -INOR 4HE *UDGMENT OF THE 2ICH (OPE 4RIALS 4RUTH 4RUE #HRISTIAN #OMMUNITIES ! 2EQUIREMENT FOR &AITH 2ESPOND TO *OY AND 3ORROW 4HE AUTHOR COMES ACROSS AS A PREACHER TALKING TO PEOPLE IN #ARE FOR THE 3ICK FRONT OF HIM RATHER THAN AS AN AUTHOR WRITING A LETTER %ACH #ARE FOR THE ,OST TIME HE TACKLES A NEW SUBJECT HE BEGINS WITH THE EXPRESSION MY BROTHERS OR MY DEAR BROTHERS SEE FOR EXAMPLE 4HE FIRST SUBJECT HE DEALS WITH IS THE PROBLEM OF TEMPTATION AND TRIALS "UT HE DOES NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION OF HOW TO RESIST TEMPTATIONS OR HOW TO ENDURE TRIALS 2ATHER HE SIM PLY AFFIRMS THAT RESISTING TEMPTATIONS AND ENDURING TRIALS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR FAITH AND RESULTS IN SPIRITUAL GROWTH )T WILL MAKE US MATURE AND COMPLETE HE SAYS 4HIS EXPLANA TION HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE MUST REJOICE WHEN WE PASS THROUGH TRIALS
9 *AMES n
!S FAR AS THIS AUTHOR IS CONCERNED FAITH IS NOT A THEORETI LIFE CANNOT BE BASED ON RICHES )N THE LONG RUN THE RICH HAVE CAL MATTER WITH A LIST OF DOGMAS TO RECITE OR EVEN BEAUTIFUL NO ADVANTAGE OVER THE POOR DOCTRINE TO DEFEND (E SEES IT AS A PRACTICAL MATTER THAT EXPRESSES ITSELF IN DAILY LIFE AND ESPECIALLY IN HOW WE 7HY $OES 'OD !LLOW 4EMPTATION RESPOND TO TRIALS 7E CAN WELL IMAGINE THAT THE #HRISTIANS *AMES NEXT TURNS TO THE SUBJECT OF WHAT IS AT THE ROOT OF TO WHOM HE WAS WRITING WERE CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO VARI TEMPTATIONS AND WHY 'OD ALLOWS TESTS 7HEN DISCUSSING OUS TEMPTATIONS PERHAPS MORE SO THAN THOSE WHO REMAINED THIS SUBJECT IT IS IMPORTANT TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN TWO CON IN 0ALESTINE 4HEY WERE FAR FROM THE OFFICIAL CHURCH LEAD CEPTS THAT ARE BOTH EXPRESSED BY THE SAME 'REEK WORD 4HE ERS IN *ERUSALEM 4HUS THE AUTHOR STARTS HIS LETTER WITH THIS FIRST CONCEPT IS TESTING WHICH 'OD ALLOWS TO STRENGTHEN HIS SUBJECT BECAUSE FALLING VICTIM TO TEMPTATION HAS DANGEROUS CHILDREN SO THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE 4HE EFFECTS ON A #HRISTIANS DAILY LIFE SECOND CONCEPT IS TEMPTATION WHICH COMES FROM THE DEVIL ,IVING A NORMAL #HRISTIAN LIFE ESPECIALLY IN THE FACE OF AND AIMS TO MAKE 'ODS CHILDREN FAIL )T WAS TESTING THAT TEMPTATIONS DEMANDS WISDOM n THAT IS THE ABILITY WAS BEING DEALT WITH IN WHERE *AMES SAID THAT THE GOAL TO DISTINGUISH GOOD FROM EVIL TRUTH FROM FALSEHOOD AND OF TRIALS WAS TO MAKE 'ODS CHILDREN @MATURE AND COMPLETE THE IMPORTANT FROM THE USELESS AND TO MAKE TIMELY DECI SIONS THAT CONFORM TO WHAT IS RIGHT 7ISDOM IS NOT NATURAL 4EMPTING HOWEVER IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MATTER 'OD TO HUMAN BEINGS IT IS LEARNED 4HEREFORE WE MUST ASK FOR MAY TEST BUT HE NEVER TEMPTS 4HERE IS NO WAY IN WHICH IT WITHOUT DOUBTING THE LOVE OF 'OD WHO ALWAYS ANSWERS 'OD CAN BE THE SOURCE OF EVIL OR OF OUR MISFORTUNES PRAYER )T GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT AT THE HEART OF THIS /N THE CONTRARY HE IS THE SOURCE OF EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT PRAYER WE MUST HAVE ACTIVE FAITH 7ILL 'OD ANSWER GIFT (E IS FAITHFUL AND DOES NOT CHANGE AND SO HE THE PRAYER OF THE PERSON WHO HESITATES OR WAFFLES $OES CAN BE TRUSTED TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PLAN FOR OUR GOOD SUCH A PERSON HAVE TRUE FAITH 4EMPTATIONS COME WHEN WE ENTERTAIN EVIL DESIRES 4HESE 4HE REFERENCE TO WISDOM MAKES US AWARE THAT IN MANY DESIRES LEAD US TO COMMIT SIN THAT IS ACTS THAT DISHONOUR WAYS THIS LETTER RESEMBLES THE WISDOM LITERATURE IN THE /4 'OD AND LEAD TO DEATH 7E NEED TO SEEK OUT AND "OOKS LIKE 0ROVERBS ALSO GIVE ADVICE ON HOW TO LIVE "UT DESTROY THE SEEDS OF ENVY AND LUST AND CREATE A HEALTHY *AMES IS LESS INTERESTED IN GENERAL ADVICE FOR LIVING THAN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE VARIOUS KINDS OF EVIL DESIRES CAN IN HELPING HIS READERS TO RELATE THEIR FAITH TO EVERYDAY SITU NOT THRIVE ATIONS 7HILE HIS ADVICE MAY SEEM TO BE DISJOINTED AT FIRST 3OME MAY DOUBT THE FAITHFULNESS OF 'OD IN MOMENTS OF GLANCE ON REREADING THE LETTER ONE DISCOVERS HOW THE DIFFER TESTING AND TRIAL SO *AMES REMINDS THEM THAT 'OD HAS CHO ENT PARTS ARE CONNECTED SEN TO GIVE US BIRTH THROUGH THE WORD OF TRUTH WHICH MEANS THAT HE HAS MADE US HIS CHILDREN SO THAT WE MAY BE 2ESISTING THE 4EMPTATIONS OF 2ICHES A KIND OF FIRSTFRUITS OF ALL HE CREATED 7E WILL BE THE PEAK OF 4HE FIRST EVERYDAY SITUATION TO WHICH *AMES SPEAKS IS THAT HIS CREATION AS WE WERE IN THE TIME BEFORE THE FALL 7HAT OF CONCERN ABOUT SOCIAL STATUS 3OME OF THOSE TO WHOM HE A PRIVILEGE WRITES ARE IN HUMBLE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT IS THEY ARE POOR WITH LOW SOCIAL STATUS AND MAY BE TEMPTED TO ENVY THE RICH *AMES REMINDS THESE POOR BELIEVERS THAT THEIR REAL &ROM (EARING TO $OING THE 7ORD VALUE IS NOT BASED ON WHAT THEY HAVE 'OD HAS ACCEPTED THEM INTO HIS FAMILY AND SO THEY OCCUPY A HIGH POSITION ,EARNING TO ,ISTEN 4HEY NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THOSE WHOM THE WORLD SEES AS (ERE THE AUTHOR TURNS TO ANOTHER SUBJECT AGAIN INTRODUCING GREAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY GREAT IN 'ODS EYES )N FACT RICHES IT WITH THE EXPRESSION MY DEAR BROTHERS BECAUSE HE WISHES TO CAN BE A TEMPTATION FOR #HRISTIANS BECAUSE IT IS EASY TO TRUST BUILD A TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS READERS AND TO ADDRESS IN THEM FOR SECURITY RATHER THAN IN 'OD THEM DIRECTLY 4HE SUBJECT HE IS DEALING WITH HERE 4HOSE WHO ARE RICH AND BELONG TO THE UPPER CLASS OF SOCI IS THE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ONE OF LEARNING TO LISTEN WHEN ETY WOULD BE WISE TO BE PREPARED FOR A FALL AND A DROP IN FACED WITH ALL KINDS OF ETHICAL CONFUSION -OST OF HIS ADVICE STATUS 4HE FALL OF RICH PEOPLE IS VERY COMMON IN !FRICA IN THIS LETTER CENTRES ON THIS SUBJECT *AMES DESCRIBES THE LIFE OF A RICH PERSON AS BEING LIKE A WILD 7HAT THEY ARE TO LISTEN TO IS THE WORD WHICH FLOWER THAT BLOSSOMS FOR A WHILE AND THEN FADES FOR EVER INCLUDES THE ,AW THE 0ROPHETS AND THE 7RITINGS 4HOSE WHO 4HE RICH WILL DIE JUST LIKE THE POOR SPEAK QUICKLY ARE LIKELY SLOW TO LISTEN 4HEY TEND TO 7HEN THE AUTHOR SPEAKS OF THE RAISING OF THE POOR AND BECOME ANGRY AND DO NOT PUT THE WORD INTO PRACTICE 4HEY THE BRINGING DOWN OF THE RICH HE IS NOT ENDORSING A STRUG DO NOT ACCOMPLISH WHAT THE WORD TEACHES 4O ACCOMPLISH GLE FOR A CLASSLESS SOCIETY (E DOES NOT CONDEMN THE RICH THE WORD IS TO TRANSFORM INTO ACTION WHAT WE HAVE HEARD BECAUSE THEY ARE RICH (E SIMPLY WANTS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT AND UNDERSTOOD
10 *AMES n
4RUE 2ELIGION AS /PPOSED TO &ALSE 2ELIGION )F WE STOP PARTWAY THROUGH THE LISTENING PROCESS WE WILL 4HE AUTHORS THEOLOGY OF LISTENING INCLUDES A PROCESS LISTEN FAIL AND WILL LIVE DISORDERED LIVES (OWEVER IF WE FOLLOW ALL x GET RID OF ALL MORAL FILTH x ACCEPT THE WORD AND DO WHAT THE STEPS AND PUT THE WORD THAT WE HEAR INTO PRACTICE WE IT SAYS )T IS POSSIBLE TO LISTEN TO THE WORD WITH WILL BE BLESSED !FTER ALL 'OD DID NOT GIVE HIS LAW TO OUT ACCEPTING IT IF WE DO NOT PAY ANY ATTENTION TO WHAT WE RESTRICT PEOPLES FREEDOM OR TO ESTRANGE THEM BUT TO REGU ARE HEARING OR LISTEN ONLY TO THE PARTS THAT PLEASE US 4HE LATE DAILY LIFE AND MAKE IT JOYFUL IMAGE OF A MIRROR ILLUSTRATES THE POINT WELL 7HEN -OST OF THE *EWS @SCATTERED AMONG THE NATIONS WERE THIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN MIRRORS WERE MADE OF HIGHLY POL RELIGIOUS (OWEVER *AMES CONDEMNS THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE ISHED METAL NOT GLASS AND SO A PERSONS REFLECTION WAS NOT RELIGIOUS BUT DO NOT CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH PUTTING THEIR AS CLEAR AND SHARP AS IT IS IN MODERN MIRRORS 4HAT IS WHY BELIEFS INTO PRACTICE 7ITHOUT ACTION GOOD DOCTRINE SOMEONE LOOKING AT THEIR FACE IN THE MIRROR WOULD HAVE TO IS USELESS 0URE RELIGION SHOWS ITSELF IN BEHAVIOUR (E GIVES DO SO INTENTLY -OREOVER A MIRROR ONLY GIVES A FLAT IMAGE AN EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF BEHAVIOUR HE HAS IN MIND LOOKING NEVER A THREE DIMENSIONAL ONE THAT SHOWS ALL SIDES OF THE AFTER ORPHANS AND WIDOWS 4HIS EXAMPLE DERIVES FROM OBJECT BEING REFLECTED )F WE ONLY GLANCE AT THE 3CRIPTURES IN THE /4 WHICH COMMANDED 'ODS PEOPLE TO CARE FOR THOSE A SUPERFICIAL MANNER WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT 'OD IS WHO HAD NO ONE TO SUPPORT THEM FINANCIALLY /RPHANS HAD SHOWING US THERE OR GET A GOOD ENOUGH GRASP OF WHAT 'OD NO FATHERS WIDOWS NO HUSBANDS AND FOREIGNERS NO LAND TO IS REALLY SAYING TO BE ABLE TO PUT HIS WILL INTO PRACTICE 4HE CULTIVATE *AMES DOES NOT MENTION FOREIGNERS IN THIS LETTER SAME TRUTH APPLIES WHEN WE WALK OUT OF A CHURCH SERVICE BECAUSE THE #HRISTIAN *EWS TO WHOM THIS LETTER IS ADDRESSED AND SAY @4HAT WAS A GOOD SERMON 4OO OFTEN WE FORGET THE WERE ALL FOREIGNERS THEMSELVES CONTENT OF THE SERMON SIMPLY BECAUSE WE MAKE NO EFFORT TO "UT PURE RELIGION IS NOT JUST A NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANI THINK ABOUT IT OR UNDERSTAND IT THOROUGHLY 7E NEED TO MAKE ZATION AN .'/ DOING SOCIAL WORK 4HE WORK DONE BY AN EFFORT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WORD IS SAYING AND BELIEVERS IS THE PRODUCT OF THEIR FAITH AND THE RELIGION IS AFTER HAVING EXAMINED AND UNDERSTOOD WHAT THE WORD SAYS CHARACTERIZED BY THE HOLY LIVES OF ITS MEMBERS "RIEFLY PUT WE MUST APPROPRIATE IT AND INTEGRATE IT INTO OUR LIVES THE WORD MUST PRODUCE IN US ACTS THAT PROVE OUR RELATION SHIP TO 'OD AND A WAY OF LIFE THAT GLORIFIES HIM
&!6/52)4)3- COMMODITY )N THIS CASE FAVOURITISM IS NOT JUST A SPECK IN SOMEONES EYE BUT A PLANK SEE -ATT 7E ALL REGULARLY ENCOUNTER FAVOURITISM 3OMETIMES WE SUFFER 4HERE ARE ALSO MORE SUBTLE FORMS OF FAVOURITISM &OR BECAUSE OF IT SOMETIMES WE BENEFIT FROM IT "UT IT IS ONLY EXAMPLE THE LINE BETWEEN FAVOURITISM AND HONOUR IS NOT WHEN WE ARE THE VICTIMS THAT WE CONDEMN IT )T IS EASY TO ALWAYS CLEAR 7E OWE HONOUR AND RESPECT TO THOSE WHOSE BENEFIT FROM FAVOURITISM WITHOUT EVEN BEING AWARE OF IT POSITIONS MERIT IT 2OM 4HUS IT IS RIGHT FOR US IN !FRICA &AVOURITISM MANIFESTS ITSELF IN VARIOUS WAYS &OR EXAMPLE TO SHOW RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY 4IM 4HERE IS NO SOMEONE MAY BE GIVEN SOMETHING THEY DO NOT DESERVE FAVOURITISM WHEN PEOPLE ARE GIVEN WHAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE RELATIVES OF OR COME FROM THE SAME "UT IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO TELL WHERE THIS JUSTIFIED RESPECT MOVES VILLAGE OR THE SAME ETHNIC GROUP AS THE GIVER 3UCH NEPOTISM OVER INTO FAVOURITISM )T IS ALL TOO EASY TO SHOW FAVOURITISM IS FREQUENT IN !FRICA 5NFORTUNATELY IT IS ALSO EVIDENT IN THE UNDER THE PRETENCE THAT ONE IS MERELY HONOURING SOMEONE )N CHURCH WHERE PEOPLE ARE SOMETIMES GIVEN POSITIONS BECAUSE THE !FRICAN CONTEXT RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY AND FOR AUTHORITY THEY ARE RECOMMENDED BY AN AUTHORITY FIGURE A POLITICAL MAY EASILY LEAD TO THIS TYPE OF FAVOURITISM AND THE PERSON OFFICIAL OR EVEN THE LEADER OF A DENOMINATION RECEIVING THE FAVOURS MAY ENJOY THEM AND SEE NOTHING WRONG &AVOURITISM IS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE CHEAT AND WITH ACCEPTING THEM (OWEVER THOSE WHO ARE IN POSITIONS RECEIVE SOMETHING AT SOMEONE ELSES EXPENSE &OR EXAMPLE OF HONOUR AND AUTHORITY NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE DANGER SOME PATIENTS GET PRIORITY CARE IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS BECAUSE THAT THE TREATMENT THEY ARE RECEIVING IS ACTUALLY UNMERITED THEY ARE RELATED TO OR KNOW THE DOCTOR WHILE OTHERS WHO FAVOURITISM WERE THERE EARLIER MUST WAIT 4HIS IS FAVOURITISM BECAUSE IT 4HE FIGHT AGAINST FAVOURITISM IS A MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR IS DISCRIMINATION 4HE TREATMENT THAT IS BEING GIVEN TO THEM #HRISTIANS WHO ARE IN POSITIONS WHERE IT IS ALWAYS PRESENT IS BEING WITHHELD FROM THOSE WHO ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH 4HEY SHOULD MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO LIVE AS #HRISTIANS IN A A PROMINENT PERSON OR WHO ARE SIMPLY POOR "UT EVERYONE WAY THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM THOSE AROUND THEM BECAUSE THEY SHOULD BE TREATED EQUALLY *AMES DENOUNCES DISCRIMINATION ARE CALLED TO BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD AND THE SALT OF THE EARTH AND REMINDS US THAT 'OD MAKES NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN -ATT "UT WHAT CAN BE DONE IF THE SALT HAS LOST ITS PEOPLE BUT TREATS US ALL IN THE SAME WAY *AS SALTINESS &AVOURITISM EASILY BECOMES CORRUPTION ! FAVOUR MAY 3ORO 3OUNGALO BE GIVEN IN EXCHANGE FOR A BRIBE OF MONEY OR SOME OTHER
11 *AMES n
&AITH AND &AVOURITISM *AMES ENCOURAGES THE BELIEVERS TO BE CAREFUL IN THEIR !S PART OF PUTTING THE WORD INTO PRACTICE THE AUTHOR WARNS RELATIONSHIPS BECAUSE ONE DAY THEY WILL HAVE TO GIVE 'OD HIS READERS AGAINST FAVOURITISM (E WARNS THAT IF THEY AN ACCOUNT OF WHAT THEY HAVE DONE AND WILL BE JUDGED NOT ARE GUILTY OF DISCRIMINATION THEY ARE DISOBEYING THE WORD ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF -OSES BUT BY THE LAW THAT GIVES FREE 4HE SPECIFIC ISSUE HERE IS DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN THE DOM (E WARNS THEM THAT 'OD WILL JUDGE THOSE WHO RICH AND THE POOR IN THEIR MEETINGS 4HESE MEETINGS DISCRIMINATE 3OMEONE WHO SHOWS FAVOURITISM INSULTS THE WERE PROBABLY HELD IN A SYNAGOGUE RATHER THAN IN A CHURCH DIGNITY OF OTHERS AND JUDGES THEM 4HAT PERSON WILL IN TURN FOR AT THAT TIME MOST CONVERTED *EWS STILL PROBABLY ATTENDED BE JUDGED BY 'OD SYNAGOGUES 4HIS PRACTICE CONTINUED UNTIL THE RABBIS MET AT &AITH IN !CTION IN THE &ACE OF .OMINAL "ELIEF *AMNIA IN !$ AND DECLARED A CLEAR AND PERMANENT SEPARA TION BETWEEN *UDAISM AND #HRISTIANITY *AMNIA WAS ALSO THE 4HIS PART OF THE LETTER IS WELL KNOWN TO #HRISTIANS TODAY AND PLACE WHERE THE RABBIS FINALIZED THE CANON OF THE /4 WAS THE SECTION THAT SO TROUBLED THE GREAT REFORMER -AR 4HE AUTHOR PRESENTS A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION IN WHICH TIN ,UTHER SEE THE )NTRODUCTION (OWEVER IN CONSIDERING A RICH AND A POOR MAN COME INTO A MEETING 4HERE WHETHER *AMES IS INDEED TEACHING SALVATION BY WORKS IN WOULD BE NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THIS FOR THERE WERE CER WE NEED TO REMEMBER WHEN THIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN TAINLY RICH BELIEVERS )F THE ATTITUDE OF THE LEADERS )T WAS PROBABLY WRITTEN TOWARDS THE END OF THE FIRST CENTURY WAS TO FAVOUR THE RICH TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE POOR THEY BY WHICH TIME 0AULS TEACHING ON JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH WOULD WERE GUILTY OF DISCRIMINATION WHICH *AMES CONDEMNS AS HAVE BEEN WIDELY KNOWN SINCE 0AULS LETTERS HAD BEEN OFFENSIVE 4HE SIN IS IN THE FACT THAT THESE LEADERS WRITTEN DECADES EARLIER (OWEVER SOME #HRISTIANS IN THE WHOM THE AUTHOR CALLS MY DEAR BROTHERS A HAVE SET GENERATION FOLLOWING 0AUL WERE MISINTERPRETING THE DOCTRINE THEMSELVES UP AS JUDGES BY ELEVATING THE RICH AND INSULTING OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH AND EVEN TWISTING IT BY CLAIMING THAT THE DIGNITY OF THE POOR A 'OD IS ON THE SIDE OF THE POOR WORKS WERE NO LONGER IMPORTANT 3O *AMES IS NOT OPPOSING NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE POOR BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE RESPONSIVE 0AUL )N FACT HE PLACES MORE STRESS ON AUTHENTIC FAITH THAN TO HIM AND ARE NEAR THE +INGDOM )F THEY ARE RICH IN FAITH HE IS SOMETIMES GIVEN CREDIT FOR (E INSISTS FAITH IS EMPTY THEY INHERIT THE +INGDOM B 'OD REJECTS THE RICH NOT AND INAUTHENTIC IF IT DOES NOT INVOLVE PUTTING THE WORD INTO BECAUSE OF THEIR RICHES BUT BECAUSE THEY COMMIT VIOLENT PRACTICE ACTS THEY ARE EXPLOITING YOU x DRAGGING YOU INTO COURT x 4HE PREACHING STYLE OF THIS LETTER APPEARS HERE MORE SLANDERING THE NOBLE NAME OF HIM TO WHOM YOU BELONG B CLEARLY THAN ELSEWHERE *AMES ADDRESSES HIS READERS AS 4HE @NAME TO WHICH *AMES IS REFERRING IS THE NAME OF *ESUS IF THEY WERE STANDING BEFORE HIM AND SETS OUT TO QUESTION #HRIST 4HE RICH ASSUME THAT THEIR WEALTH ENTITLES THEM TO AND PERSUADE THEM (E USES A CONCRETE EXAMPLE TO MAKE DO WHAT THEY LIKE AND THAT THEY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE SAME HIS POINT 7HAT SHOULD ONE DO WHEN FACED WITH A BROTHER RULES AS OTHERS OR SISTER IN NEED LACKING EVEN THE MOST BASIC NECESSITIES #HRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN !FRICA ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THIS SUCH AS CLOTHING AND FOOD 4HERE WERE CERTAINLY SOMETIMES UNCONSCIOUS DISCRIMINATION IN FAVOUR OF THE RICH MANY POOR PEOPLE IN THE CHURCHES TO WHICH *AMES WAS WRIT SINCE THE POWER OF MONEY IS STRONG WHEN MANY ARE POOR 4HE ING &INE SOUNDING WORDS WOULD NOT FEED THEM NOR WOULD RICH ARE EASILY NOTICED AND GAIN THE RESPECT OF LEADERS 4HEN GOOD WISHES &AITH BY ITSELF IF IT IS NOT ACCOMPANIED BY THE POOR FIND THEMSELVES SHOVED TO ONE SIDE BECAUSE AS THE ACTION IS DEAD )N OTHER WORDS IT NEEDS NO ENEMY TO PROVERB SAYS @THIN COWS ARE NOT LICKED BY THEIR FRIENDS MAKE IT DISAPPEAR 4HEY ARE IGNORED BECAUSE THEY ARE @THIN AND CANNOT MAKE A 4O DRIVE THIS POINT HOME *AMES STOPS USING THE PLURAL FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY PRONOUN AND CHANGES TO THE SINGULAR IN AS IF HE WERE 4HE SOLUTION TO DISCRIMINATION IN THE #HRISTIAN COMMU TALKING TO ONLY ONE PERSON 4HIS TYPE OF CHANGE IS NOT UNU NITY IS TO PRACTISE THE ROYAL LAW THE ONE THAT SAYS LOVE YOUR SUAL IN THE /4 ESPECIALLY IN 0SALMS AND 0ROVERBS !S WE NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF 4HIS LAW IS ROYAL BECAUSE IT IS HAVE SAID *AMES LETTER COULD WELL BE A BOOK OF WISDOM ONE OF THE TWO GREATEST COMMANDMENTS -ATT AND 4HE AUTHOR CONTRASTS FAITH CHARACTERIZED BY NICE WORDS WITH ALSO BECAUSE IT WAS GIVEN BY *ESUS HIMSELF *AMES EMPHA THE FAITH THAT PRODUCES WORKS THAT CAN BE OBSERVED (E SIS EMERGES AGAIN HE DOES NOT TELL HIS READERS TO @OBEY EMPHASIZES THAT SUCH WORKS ARE THE RESULT OF FAITH THE LAW BUT TO KEEP IT OR IN OTHER WORDS TO PUT IT INTO PRAC &AITH THAT IS NOT DEMONSTRATED BY WORKS IS DEAD IN THAT IT IS TICE )F THEY KEEP THIS LAW #HRISTIANS WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE SIMPLY A NOMINAL BELIEF LIKE THAT OF THE DEMONS WHO ALSO )F THEY DO DISCRIMINATE THEY ARE DISOBEYING THE LAW BELIEVE IN 'OD BUT DO NOT OBEY HIM 4HE AUTHOR HAS #HRISTIANS OF *EWISH ORIGIN WERE EAGER TO KEEP THE LAW BUT GOOD REASON TO SAY THAT THE PERSON WHO ADVOCATES SUCH HAD FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THAT DISCRIMINATION IS AS SERIOUS A DEAD FAITH IS A POOR MAN (E IS WORTH VERY LITTLE IN SPIRITUAL SIN AS ADULTERY OR MURDER AND THAT BY BREAKING THIS ONE LAW TERMS THEY WERE GUILTY OF BREAKING THE WHOLE LAW
12 *AMES n
!T THIS POINT THE AUTHOR GIVES TWO EXAMPLES DRAWN ORIGINAL 'REEK BUT BRINGS OUT THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE TONGUE FROM 'ODS WORD !BRAHAM AND 2AHAB BOTH CAN DO IRREPARABLE DAMAGE 7HILE IT IS ONLY ONE SMALL PART OF WHOM BECAME ANCESTORS OF OUR ,ORD *ESUS /UR ANCESTOR OF THE BODY IT AFFECTS ALL THE OTHER PARTS -ORE THAN THAT !BRAHAM WAS SUCH AN EXAMPLE OF FAITH IN ACTION THAT HE IS IT CAN SET NOT ONLY AN ENTIRE FOREST ON FIRE BUT ALSO CALLED THE FATHER OF BELIEVERS 'AL (IS FAITH EXPRESSED THE ENTIRE CREATED WORLD *AMES IS USING EXAGGERATION JUST ITSELF IN HIS WILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE HIS ONLY SON TO 'OD 'EN AS THE PSALMISTS DID SEE FOR EXAMPLE 0S IN 4HIS SACRIFICE IS THE ACTION BY WHICH !BRAHAM ORDER TO DRIVE HOME HIS POINT THAT AN UNCONTROLLED TONGUE DEMONSTRATED HIS FAITH (E WAS NOT JUSTIFIED BY THIS CAN CAUSE ENORMOUS DAMAGE TO THE BODY AND TO EVERYONE ACTION BUT BY THE FAITH THAT PRODUCED IT AROUND !ND @THE BODY IS A COMMON WAY OF REFERRING TO A 2AHAB IN THE SECOND EXAMPLE IS THE VERY OPPOSITE OF GROUP OF BELIEVERS 7ORDS CAN EASILY CAUSE SUCH GROUPS TO !BRAHAM (E IS THE FATHER OF BELIEVERS WHEREAS SHE WAS FALL APART MUCH TO THE DEVILS DELIGHT )T IS AN IRONY OF FATE ONLY A PROSTITUTE "UT THEY SHARED THE SAME FAITH THE THAT IN THE LONG RUN THE TONGUE THAT SPREADS SUCH DESTRUC FAITH THAT EXPRESSES ITSELF IN ACTION "Y FAITH 2AHAB RISKED TION WILL ITSELF BE DESTROYED BY THE FIRES OF HELL HER LIFE TO SAVE THE LIVES OF THE )SRAELITE SPIES *OSH .O MATTER HOW SUCCESSFUL HUMANS ARE IN CONTROLLING THE 4HE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THIS PART OF HIS LETTER WITH A META ANIMAL WORLD IN ALL ITS VARIETIES THEY HAVE NOT YET PHOR AS THE BODY WITHOUT THE SPIRIT IS DEAD SO FAITH WITHOUT LEARNED TO CONTROL THE TONGUE *AMES DESCRIBES IT AS AN DEEDS IS DEAD 4HIS METAPHOR UNDERSCORES THE IMPOR UNCONTROLLABLE EVIL THAT LEADS INEVITABLY TO DEATH "UT THIS TANCE OF PUTTING 'ODS WORD INTO PRACTICE IF WE ARE EVEN TO IS NOT THE WHOLE TRUTH FOR THE TONGUE DOES MORE THAN JUST BE ABLE TO SPEAK ABOUT FAITH DESTROY WE CAN USE IT TO PRAISE OUR ,ORD AND &ATHER JUST AS WE CAN USE IT TO CURSE MEN .O WONDER HE COMPARES IT #ONSIDERED 6ERSUS (ASTY 3PEECH TO FIRE WITH WHICH WE MAY COOK A MEAL OR BURN DOWN THE %ARLIER *AMES HAD SAID THAT @EVERYONE SHOULD BE x SLOW GRANARY 7E NEED TO MASTER OUR TONGUES SO THAT THEY CAN BE TO SPEAK .OW HE EXPANDS THAT COMMAND BEYOND USED FOR BLESSING NOT CURSING SPEAKING IN THE GENERAL SENSE TO APPLY IT TO THE SPEAKING 4HE FACT THAT EVEN BELIEVERS USE THE TONGUE TO SAY INCOM THAT IS INEVITABLY INVOLVED IN TEACHING THE PEOPLE OF 'OD .OT PATIBLE THINGS IS EVIDENCE OF HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO CONTROL MANY OF YOU SHOULD PRESUME TO BE TEACHERS B 4HE REA *AMES URGES #HRISTIANS NOT TO BE LIKE A SPRING OF WATER THAT SON THAT WE WHO TEACH WILL BE JUDGED MORE STRICTLY IS THAT THE PRODUCES BOTH FRESH AND BITTER WATER AT THE SAME TIME !LL MORE WE SAY THE MORE LIKELY WE ARE TO STUMBLE AND MAKE THE FRESH WATER IN SUCH A SPRING WOULD BE POLLUTED BY THE MISTAKES 4EACHERS ARE NOT PERFECT AND WILL MAKE MISTAKES BITTER WATER #HRISTIANS SHOULD TAKE PAINS THAT JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE "UT THEIR MISTAKES MAY HAVE WHEN THEY SPEAK THEIR WORDS ARE LIKE FRESH WATER n THAT IS DESTRUCTIVE CONSEQUENCES 4HUS THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERING KIND WORDS THAT BUILD OTHERS UP AND THAT HONOUR 'OD TEACHING MUST THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE DECIDING TO DO SO 4HE -ASTERY OF THE TONGUE IS A SIGN OF WISDOM FOR THE LESS JUDGMENT OF WHICH *AMES SPEAKS WILL TAKE PLACE WHEN THE ONE SPEAKS THE FEWER SERIOUS ERRORS ONE WILL MAKE 3O ,ORD RETURNS *AMES RETURNS TO THE QUESTION OF WISDOM WHICH HE HAS *AMES USES THREE FAMILIAR THINGS TO ILLUSTRATE HOW ALREADY DISCUSSED IN 7ISDOM IS CHARACTERIZED BY A IMPORTANT IT IS FOR #HRISTIANS AND TEACHERS IN PARTICULAR TO GOOD LIFE BY DEEDS DONE IN THE HUMILITY THAT COMES FROM WIS CONTROL THEIR TONGUES 4HE FIRST TWO ILLUSTRATIONS SHOW HOW DOM 3OME OF *AMES READERS WERE NO DOUBT CLAIMING HUMANS CAN USE EVEN SMALL INSTRUMENTS TO DOMINATE THE TO BE WISE AND INTELLIGENT 4HE AUTHOR CHALLENGES THEM TO WORLD &IRST HE SPEAKS OF HOW A RIDER CAN CONTROL AND USE PROVE IT 7ISDOM IS NOT A PHILOSOPHICAL THEORY BUT SOME A STRONG AND DANGEROUS ANIMAL LIKE THE HORSE IF IT HAS A BIT THING THAT HAS TO BE DEMONSTRATED IN DAILY LIFE !ND IT TOO IN ITS MOUTH 3ECOND HE REMINDS THEM THAT OPPOSING FOLLOWS FROM APPLYING THE TRUTH OF THE WORD WIND AND TIDES WILL PREVENT A SHIP FROM REACHING ITS DESTINA *AMES CONTRASTS TWO TYPES OF WISDOM WISDOM THAT IS TION UNLESS THE PILOT CONTROLS THE RUDDER EARTHLY AND THE WISDOM FROM HEAVEN %ARTHLY WISDOM RESTS (IS THIRD EXAMPLE SHOWS HOW SOMETHING SMALL AND USE ON LIES AND THUS ON THE BAD USE OF THE TONGUE )T DIVIDES FUL CAN SPREAD GREAT DESTRUCTION THROUGH AN ENTIRE FOREST IF PEOPLE AND SOWS HATRED AND JEALOUSY 7HEN PEOPLE ARE NOT CAREFULLY CONTROLLED .OTE THAT HE SAYS 4HE TONGUE NOT PAYING SUFFICIENT ATTENTION TO 'ODS WORD THEIR ACTIONS ALSO IS A FIRE NOT THE TONGUE IS LIKE A FIRE )T IS MORE WILL SPRING FROM EARTHLY MOTIVES SUCH AS ENVY AND AMBI AN IDENTIFICATION THAN A COMPARISON FOR THE AUTHOR WANTS TO TION !NY WISDOM THEY CLAIM TO HAVE WILL BE EARTHLY EMPHASIZE HOW DANGEROUS AND DESTRUCTIVE THE TONGUE CAN AND UNSPIRITUAL BECAUSE IT IS OF THE DEVIL AND DIVIDES PEO BE 7E COULD TRANSLATE LIKE THIS 4HE TONGUE IS A FIRE AND PLE )N CONTRAST TO THE RIVALRY THAT CHARACTERIZES ALSO A WORLD OF INJUSTICE )T IS A PART OF THE BODY BUT IT DEFILES EARTHLY WISDOM HEAVENLY WISDOM FOSTERS HEALTHY HUMAN THE WHOLE BODY SETS THE ENTIRE CREATED WORLD ABLAZE AND IS RELATIONSHIPS AND PEACE WITH OTHERS ITSELF SET ABLAZE BY HELL4HIS TRANSLATION IS ALSO FAITHFUL TO THE
13 *AMES n
#ONFLICTS AND 3IN #ONFLICTS ARE THE MANIFESTATIONS OF SUBTLE SINS SUCH AS *AMES HAS ADDRESSED SEVERAL PROBLEMS AMONG THE *EWISH DESIRES OR PLEASURES NOURISHED IN THE HEART 4HEY ARE ALSO #HRISTIANS SCATTERED AROUND THE WORLD INCLUDING DISCRIMINA PRODUCED BY PRIDE WHICH IS NOT THAT DIFFERENT FROM TION IN THE CHURCHES AND WRONG USE OF THE TONGUE DESIRE AS IT IS ALSO FOCUSED ON CATERING TO THE FLESH )T TOO IS .OW HE TURNS TO THE FIGHTS AND QUARRELS AMONG YOU SELF CENTRED AND SELF SERVING 2EFUSAL TO LISTEN AND FAILURE TO OBEY THE WORD ARE AT )N THE CHURCH CONFLICTS BETWEEN PEOPLE ARE NOT NECES THE ROOT OF THESE CONFLICTS AND OTHER SINS SARILY SETTLED THROUGH NEGOTIATION AS WOULD BE THE CASE IN (E IDENTIFIES ONE PARTICULAR SOURCE OF CONFLICT THE PLEAS THE POLITICAL WORLD 4HEY ARE SETTLED THROUGH REPENTANCE 3O URES THAT THEY DESIRE AND ALLOW TO DICTATE THEIR BEHAVIOUR *AMES INVITES THE PEOPLE CONCERNED TO RETURN TO 'OD 4HEY 4HEIR CONFLICTS ARE ROOTED IN THE ENVY IN THEIR OWN HEARTS NEED TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THE THINGS OF THE WORLD AND THEIR BEHAVIOUR IS SELF CENTRED 4HEY THINK ONLY OF THEM WHICH ARE UNDER THE POWER OF THE DEVIL AND TO DRAW NEAR SELVES 4HIS SELFISHNESS IS WHY THEY NEITHER HAVE NOR RECEIVE TO 'OD 4HE VERBS USED EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE BLESSING B 7HAT HE SEES IS A VICIOUS CIRCLE 4HE OF REPENTANCE n SUBMIT TO 'OD RESIST THE DEVIL WASH BELIEVERS ALLOW THEIR DESIRES TO EXCITE THEM AND DRIVE THEM YOUR HANDS PURIFY YOUR HEARTS MOURN AND WAIL INTO ACTION AND THE ACTION THEY TAKE ONLY STRENGTHENS THEIR AND HUMBLE YOURSELVES 4HERE IS A CLEAR CHANGE IN THE DESIRES .OT SURPRISINGLY THEY DO NOT HAVE WHAT THEY WANT TONE OF THE AUTHOR 7HEREAS HE PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED THEM BECAUSE THEY DO NOT STOP TO ASK FOR IT 2ATHER THAN SERVING AS BROTHERS HE NOW CHALLENGES THEM AS SIN 'OD THEY SERVE THEMSELVES NERS (E DOES NOT MINCE HIS WORDS WHEN IT COMES TO 4HESE CONFLICTS CAN TAKE DRAMATIC FORM *AMES SPEAKS DEALING WITH SIN AS IF HIS READERS ARE AT WAR AMONG THEMSELVES AND EVEN !NOTHER SIN THAT REFLECTS A FAILURE TO LISTEN AND OBEY THE KILLING EACH OTHER A WHICH SEEMS UNBELIEVABLE FOR A WORD IS SLANDER 3LANDERERS ENJOY SPREADING BAD REPORTS #HRISTIAN GROUP .O DOUBT HE IS EXAGGERATING TO FORCE THEM ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE SO THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THEIR FAULTS AND TO RECOGNIZE THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION 7HILE THERE MAY WEAKNESSES "UT THIS IS A DANGEROUS GAME FOR THEY NOT HAVE BEEN ANY LITERAL WAR OR MURDER THE TENSIONS AND ARE SETTING THEMSELVES UP AS JUDGES AND ARE JUDGING OTHERS DISPUTES WOULD HAVE LEFT VICTIMS 3UCH USE OF LANGUAGE WAS BY THEIR OWN SET OF STANDARDS *UDGMENT IS 'ODS PREROGA PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE IN ANCIENT LITERATURE AND IS OFTEN FOUND TIVE AND HE IS THE ONE WHO MAKES THE LAWS 5SURPING A IN THE 0SALMS FOR EXAMPLE 0S FUNCTION THAT IS RIGHTLY HIS IS A SIN 4HIS SIN ENCOUR *AMES SEEKS TO SHOCK HIS HEARERS BY BURSTING OUT WITH AGES CONFLICTS AND OPEN WARFARE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND ADULTEROUS PEOPLE )F WE TAKE THIS LITERALLY IT MEANS CLEARLY SHOWS A FAILURE TO OBEY 'ODS WORD ESPECIALLY IN THAT SOME OF THE READERS WERE GUILTY OF THE SIN OF ADULTERY RELATION TO WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBOURS "UT HE IS SPEAKING LIKE AN /4 PROPHET HERE AND WHAT HE IS *AMES NOW GIVES A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OF THE PRIDE HE ACTUALLY SPEAKING OF IS SPIRITUAL INFIDELITY 7HEN THE PEOPLE CONDEMNED IN !DDRESSING A BUSINESSMAN OR BUSINESS OF )SRAEL TURNED AWAY FROM 'OD THEY WERE REGARDED AS AN WOMAN WHO MAKES PLANS WITHOUT ANY THOUGHT OF 'OD HE UNFAITHFUL WIFE *ER SAYS SOMETHING LIKE THIS @9OU DRIVE YOURSELF HARD TO SUC *ESUS USED THE SAME EXPRESSION WHEN HE CALLED THE *EWS CEED IN BUSINESS BUT WITHOUT 'OD 9OU ARE VERY SURE OF WHO WERE DEMANDING MIRACLES @A WICKED AND ADULTEROUS YOURSELF !ND YET YOU ARE LIKE A MIST THAT APPEARS AND DIS GENERATION -ATT 4HIS TYPE OF INFIDELITY IS CHARAC APPEARS 7HAT IS THE GOOD OF MAKING LONG TERM TERIZED BY FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD ON THE BASIS OF DESIRES PLANS WHEN YOU DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TOMOR AND PLEASURES *AMES DENOUNCES SUCH COMPROMISE ROW %ARLIER HE HAD COMPARED RICHES TO A FLOWER AND DUPLICITY )T IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SERVE 'OD AND THE DESIRES 4HE RICH PERSON WHO IS COUNTING ON HIS RICHES AND THE BUSI OF THE WORLD AT THE SAME TIME FOR ONE CANNOT BE SIMULTA NESSPERSON WITHOUT 'OD ARE ALIKE "OTH ARE GUILTY OF THE NEOUSLY A FRIEND AND AN ENEMY OF 'OD ! CHOICE MUST BE SIN OF SELF SUFFICIENCY OF THINKING THEY CAN SUCCEED ON THEIR MADE 2EADING *AMES SUGGESTS THAT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN OWN "OTH WILL COME UP SHORT WHEN THEY CONFRONT THE BREV MANY MEN AND WOMEN WITH DIVIDED HEARTS IN THE GROUPS TO ITY OF LIFE WHICH HE WAS WRITING 4HEY WERE NO DIFFERENT THAN THOSE !T FIRST GLANCE MAY SEEM TO LACK ANY OBVIOUS CON WHO DOUBT AND WHO RESEMBLE @A WAVE OF THE SEA BLOWN AND NECTION TO WHAT *AMES HAS BEEN SAYING SO FAR "UT WE HAVE TOSSED BY THE WIND SEEN THAT THE THREAD RUNNING THROUGH ALL THAT HAS BEEN SAID 4HE NEXT VERSE IS DIFFICULT TO TRANSLATE AND HAS NO IS THE NEED TO LISTEN TO THE WORD OF 'OD AND THEN APPLY IT IN EXACT PARALLEL IN EITHER THE /4 OR THE .4 *AMES MAY BE ALLUD THE WAY WE LIVE *AMES HAS BEEN DEALING WITH THE IMPLICA ING TO A LOST SACRED TEXT OR TO A *EWISH TRADITION "UT THE TIONS OF 'ODS WORD EVER SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE LETTER POINT OF THE SENTENCE IS THAT 'OD IS JEALOUS AS A HUSBAND #ONSEQUENTLY THOSE WHO HAVE READ THIS LETTER WILL HAVE NO IS (E WILL NOT ACCEPT #HRISTIANS LIVING IN DUPLICITY LIKE AN EXCUSE FOR NOT PUTTING INTO PRACTICE WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED UNFAITHFUL WIFE )F THEY DO NOT THEY WILL BE SINNING BY OMISSION
14 *AMES n
4HE *UDGMENT OF THE 2ICH CONCERN SHOWN BY THOSE WITH DIVIDED HEARTS WHO SAY THAT 3OCIETY HAS ALWAYS BEEN CHARACTERIZED BY THE GULF BETWEEN THE ,ORD WILL NEVER RETURN THE MAJORITY WHO ARE POOR AND THE HANDFUL WHO ARE RICH )MPATIENCE ALSO SHOWS ITSELF IN GRUMBLING ABOUT OTHER 4HE LATTER ARE THE POWERFUL ONES 4HEY SET THEMSELVES UP #HRISTIANS AND ABOUT 'OD AND *AMES WARNS US AGAINST THIS ABOVE THE LAW 4HEY MAKE DEMANDS THAT ARE HARMFUL TO THE 'RUMBLING IS A SIGN OF DISORDER AND MISUNDERSTAND INTERESTS OF THE POOR 4HEY INSULT POOR PEOPLE DRAG THEM ING AND ALSO REVEALS A FAILURE TO CONTROL THE TONGUE WHICH INTO COURT AND SLANDER THE NOBLE NAME OF THE ,ORD CAUSES GREAT DAMAGE AMONG #HRISTIANS SEE 4HE *AMES DOES NOT CALL SUCH PEOPLE @BROTHERS BECAUSE THEY ARE ,ORD WILL EXPRESS HIS DISPLEASURE AT IT WHEN HE RETURNS NOT PART OF THE FAMILY EVEN IF THEY ATTEND CHURCH "UT 7HILE WE AWAIT THAT GREAT DAY OUR PATIENCE WILL BE TRIED 'OD WILL JUDGE THEM ON THAT DAY WHEN EVERYONE WILL APPEAR BY SUFFERING JUST AS THE PATIENCE OF THE PROPHETS WAS BEFORE THE TRUE JUDGE TO ACCOUNT FOR THEIR BEHAVIOUR 4HEY SPOKE OUT IN THE NAME OF THE ,ORD DESPITE GREAT OPPO 4HAT DAY WILL BE ONE OF WEEPING AND MISERY FOR THE RICH SITION 4HEY DID NOT GIVE UP AND FAIL IN THEIR MISSION BECAUSE WITHOUT 'OD 4HE RICHES THEY RELIED ON WILL EVAPORATE n AND HOPE WAS ALIVE IN THEIR HEARTS 4HEY BELIEVED THAT THE DAY OF WILL EVEN BE USED AS EVIDENCE AGAINST THEM THE ,ORD WAS NEAR 7E ADMIRE PEOPLE LIKE THAT 4HE WEALTH THE RICH HAVE HOARDED SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED !NOTHER PERSON NOT A PROPHET WHO SUFFERED PATIENTLY TO PAY FAIR WAGES TO THEIR EMPLOYEES A 4HIS INJUSTICE IS WAS *OB (E FEARED 'OD AND ALSO ENDURED GREAT SUF YET ANOTHER MAJOR ADDITION TO THE CATALOGUE OF WRONGS THEY FERING !NYONE WHO LOVES 'OD MAY HAVE TO FACE SUFFERING HAVE COMMITTED "UT THERE IS IRONY IN THE FACT THAT THOSE BUT BY THE END OF IT THEY WILL KNOW 'OD BETTER AND HAVE A SAME RICH PEOPLE WHO DRAGGED OTHERS BEFORE COURTS FAR DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF HIS LOVE AND MERCY WILL THEMSELVES BE JUDGED IN COURT BY THE ,ORD !LMIGHTY OR @THE ,ORD OF (OSTS THAT IS ARMIES WHO DEFENDS HIS PEOPLE 4RUTH B 4HE POOR WILL BE THE ONES TO LAY THE CHARGE AND THE RICH WILL BE POWERLESS BEFORE THIS JUDGE WHO CANNOT BE *AMES TELLS THE BELIEVERS DO NOT SWEAR n NOT BY HEAVEN OR MANIPULATED OR BRIBED BY EARTH OR BY ANYTHING ELSE SEE ALSO -ATT )N 4HE RICH WILL FACE JUDGMENT ON THE LAST DAY BUT SOME 'REEK AND *EWISH CULTURE WHEN ONE SWORE BY THE HEAV EVEN FACE JUDGMENT NOW AS A RESULT OF THEIR OVEREATING AND ENS OR BY EARTH ONE WAS ASKING A DIVINITY TO ATTEST TO THE DRINKING )N OUR DAY WE TALK OF THE ILLNESSES OF THE TRUTH OF WHAT ONE WAS SAYING *AMES IS STRONGLY OPPOSED TO RICH 4HEIR ANXIETIES AND OVERINDULGENCE LEAD TO STRESS AND THIS BECAUSE THOSE WHO LIVE IN TRUTH DONT NEED ANY FURTHER SHORTEN THEIR LIVES !LL THE THOUGHT THEY HAVE PUT INTO THEIR WITNESS LEAST OF ALL FROM SOME DIVINITY )N OTHER WORDS A INVESTMENTS WILL PROVE USELESS AS THEY ARE SEPARATED FROM BELIEVER WILL ALWAYS SPEAK ONLY THE TRUTH THEM BY DEATH 4RUE #HRISTIAN #OMMUNITIES (OPE *AMES IS LOOKING FORWARD TO REAL #HRISTIAN COMMUNITIES %NDURANCE PATIENCE AND HOPE ARE THREE IMPORTANT THEMES WHOSE MEMBERS PUT THE WORD OF 'OD INTO PRACTICE 3UCH IN THIS LETTER 4HEY BLEND WELL WITH THE CENTRAL THEME OF COMMUNITIES WILL RESIST TEMPTATIONS AND OVERCOME TESTING PUTTING THE WORD INTO PRACTICE &AITH SHOULD EXPRESS ITSELF IN WILL TAKE CARE OF THE POOR OF ORPHANS AND OF WIDOWS AND CONCRETE ACTION 3OCIETY JUDGES #HRISTIANS NOT ON THE FAITH WILL BE EXAMPLES OF IMPARTIALITY ENDURANCE AND PATIENCE THEY PROFESS BUT ON THE WAY THEY LIVE &OR HIS PART THE ,ORD 2ESPOND TO *OY AND 3ORROW WHO IS COMING BACK WILL JUDGE US ON THE WORKS THAT RESULT FROM OUR FAITH IN *ESUS #HRIST 7E ARE NOT SAVED BY THESE !LL BELIEVERS WILL EXPERIENCE TIMES OF JOY AND TIMES OF SOR WORKS BUT WE WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEM ROW *AMES MADE THIS POINT CLEARLY AT THE VERY BEGINNING 0UTTING THE WORD INTO PRACTICE REQUIRES PATIENCE AND OF HIS LETTER 4HERE WILL BE TESTS TEMPTATIONS AND ENDURANCE BECAUSE WE WILL FACE MANY TEMPTATIONS TESTS SOMETIMES CONFLICTS AMONG FELLOW #HRISTIANS 4HERE WILL OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES 7E MUST IMITATE FARMERS !FTER ALSO BE JOY FOR *AMES HAS SAID THAT PRACTISING THE WORD WILL HAVING WORKED HARD TO GET THE CROP INTO THE SOIL THEY WAIT BRING LIFE AND GIVE HAPPINESS PATIENTLY FOR THE HARVEST WHICH WILL COME AT THE RIGHT TIME *AMES ADVICE ON HOW TO RESPOND TO DIFFERENT CIRCUM NEITHER TOO EARLY NOR TOO LATE *UST AS THE FARMER WAITS STANCES IS SIMPLE )N TIMES OF SUFFERING PRAY A 4ELL FOR THE DAY OF HARVEST OR OF REWARD SO WE WHO SERVE THE 'OD ABOUT YOUR PHYSICAL OR SPIRITUAL PAIN AND WAIT FOR HIM ,ORD MUST WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIS RETURN 0ATIENCE WILL TO DELIVER YOU IF THAT IS HIS WILL 9OU SHOULD EXPRESS YOUR HELP US TO AVOID BOTH THE FEVERISH SPECULATION ABOUT THE DATE DEPENDENCE ON HIM )N TIMES OF JOY THERE SHOULD BE THANKS OF HIS RETURN THAT CHARACTERIZES SOME GROUPS AND THE LACK OF GIVING AND SONGS OF PRAISE B "Y SINGING WE TELL 'OD OF OUR THANKSGIVING AND TELL HIM WHAT HE MEANS TO US 7E
15 *AMES n
COULD DO THE SAME IN A PRAYER BUT SINGING IS BETTER BECAUSE OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN IS POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE B 4HIS IS BOTH THE WORDS AND THE RHYTHM AND MELODY CAN EXPRESS OUR ANOTHER 3EMITIC EXPRESSION )N THE /4 THE RIGHTEOUS WERE JOY A JOY THAT CAN COME ONLY FROM 'OD THOSE WHO FEARED 'OD AND OBEYED HIS WORD 4HEY WOULD BE REWARDED BY THE ,ORD )N THE CONTEXT OF THIS LETTER THE #ARE FOR THE 3ICK RIGHTEOUS ARE THOSE WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN CONFESSED AND ! COMMUNITY THAT IS FAITHFUL TO THE WORD ALSO CARES FOR THE FORGIVEN 4HEIR PRAYERS ARE EFFECTIVE BECAUSE 'OD LISTENS TO SICK *AMES RECOMMENDS CALLING THE ELDERS THAT IS THEM (E CANNOT LISTEN TO ANYONE WHO IS HARD HEARTED AND THE PEOPLE WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEADING THE CHURCH WHO LIVES IN SIN *AMES CITES THE EXAMPLE OF %LIJAH AS SOMEONE THUS HAVE SOME AUTHORITY 4HROUGH THEIR INTERVENTION BY WHOSE PRAYERS WERE EFFECTIVE SEE +GS n 'OD ANOINTING WITH OIL AND PRAYING FOR THE ONE WHO IS SICK THE LISTENED TO HIS PRAYER BECAUSE HE WAS RIGHTEOUS )F 'OD DID WHOLE CHURCH OFFERS SUPPORT TO THAT PERSON THAT FOR %LIJAH WHY WOULD HE NOT DO IT FOR US TODAY 7HEN A MEMBER IS SICK THE WHOLE BODY IS CONCERNED )N OTHER WORDS THE CHURCH IS A PLACE OF HEALING FOR THE SICK #ARE FOR THE ,OST "UT IT IS NEITHER THE OIL NOR THE ELDERS THAT HEAL BUT IT IS THE *AMES CLOSES HIS LETTER WITH A SAD POSSIBILITY 4HE COMMUNI ,ORD HIMSELF SINCE THE ANOINTING IS DONE IN HIS NAME TY TAKES CARE OF THE POOR AND OF THE NEEDY SUCH AS ORPHANS 3OME IN !FRICA BELIEVE IT IS ACTUALLY THE OIL ITSELF THAT WIDOWS AND THOSE WHO ARE SICK )T SHOULD ALSO CARE FOR ANY HAS MIRACULOUS POWER TO HEAL /THERS THINK THAT HEALING ONE WHO MAY WANDER FROM THE TRUTH (E SEEMS TO BE DEPENDS ON THE QUALITY OF THE OIL USED 3UCH PEOPLE MUST SPEAKING OF A HYPOTHETICAL CASE RATHER THAN ONE HE HAS SPE STOP THINKING OF THE OIL AS SACRED OR AS POSSESSING SPECIAL CIFICALLY HEARD OF 3OME BELIEVERS MAY WANDER AWAY FROM POWERS AND MUST CLING ONLY TO THE PROMISES OF 'OD 4HAT IS THE WORD AND LIVE IN SIN 4HEY WILL FOLLOW PATHS THAT DIVERGE WHY THE AUTHOR OF THIS LETTER RECOMMENDS PRAYER )T FROM THE PATH OF WALKING WITH 'OD 5NLESS THE COMMUNITY IS THE PRAYER OF FAITH RATHER THAN THE REPETITION OF SPECIAL INTERVENES SUCH PEOPLE WILL DIE IN THEIR SIN 4HIS DOES NOT FORMULAS THAT BRINGS MIRACULOUS HEALING MEAN THAT THEY WILL LOSE SALVATION SINCE THAT IS BASED ON 4HE PHRASE TRANSLATED WILL MAKE THE SICK PERSON WELL CAN FAITH "UT IT IS A PITY THAT SOMEONE WOULD DIE WITHOUT GET ALSO BE TRANSLATED AS @SHALL SAVE THE SICK +*6 *AMES THEN TING SPIRITUAL HELP FROM THE CHURCH 4HE COMMUNITY SHOULD ADDS IF HE HAS SINNED HE WILL BE FORGIVEN 4HIS LINKING NOT BE JUDGMENTAL BUT SHOULD LOVINGLY SEEK TO LEAD SUCH A OF HEALING AND FORGIVENESS HAS LED SOME TO THINK THAT HEAL PERSON BACK INTO THE WAY OF 'OD ING OF THE BODY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF SALVATION 4HE PROBLEM 4HIS LAST PARAGRAPH OF THE LETTER CONFIRMS THAT *AMES CAN WITH THIS POSITION IS THAT SOMEONE MAY FALL SICK SEVERAL NOT BE OPPOSED TO 0AUL SEE THE )NTRODUCTION (E DOES NOT TIMES AND BE HEALED AS A RESULT OF PRAYER "UT ONE DAY THAT SET WORKS UP AGAINST FAITH 4HOSE WHO ARE LOST ARE NOT THOSE PERSON MAY FINALLY FALL ILL AND DIE 3UCH A DEATH DOES NOT WHO HAVE NEGLECTED WORKS BUT THOSE WHO HAVE DISTANCED MEAN THAT THE PERSON HAS FORFEITED SALVATION /UR SALVATION THEMSELVES FROM THE TRUTH THAT IS FROM THE FAITH !FRICA IS IS DEFINITE AND ETERNAL 7HAT THIS PASSAGE IS TEACHING IS THAT FERTILE GROUND FOR NEW RELIGIONS AND SECTS MAKING IT MORE THE HEALING OF THE BODY IS A SIGN OF OUR REDEMPTION "Y HEAL IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO BE WELL ROOTED IN BIBLICAL TRUTHS ING OUR BODIES AND FORGIVING OUR SINS THE ,ORD SHOWS US THROUGH READING AND STUDYING THE WORD OF 'OD *AMES FOCUS THAT HE SAVES US FROM ETERNAL DEATH !FTER ALL IF HE CAN HEAL ON TRUTH AT THE END OF HIS LETTER UNDERMINES ANY ASSERTION AND FORGIVE HOW MUCH MORE CAN HE SAVE THAT ALL HE IS INTERESTED IN IS WORKS 4HE SESSION OF GROUP PRAYER IS ALSO A TIME FOR MUTUAL 3OLOMON !NDRIA CONFESSION A 3IN IS A DANGEROUS ENEMY OF THE COM MUNITY (ENCE IT IS IMPORTANT TO ARTICULATE AND EXPRESS OUR &URTHER 2EADING SINS EVEN THE MOST SUBTLE ONES AND THOSE WE CONSIDER INSIG !DAMSON *AMES 4HE %PISTLE OF *AMES .)#.4 'RAND 2APIDS NIFICANT BEFORE 'OD AND BEFORE OTHER BELIEVERS 4HIS IS THE %ERDMANS ONLY WAY TO COMBAT THEM !CCORDING TO THE PROMISE OF 'ODS -OO $OUGLAS *AMES 4.4 ,EICESTER )NTER 6ARSITY 0RESS WORD MUTUAL CONFESSION BRINGS HEALING BECAUSE THE PRAYER 2ALPH 0 -ARTIN *AMES 7"# 7ACO 7ORD
16 “A PUBLISHING LANDMARK . . . ” —John R. Stott “A MONUMENTAL WORK . . . ” —Rick Warren
he Africa Bible Commentary is a unique publishing event—the first one-volume Bible “This monumental work of biblical scholarship is filled commentary produced in Africa by African with helpful insights into God’s Word that every pastor, T Bible teacher, and Christian will benefit from. We’ve theologians to meet the needs of African pastors, students, and lay leaders. Interpreting and applying the needed this commentary for a long, long time!” Africa Bible in the light of African cultures and realities today, Rick Warren it furnishes powerful and relevant insights into the Pastor, Saddleback Church ® biblical texts that transcend Africa in their significance. Author, The Purpose Driven Life The Africa Bible Commentary gives a section-by- Bible section interpretation that provides a contextual, readable, “A publishing landmark … Its foundation is biblical, its affordable, and immensely useful guide to the entire perspective African, and its approach to controversial questions balanced. I intend to use it myself in order to Bible. Readers around the world will benefit from gain African insights into the Word of God. Indeed, I hope Commentary and appreciate the commentary’s fresh insights and it will have a worldwide readership.” direct style that engage both heart and mind. —John R. Stott, from the Foreword A One-Volume Commentary KEY FEATURES “A rich and valuable contribution to biblical knowledge Written by 70 African Scholars • Produced by African biblical scholars, and understanding. I commend it to Christian leaders, in Africa, for Africa—and the world not only in Africa but the world over.” • Section-by-section interpretive com- —Justice James Ogenyi Ogebe, mentary and application High Court, Nigeria sampler • More than 70 special articles deal- “A good and readable blend of excellent scholarship, Book of James ing with topics of key impor- heartwarming spirituality, and relevant application. It tance to ministry in Africa challenges African Christianity, and wider, to a neces- today, but that have global sary commitment of heart, mind, and will. Its target implications audience and the wider church will find it to be a useful • 70 African contributors from treasure.” both English- and French- —Dr. Douglas Carew, vice chancellor, Nairobi speaking countries Evangelical Graduate School of Theology • Transcends the African context “This outstanding volume is a landmark for African with insights into the biblical text Christianity. Wherever the Bible is loved and read, this and the Christian faith for readers volume will enhance people’s understanding and appli- worldwide cation of it.” —Dr. Christopher J. H. Wright, international director, GENERAL EDITOR Langham Partnership International DR. TOKUNBOH ADEYEMO is the executive director of the Centre for Biblical Transformation, having served previously as general secretary for the Association of Evangelicals in Africa. He received his ThD from Dallas Theological Seminary and his PhD from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Tokunboh Adeyemo General Editor
ISBN 0-310-27407-9 FOREWORDS BY JOHN R. STOTT AND ROBERT K. ABOAGYE-MENSAH