“A PUBLISHING LANDMARK . . . ” —John R. Stott “A MONUMENTAL WORK . . . ” —Rick Warren he 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, 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, 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 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.)

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 &AITHAND&AVOURITISM *AMESENCOURAGESTHEBELIEVERSTOBECAREFULINTHEIR !SPARTOFPUTTINGTHEWORDINTOPRACTICE THEAUTHORWARNS RELATIONSHIPSBECAUSEONEDAYTHEYWILLHAVETOGIVE'OD HISREADERSAGAINSTFAVOURITISM (EWARNSTHATIFTHEY ANACCOUNTOFWHATTHEYHAVEDONE ANDWILLBEJUDGEDNOT AREGUILTYOFDISCRIMINATION THEYAREDISOBEYINGTHEWORD ACCORDINGTOTHELAWOF-OSES BUTBYTHELAWTHATGIVESFREE 4HESPECIFICISSUEHEREISDISCRIMINATIONBETWEENTHE DOM (EWARNSTHEMTHAT'ODWILLJUDGETHOSEWHO RICHANDTHEPOORINTHEIRMEETINGS 4HESEMEETINGS DISCRIMINATE3OMEONEWHOSHOWSFAVOURITISMINSULTSTHE WEREPROBABLYHELDINASYNAGOGUERATHERTHANINACHURCH DIGNITYOFOTHERSANDJUDGESTHEM4HATPERSONWILLINTURN FORATTHATTIMEMOSTCONVERTED*EWSSTILLPROBABLYATTENDED BEJUDGEDBY'OD  SYNAGOGUES4HISPRACTICECONTINUEDUNTILTHERABBISMETAT  &AITHIN!CTIONINTHE&ACEOF.OMINAL"ELIEF *AMNIAIN!$ANDDECLAREDACLEARANDPERMANENTSEPARA TIONBETWEEN*UDAISMAND#HRISTIANITY*AMNIAWASALSOTHE 4HISPARTOFTHELETTERISWELLKNOWNTO#HRISTIANSTODAYAND PLACEWHERETHERABBISFINALIZEDTHECANONOFTHE/4  WASTHESECTIONTHATSOTROUBLEDTHEGREATREFORMER-AR 4HEAUTHORPRESENTSAHYPOTHETICALSITUATIONINWHICH TIN,UTHERSEETHE)NTRODUCTION (OWEVER INCONSIDERING ARICHANDAPOORMANCOMEINTOAMEETING 4HERE WHETHER*AMESISINDEEDTEACHINGSALVATIONBYWORKSIN WOULDBENOTHINGUNUSUALABOUTTHIS FORTHEREWERECER  WENEEDTOREMEMBERWHENTHISLETTERWASWRITTEN TAINLYRICHBELIEVERS )FTHEATTITUDEOFTHELEADERS )TWASPROBABLYWRITTENTOWARDSTHEENDOFTHEFIRSTCENTURY WASTOFAVOURTHERICHTOTHEDETRIMENTOFTHEPOOR THEY BYWHICHTIME0AULSTEACHINGONJUSTIFICATIONBYFAITHWOULD WEREGUILTYOFDISCRIMINATION WHICH*AMESCONDEMNSAS HAVEBEENWIDELYKNOWN SINCE0AULSLETTERSHADBEEN OFFENSIVE  4HESINISINTHEFACTTHATTHESELEADERS WRITTENDECADESEARLIER(OWEVER SOME#HRISTIANSINTHE WHOMTHEAUTHORCALLSMYDEARBROTHERSA HAVESET GENERATIONFOLLOWING0AULWEREMISINTERPRETINGTHEDOCTRINE THEMSELVESUPASJUDGESBYELEVATINGTHERICHANDINSULTING OFJUSTIFICATIONBYFAITHANDEVENTWISTINGITBYCLAIMINGTHAT THEDIGNITYOFTHEPOORA 'ODISONTHESIDEOFTHEPOOR WORKSWERENOLONGERIMPORTANT3O*AMESISNOTOPPOSING NOTBECAUSETHEYAREPOORBUTBECAUSETHEYARERESPONSIVE 0AUL)NFACT HEPLACESMORESTRESSONAUTHENTICFAITHTHAN TOHIMANDARENEARTHE+INGDOM)FTHEYARERICHINFAITH HEISSOMETIMESGIVENCREDITFOR(EINSISTSFAITHISEMPTY THEYINHERITTHE+INGDOMB 'ODREJECTSTHERICH NOT ANDINAUTHENTICIFITDOESNOTINVOLVEPUTTINGTHEWORDINTO BECAUSEOFTHEIRRICHESBUTBECAUSETHEYCOMMITVIOLENT PRACTICE ACTSTHEYAREEXPLOITINGYOUxDRAGGINGYOUINTOCOURT x 4HEPREACHINGSTYLEOFTHISLETTERAPPEARSHEREMORE SLANDERINGTHENOBLENAMEOFHIMTOWHOMYOUBELONGB   CLEARLYTHANELSEWHERE*AMESADDRESSESHISREADERSAS 4HE@NAMETOWHICH*AMESISREFERRINGISTHENAMEOF*ESUS IFTHEYWERESTANDINGBEFOREHIMANDSETSOUTTOQUESTION #HRIST4HERICHASSUMETHATTHEIRWEALTHENTITLESTHEMTO ANDPERSUADETHEM(EUSESACONCRETEEXAMPLETOMAKE DOWHATTHEYLIKEANDTHATTHEYARENOTSUBJECTTOTHESAME HISPOINT7HATSHOULDONEDOWHENFACEDWITHABROTHER RULESASOTHERS ORSISTERINNEED LACKINGEVENTHEMOSTBASICNECESSITIES #HRISTIANCOMMUNITIESIN!FRICAARENOTIMMUNETOTHIS SUCHASCLOTHINGANDFOOD  4HEREWERECERTAINLY SOMETIMESUNCONSCIOUSDISCRIMINATIONINFAVOUROFTHERICH MANYPOORPEOPLEINTHECHURCHESTOWHICH*AMESWASWRIT SINCETHEPOWEROFMONEYISSTRONGWHENMANYAREPOOR4HE ING&INE SOUNDINGWORDSWOULDNOTFEEDTHEM NORWOULD RICHAREEASILYNOTICEDANDGAINTHERESPECTOFLEADERS4HEN GOODWISHES &AITHBYITSELF IFITISNOTACCOMPANIEDBY THEPOORFINDTHEMSELVESSHOVEDTOONESIDEBECAUSE ASTHE ACTION ISDEAD )NOTHERWORDS ITNEEDSNOENEMYTO PROVERBSAYS @THINCOWSARENOTLICKEDBYTHEIRFRIENDS MAKEITDISAPPEAR 4HEYAREIGNOREDBECAUSETHEYARE@THINANDCANNOTMAKEA 4ODRIVETHISPOINTHOME *AMESSTOPSUSINGTHEPLURAL FINANCIALCONTRIBUTIONTOTHECOMMUNITY PRONOUNANDCHANGESTOTHESINGULARIN ASIFHEWERE 4HESOLUTIONTODISCRIMINATIONINTHE#HRISTIANCOMMU TALKINGTOONLYONEPERSON4HISTYPEOFCHANGEISNOTUNU NITYISTOPRACTISETHEROYALLAW THEONETHATSAYSLOVEYOUR SUALINTHE/4 ESPECIALLYIN0SALMSAND0ROVERBS!SWE NEIGHBOURASYOURSELF 4HISLAWISROYALBECAUSEITIS HAVESAID *AMESLETTERCOULDWELLBEABOOKOFWISDOM ONEOFTHETWOGREATESTCOMMANDMENTS-ATT AND 4HEAUTHORCONTRASTSFAITHCHARACTERIZEDBYNICEWORDSWITH ALSOBECAUSEITWASGIVENBY*ESUSHIMSELF*AMESEMPHA THEFAITHTHATPRODUCESWORKSTHATCANBEOBSERVED(E SISEMERGESAGAINHEDOESNOTTELLHISREADERSTO@OBEY EMPHASIZESTHATSUCHWORKSARETHERESULTOFFAITH  THELAWBUTTOKEEPIT ORINOTHERWORDS TOPUTITINTOPRAC &AITHTHATISNOTDEMONSTRATEDBYWORKSISDEADINTHATITIS TICE)FTHEYKEEPTHISLAW #HRISTIANSWILLNOTDISCRIMINATE SIMPLYANOMINALBELIEF LIKETHATOFTHEDEMONS WHOALSO )FTHEYDODISCRIMINATE THEYAREDISOBEYINGTHELAW  BELIEVEIN'ODBUTDONOTOBEYHIM 4HEAUTHORHAS #HRISTIANSOF*EWISHORIGINWEREEAGERTOKEEPTHELAW BUT GOODREASONTOSAYTHATTHEPERSONWHOADVOCATESSUCH HADFAILEDTORECOGNIZETHATDISCRIMINATIONISASSERIOUSA DEADFAITHISAPOORMAN(EISWORTHVERYLITTLEINSPIRITUAL SINASADULTERYORMURDERANDTHATBYBREAKINGTHISONELAW TERMS  THEYWEREGUILTYOFBREAKINGTHEWHOLELAW  

12 *AMES n 

!TTHISPOINT THEAUTHORGIVESTWOEXAMPLESDRAWN ORIGINAL'REEK BUTBRINGSOUTTHEEXTENTTOWHICHTHETONGUE FROM'ODSWORD!BRAHAM AND2AHAB BOTH CANDOIRREPARABLEDAMAGE7HILEITISONLYONESMALLPART OFWHOMBECAMEANCESTORSOFOUR,ORD*ESUS/URANCESTOR OFTHEBODY ITAFFECTSALLTHEOTHERPARTS-ORETHANTHAT !BRAHAMWASSUCHANEXAMPLEOFFAITHINACTIONTHATHEIS ITCANSETNOTONLYANENTIREFORESTONFIRE BUTALSO CALLEDTHEFATHEROFBELIEVERS'AL  (ISFAITHEXPRESSED THEENTIRECREATEDWORLD*AMESISUSINGEXAGGERATION JUST ITSELFINHISWILLINGNESSTOSACRIFICEHISONLYSONTO'OD'EN ASTHEPSALMISTSDIDSEE FOREXAMPLE 0S  IN   4HISSACRIFICEISTHEACTIONBYWHICH!BRAHAM ORDERTODRIVEHOMEHISPOINTTHATANUNCONTROLLEDTONGUE DEMONSTRATEDHISFAITH (EWASNOTJUSTIFIEDBYTHIS CANCAUSEENORMOUSDAMAGETOTHEBODYANDTOEVERYONE ACTION BUTBYTHEFAITHTHATPRODUCEDIT AROUND!ND@THEBODYISACOMMONWAYOFREFERRINGTOA 2AHABINTHESECONDEXAMPLEISTHEVERYOPPOSITEOF GROUPOFBELIEVERS7ORDSCANEASILYCAUSESUCHGROUPSTO !BRAHAM(EISTHEFATHEROFBELIEVERS WHEREASSHEWAS FALLAPART MUCHTOTHEDEVILSDELIGHT)TISANIRONYOFFATE ONLYAPROSTITUTE "UTTHEYSHAREDTHESAMEFAITH THE THATINTHELONGRUNTHETONGUETHATSPREADSSUCHDESTRUC FAITHTHATEXPRESSESITSELFINACTION"YFAITH 2AHABRISKED TIONWILLITSELFBEDESTROYEDBYTHEFIRESOFHELL HERLIFETOSAVETHELIVESOFTHE)SRAELITESPIES*OSH   .OMATTERHOWSUCCESSFULHUMANSAREINCONTROLLINGTHE 4HEAUTHORCONCLUDESTHISPARTOFHISLETTERWITHAMETA ANIMALWORLDINALLITSVARIETIES THEYHAVENOTYET PHORASTHEBODYWITHOUTTHESPIRITISDEAD SOFAITHWITHOUT LEARNEDTOCONTROLTHETONGUE *AMESDESCRIBESITASAN DEEDSISDEAD 4HISMETAPHORUNDERSCORESTHEIMPOR UNCONTROLLABLEEVILTHATLEADSINEVITABLYTODEATH"UTTHIS TANCEOFPUTTING'ODSWORDINTOPRACTICEIFWEAREEVENTO ISNOTTHEWHOLETRUTH FORTHETONGUEDOESMORETHANJUST BEABLETOSPEAKABOUTFAITH DESTROYWECANUSEITTOPRAISEOUR,ORDAND&ATHERJUSTAS WECANUSEITTOCURSEMEN .OWONDERHECOMPARESIT  #ONSIDERED6ERSUS(ASTY3PEECH TOFIRE WITHWHICHWEMAYCOOKAMEALORBURNDOWNTHE %ARLIER *AMESHADSAIDTHAT@EVERYONESHOULDBExSLOW GRANARY7ENEEDTOMASTEROURTONGUESSOTHATTHEYCANBE TOSPEAK .OWHEEXPANDSTHATCOMMANDBEYOND USEDFORBLESSING NOTCURSING SPEAKINGINTHEGENERALSENSETOAPPLYITTOTHESPEAKING 4HEFACTTHATEVENBELIEVERSUSETHETONGUETOSAYINCOM THATISINEVITABLYINVOLVEDINTEACHINGTHEPEOPLEOF'OD.OT PATIBLETHINGSISEVIDENCEOFHOWDIFFICULTITISTOCONTROL MANYOFYOUSHOULDPRESUMETOBETEACHERSB 4HEREA *AMESURGES#HRISTIANSNOTTOBELIKEASPRINGOFWATERTHAT SONTHATWEWHOTEACHWILLBEJUDGEDMORESTRICTLYISTHATTHE PRODUCESBOTHFRESHANDBITTERWATERATTHESAMETIME!LL MOREWESAY THEMORELIKELYWEARETOSTUMBLEANDMAKE THEFRESHWATERINSUCHASPRINGWOULDBEPOLLUTEDBYTHE MISTAKES4EACHERSARENOTPERFECTANDWILLMAKEMISTAKES BITTERWATER  #HRISTIANSSHOULDTAKEPAINSTHAT JUSTLIKEEVERYONEELSE "UTTHEIRMISTAKESMAYHAVE WHENTHEYSPEAK THEIRWORDSARELIKEFRESHWATERnTHATIS DESTRUCTIVECONSEQUENCES4HUSTHOSEWHOARECONSIDERING KINDWORDSTHATBUILDOTHERSUPANDTHATHONOUR'OD TEACHINGMUSTTHINKCAREFULLYBEFOREDECIDINGTODOSO4HE -ASTERYOFTHETONGUEISASIGNOFWISDOM FORTHELESS JUDGMENTOFWHICH*AMESSPEAKSWILLTAKEPLACEWHENTHE ONESPEAKS THEFEWERSERIOUSERRORSONEWILLMAKE3O ,ORDRETURNS   *AMESRETURNSTOTHEQUESTIONOFWISDOM WHICHHEHAS *AMES USESTHREEFAMILIARTHINGSTOILLUSTRATEHOW ALREADYDISCUSSEDIN 7ISDOMISCHARACTERIZEDBYA IMPORTANTITISFOR#HRISTIANS ANDTEACHERSINPARTICULAR TO GOODLIFE BYDEEDSDONEINTHEHUMILITYTHATCOMESFROMWIS CONTROLTHEIRTONGUES4HEFIRSTTWOILLUSTRATIONSSHOWHOW DOM 3OMEOF*AMESREADERSWERENODOUBTCLAIMING HUMANSCANUSEEVENSMALLINSTRUMENTSTODOMINATETHE TOBEWISEANDINTELLIGENT4HEAUTHORCHALLENGESTHEMTO WORLD&IRST HESPEAKSOFHOWARIDERCANCONTROLANDUSE PROVEIT7ISDOMISNOTAPHILOSOPHICALTHEORYBUTSOME ASTRONGANDDANGEROUSANIMALLIKETHEHORSEIFITHASABIT THINGTHATHASTOBEDEMONSTRATEDINDAILYLIFE!NDIT TOO INITSMOUTH 3ECOND HEREMINDSTHEMTHATOPPOSING FOLLOWSFROMAPPLYINGTHETRUTHOFTHEWORD WINDANDTIDESWILLPREVENTASHIPFROMREACHINGITSDESTINA *AMESCONTRASTSTWOTYPESOFWISDOMWISDOMTHATIS TIONUNLESSTHEPILOTCONTROLSTHERUDDER  EARTHLYANDTHEWISDOMFROMHEAVEN%ARTHLYWISDOMRESTS (ISTHIRDEXAMPLESHOWSHOWSOMETHINGSMALLANDUSE ONLIES ANDTHUSONTHEBADUSEOFTHETONGUE)TDIVIDES FULCANSPREADGREATDESTRUCTIONTHROUGHANENTIREFORESTIF PEOPLEANDSOWSHATREDANDJEALOUSY7HENPEOPLEARE NOTCAREFULLYCONTROLLED .OTETHATHESAYS4HETONGUE NOTPAYINGSUFFICIENTATTENTIONTO'ODSWORD THEIRACTIONS ALSOISAFIRE NOTTHETONGUEISLIKEAFIRE)TISMORE WILLSPRINGFROMEARTHLYMOTIVESSUCHASENVYANDAMBI ANIDENTIFICATIONTHANACOMPARISON FORTHEAUTHORWANTSTO TION !NYWISDOMTHEYCLAIMTOHAVEWILLBEEARTHLY EMPHASIZEHOWDANGEROUSANDDESTRUCTIVETHETONGUECAN ANDUNSPIRITUALBECAUSEITISOFTHEDEVILANDDIVIDESPEO BE7ECOULDTRANSLATELIKETHIS4HETONGUEISAFIREAND PLE  )NCONTRASTTOTHERIVALRYTHATCHARACTERIZES ALSOAWORLDOFINJUSTICE)TISAPARTOFTHEBODY BUTITDEFILES EARTHLYWISDOM HEAVENLYWISDOMFOSTERSHEALTHYHUMAN THEWHOLEBODY SETSTHEENTIRECREATEDWORLDABLAZE ANDIS RELATIONSHIPSANDPEACEWITHOTHERS   ITSELFSETABLAZEBYHELL4HISTRANSLATIONISALSOFAITHFULTOTHE

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 #ONFLICTSAND3IN #ONFLICTSARETHEMANIFESTATIONSOFSUBTLESINSSUCHAS *AMESHASADDRESSEDSEVERALPROBLEMSAMONGTHE*EWISH DESIRESORPLEASURESNOURISHEDINTHEHEART4HEYAREALSO #HRISTIANSSCATTEREDAROUNDTHEWORLD INCLUDINGDISCRIMINA PRODUCEDBYPRIDE WHICHISNOTTHATDIFFERENTFROM TIONINTHECHURCHES  ANDWRONGUSEOFTHETONGUE DESIRE ASITISALSOFOCUSEDONCATERINGTOTHEFLESH)TTOOIS   .OWHETURNSTOTHEFIGHTSANDQUARRELSAMONGYOU SELF CENTREDANDSELF SERVING  2EFUSALTOLISTENANDFAILURETOOBEYTHEWORDAREAT )NTHECHURCH CONFLICTSBETWEENPEOPLEARENOTNECES THEROOTOFTHESECONFLICTSANDOTHERSINS SARILYSETTLEDTHROUGHNEGOTIATION ASWOULDBETHECASEIN (EIDENTIFIESONEPARTICULARSOURCEOFCONFLICTTHEPLEAS THEPOLITICALWORLD4HEYARESETTLEDTHROUGHREPENTANCE3O URESTHATTHEYDESIREANDALLOWTODICTATETHEIRBEHAVIOUR *AMESINVITESTHEPEOPLECONCERNEDTORETURNTO'OD4HEY 4HEIRCONFLICTSAREROOTEDINTHEENVYINTHEIROWNHEARTS NEEDTOSEPARATETHEMSELVESFROMTHETHINGSOFTHEWORLD ANDTHEIRBEHAVIOURISSELF CENTRED4HEYTHINKONLYOFTHEM WHICHAREUNDERTHEPOWEROFTHEDEVIL ANDTODRAWNEAR SELVES4HISSELFISHNESSISWHYTHEYNEITHERHAVENORRECEIVE TO'OD  4HEVERBSUSEDEMPHASIZETHEIMPORTANCE BLESSINGB  7HATHESEESISAVICIOUSCIRCLE4HE OFREPENTANCEnSUBMITTO'OD RESISTTHEDEVIL WASH BELIEVERSALLOWTHEIRDESIRESTOEXCITETHEMANDDRIVETHEM YOURHANDS PURIFYYOURHEARTS MOURNANDWAIL INTOACTION ANDTHEACTIONTHEYTAKEONLYSTRENGTHENSTHEIR ANDHUMBLEYOURSELVES 4HEREISACLEARCHANGEINTHE DESIRES.OTSURPRISINGLY THEYDONOTHAVEWHATTHEYWANT TONEOFTHEAUTHOR7HEREASHEPREVIOUSLYADDRESSEDTHEM BECAUSETHEYDONOTSTOPTOASKFORIT2ATHERTHANSERVING ASBROTHERS  HENOWCHALLENGESTHEMASSIN 'OD THEYSERVETHEMSELVES NERS (EDOESNOTMINCEHISWORDSWHENITCOMESTO 4HESECONFLICTSCANTAKEDRAMATICFORM*AMESSPEAKS DEALINGWITHSIN ASIFHISREADERSAREATWARAMONGTHEMSELVES ANDEVEN !NOTHERSINTHATREFLECTSAFAILURETOLISTENANDOBEYTHE KILLINGEACHOTHERA WHICHSEEMSUNBELIEVABLEFORA WORDISSLANDER3LANDERERSENJOYSPREADINGBADREPORTS #HRISTIANGROUP.ODOUBTHEISEXAGGERATINGTOFORCETHEM ABOUTOTHERPEOPLESOTHATEVERYONEKNOWSTHEIRFAULTSAND TORECOGNIZETHEGRAVITYOFTHESITUATION7HILETHEREMAY WEAKNESSES "UTTHISISADANGEROUSGAME FORTHEY NOTHAVEBEENANYLITERALWARORMURDER THETENSIONSAND ARESETTINGTHEMSELVESUPASJUDGESANDAREJUDGINGOTHERS DISPUTESWOULDHAVELEFTVICTIMS3UCHUSEOFLANGUAGEWAS BYTHEIROWNSETOFSTANDARDS*UDGMENTIS'ODSPREROGA PERFECTLYACCEPTABLEINANCIENTLITERATURE ANDISOFTENFOUND TIVE ANDHEISTHEONEWHOMAKESTHELAWS5SURPINGA INTHE0SALMSFOREXAMPLE 0S  FUNCTIONTHATISRIGHTLYHISISASIN 4HISSINENCOUR *AMESSEEKSTOSHOCKHISHEARERSBYBURSTINGOUTWITH AGESCONFLICTSANDOPENWARFAREWITHINTHECOMMUNITYAND ADULTEROUSPEOPLE )FWETAKETHISLITERALLY ITMEANS CLEARLYSHOWSAFAILURETOOBEY'ODSWORD ESPECIALLYIN THATSOMEOFTHEREADERSWEREGUILTYOFTHESINOFADULTERY RELATIONTOWHATITSAYSABOUTLOVEFOROURNEIGHBOURS "UTHEISSPEAKINGLIKEAN/4PROPHETHERE ANDWHATHEIS *AMESNOWGIVESASPECIFICEXAMPLEOFTHEPRIDEHE ACTUALLYSPEAKINGOFISSPIRITUALINFIDELITY7HENTHEPEOPLE CONDEMNEDIN!DDRESSINGABUSINESSMANORBUSINESS OF)SRAELTURNEDAWAYFROM'OD THEYWEREREGARDEDASAN WOMANWHOMAKESPLANSWITHOUTANYTHOUGHTOF'OD HE UNFAITHFULWIFE*ER  SAYSSOMETHINGLIKETHIS@9OUDRIVEYOURSELFHARDTOSUC *ESUSUSEDTHESAMEEXPRESSIONWHENHECALLEDTHE*EWS CEEDINBUSINESS BUTWITHOUT'OD9OUAREVERYSUREOF WHOWEREDEMANDINGMIRACLES@AWICKEDANDADULTEROUS YOURSELF!NDYETYOUARELIKEAMISTTHATAPPEARSANDDIS GENERATION-ATT 4HISTYPEOFINFIDELITYISCHARAC APPEARS  7HATISTHEGOODOFMAKINGLONG TERM TERIZEDBYFRIENDSHIPWITHTHEWORLD ONTHEBASISOFDESIRES PLANSWHENYOUDONTEVENKNOWWHATWILLHAPPENTOMOR ANDPLEASURES *AMESDENOUNCESSUCHCOMPROMISE ROW %ARLIER HEHADCOMPAREDRICHESTOAFLOWER   ANDDUPLICITY)TISIMPOSSIBLETOSERVE'ODANDTHEDESIRES 4HERICHPERSONWHOISCOUNTINGONHISRICHESANDTHEBUSI OFTHEWORLDATTHESAMETIME FORONECANNOTBESIMULTA NESSPERSONWITHOUT'ODAREALIKE"OTHAREGUILTYOFTHE NEOUSLYAFRIENDANDANENEMYOF'OD!CHOICEMUSTBE SINOFSELF SUFFICIENCY OFTHINKINGTHEYCANSUCCEEDONTHEIR MADE2EADING*AMESSUGGESTSTHATTHEREMUSTHAVEBEEN OWN"OTHWILLCOMEUPSHORTWHENTHEYCONFRONTTHEBREV MANYMENANDWOMENWITHDIVIDEDHEARTSINTHEGROUPSTO ITYOFLIFE   WHICHHEWASWRITING4HEYWERENODIFFERENTTHANTHOSE !TFIRSTGLANCE MAYSEEMTOLACKANYOBVIOUSCON WHODOUBTANDWHORESEMBLE@AWAVEOFTHESEABLOWNAND NECTIONTOWHAT*AMESHASBEENSAYINGSOFAR"UTWEHAVE TOSSEDBYTHEWIND  SEENTHATTHETHREADRUNNINGTHROUGHALLTHATHASBEENSAID 4HENEXTVERSE  ISDIFFICULTTOTRANSLATEANDHASNO ISTHENEEDTOLISTENTOTHEWORDOF'ODANDTHENAPPLYITIN EXACTPARALLELINEITHERTHE/4ORTHE.4*AMESMAYBEALLUD THEWAYWELIVE*AMESHASBEENDEALINGWITHTHEIMPLICA INGTOALOSTSACREDTEXTORTOA*EWISHTRADITION"UTTHE TIONSOF'ODSWORDEVERSINCETHEBEGINNINGOFTHELETTER POINTOFTHESENTENCEISTHAT'ODISJEALOUSASAHUSBAND #ONSEQUENTLY THOSEWHOHAVEREADTHISLETTERWILLHAVENO IS(EWILLNOTACCEPT#HRISTIANSLIVINGINDUPLICITY LIKEAN EXCUSEFORNOTPUTTINGINTOPRACTICEWHATTHEYHAVELEARNED UNFAITHFULWIFE )FTHEYDONOT THEYWILLBESINNINGBYOMISSION

14 *AMES n 

 4HE*UDGMENTOFTHE2ICH CONCERNSHOWNBYTHOSEWITHDIVIDEDHEARTSWHOSAYTHAT 3OCIETYHASALWAYSBEENCHARACTERIZEDBYTHEGULFBETWEEN THE,ORDWILLNEVERRETURN THEMAJORITYWHOAREPOORANDTHEHANDFULWHOARERICH )MPATIENCEALSOSHOWSITSELFINGRUMBLINGABOUTOTHER 4HELATTERARETHEPOWERFULONES4HEYSETTHEMSELVESUP #HRISTIANSANDABOUT'OD AND*AMESWARNSUSAGAINSTTHIS ABOVETHELAW4HEYMAKEDEMANDSTHATAREHARMFULTOTHE  'RUMBLINGISASIGNOFDISORDERANDMISUNDERSTAND INTERESTSOFTHEPOOR4HEYINSULTPOORPEOPLE DRAGTHEM ING ANDALSOREVEALSAFAILURETOCONTROLTHETONGUE WHICH INTOCOURT ANDSLANDERTHENOBLENAMEOFTHE,ORD   CAUSESGREATDAMAGEAMONG#HRISTIANSSEE  4HE *AMESDOESNOTCALLSUCHPEOPLE@BROTHERSBECAUSETHEYARE ,ORDWILLEXPRESSHISDISPLEASUREATITWHENHERETURNS NOTPARTOFTHEFAMILY EVENIFTHEYATTENDCHURCH "UT 7HILEWEAWAITTHATGREATDAY OURPATIENCEWILLBETRIED 'ODWILLJUDGETHEMONTHATDAYWHENEVERYONEWILLAPPEAR BYSUFFERING JUSTASTHEPATIENCEOFTHEPROPHETSWAS  BEFORETHETRUEJUDGETOACCOUNTFORTHEIRBEHAVIOUR  4HEYSPOKEOUTINTHENAMEOFTHE,ORDDESPITEGREATOPPO 4HATDAYWILLBEONEOFWEEPINGANDMISERYFORTHERICH SITION4HEYDIDNOTGIVEUPANDFAILINTHEIRMISSIONBECAUSE WITHOUT'OD4HERICHESTHEYRELIEDONWILLEVAPORATEnAND HOPEWASALIVEINTHEIRHEARTS4HEYBELIEVEDTHATTHEDAYOF WILLEVENBEUSEDASEVIDENCEAGAINSTTHEM   THE,ORDWASNEAR7EADMIREPEOPLELIKETHAT 4HEWEALTHTHERICHHAVEHOARDEDSHOULDHAVEBEENUSED !NOTHERPERSON NOTAPROPHET WHOSUFFEREDPATIENTLY TOPAYFAIRWAGESTOTHEIREMPLOYEESA 4HISINJUSTICEIS WAS*OB (EFEARED'ODANDALSOENDUREDGREATSUF YETANOTHERMAJORADDITIONTOTHECATALOGUEOFWRONGSTHEY FERING!NYONEWHOLOVES'ODMAYHAVETOFACESUFFERING HAVECOMMITTED"UTTHEREISIRONYINTHEFACTTHATTHOSE BUTBYTHEENDOFITTHEYWILLKNOW'ODBETTER ANDHAVEA SAMERICHPEOPLEWHODRAGGEDOTHERSBEFORECOURTS FARDEEPERUNDERSTANDINGOFHISLOVEANDMERCY WILLTHEMSELVESBEJUDGEDINCOURTBYTHE,ORD!LMIGHTY OR @THE,ORDOF(OSTSTHATIS ARMIES WHODEFENDSHISPEOPLE 4RUTH B 4HEPOORWILLBETHEONESTOLAYTHECHARGE AND THERICHWILLBEPOWERLESSBEFORETHISJUDGE WHOCANNOTBE *AMESTELLSTHEBELIEVERS DONOTSWEARnNOTBYHEAVENOR MANIPULATEDORBRIBED BYEARTHORBYANYTHINGELSESEEALSO-ATT )N 4HERICHWILLFACEJUDGMENTONTHELASTDAY BUTSOME 'REEKAND*EWISHCULTURE WHENONESWOREBYTHEHEAV EVENFACEJUDGMENTNOWASARESULTOFTHEIROVEREATINGAND ENSORBYEARTH ONEWASASKINGADIVINITYTOATTESTTOTHE DRINKING )NOURDAY WETALKOFTHEILLNESSESOFTHE TRUTHOFWHATONEWASSAYING*AMESISSTRONGLYOPPOSEDTO RICH4HEIRANXIETIESANDOVERINDULGENCELEADTOSTRESSAND THISBECAUSETHOSEWHOLIVEINTRUTHDONTNEEDANYFURTHER SHORTENTHEIRLIVES!LLTHETHOUGHTTHEYHAVEPUTINTOTHEIR WITNESS LEASTOFALLFROMSOMEDIVINITY)NOTHERWORDS A INVESTMENTSWILLPROVEUSELESSASTHEYARESEPARATEDFROM BELIEVERWILLALWAYSSPEAKONLYTHETRUTH THEMBYDEATH  4RUE#HRISTIAN#OMMUNITIES  (OPE *AMESISLOOKINGFORWARDTOREAL#HRISTIANCOMMUNITIES %NDURANCE PATIENCEANDHOPEARETHREEIMPORTANTTHEMES WHOSEMEMBERSPUTTHEWORDOF'ODINTOPRACTICE3UCH INTHISLETTER4HEYBLENDWELLWITHTHECENTRALTHEMEOF COMMUNITIESWILLRESISTTEMPTATIONSANDOVERCOMETESTING PUTTINGTHEWORDINTOPRACTICE&AITHSHOULDEXPRESSITSELFIN WILLTAKECAREOFTHEPOOR OFORPHANSANDOFWIDOWS AND CONCRETEACTION3OCIETYJUDGES#HRISTIANSNOTONTHEFAITH WILLBEEXAMPLESOFIMPARTIALITY ENDURANCEANDPATIENCE THEYPROFESSBUTONTHEWAYTHEYLIVE&ORHISPART THE,ORD 2ESPONDTO*OYAND3ORROW WHOISCOMINGBACK WILLJUDGEUSONTHEWORKSTHATRESULT FROMOURFAITHIN*ESUS#HRIST7EARENOTSAVEDBYTHESE !LLBELIEVERSWILLEXPERIENCETIMESOFJOYANDTIMESOFSOR WORKS BUTWEWILLBEHELDACCOUNTABLEFORTHEM ROW*AMESMADETHISPOINTCLEARLYATTHEVERYBEGINNING 0UTTINGTHEWORDINTOPRACTICEREQUIRESPATIENCEAND OFHISLETTER  4HEREWILLBETESTS TEMPTATIONSAND ENDURANCEBECAUSEWEWILLFACEMANYTEMPTATIONS TESTS SOMETIMESCONFLICTSAMONGFELLOW#HRISTIANS4HEREWILL OBSTACLESANDCHALLENGES7EMUSTIMITATEFARMERS!FTER ALSOBEJOY FOR*AMESHASSAIDTHATPRACTISINGTHEWORDWILL HAVINGWORKEDHARDTOGETTHECROPINTOTHESOIL THEYWAIT BRINGLIFEANDGIVEHAPPINESS  PATIENTLYFORTHEHARVEST WHICHWILLCOMEATTHERIGHTTIME *AMESADVICEONHOWTORESPONDTODIFFERENTCIRCUM NEITHERTOOEARLYNORTOOLATE *USTASTHEFARMERWAITS STANCESISSIMPLE)NTIMESOFSUFFERING PRAYA 4ELL FORTHEDAYOFHARVESTOROFREWARD SOWEWHOSERVETHE 'ODABOUTYOURPHYSICALORSPIRITUALPAINANDWAITFORHIM ,ORDMUSTWAITPATIENTLYFORHISRETURN 0ATIENCEWILL TODELIVERYOU IFTHATISHISWILL9OUSHOULDEXPRESSYOUR HELPUSTOAVOIDBOTHTHEFEVERISHSPECULATIONABOUTTHEDATE DEPENDENCEONHIM)NTIMESOFJOY THERESHOULDBETHANKS OFHISRETURNTHATCHARACTERIZESSOMEGROUPSANDTHELACKOF GIVINGANDSONGSOFPRAISEB "YSINGING WETELL'OD OFOURTHANKSGIVINGANDTELLHIMWHATHEMEANSTOUS7E

15  *AMES n

COULDDOTHESAMEINAPRAYER BUTSINGINGISBETTERBECAUSE OFARIGHTEOUSMANISPOWERFULANDEFFECTIVEB 4HISIS BOTHTHEWORDSANDTHERHYTHMANDMELODYCANEXPRESSOUR ANOTHER3EMITICEXPRESSION)NTHE/4 THERIGHTEOUSWERE JOY AJOYTHATCANCOMEONLYFROM'OD THOSEWHOFEARED'ODANDOBEYEDHISWORD4HEYWOULD BEREWARDEDBYTHE,ORD)NTHECONTEXTOFTHISLETTER THE  #AREFORTHE3ICK RIGHTEOUSARETHOSEWHOSESINSHAVEBEENCONFESSEDAND !COMMUNITYTHATISFAITHFULTOTHEWORDALSOCARESFORTHE FORGIVEN4HEIRPRAYERSAREEFFECTIVEBECAUSE'ODLISTENSTO SICK *AMESRECOMMENDSCALLINGTHEELDERS THATIS THEM(ECANNOTLISTENTOANYONEWHOISHARD HEARTEDAND THEPEOPLEWITHRESPONSIBILITYFORLEADINGTHECHURCHWHO LIVESINSIN*AMESCITESTHEEXAMPLEOF%LIJAHASSOMEONE THUSHAVESOMEAUTHORITY4HROUGHTHEIRINTERVENTIONBY WHOSEPRAYERSWEREEFFECTIVESEE+GSn 'OD ANOINTINGWITHOILANDPRAYINGFORTHEONEWHOISSICK THE LISTENEDTOHISPRAYERBECAUSEHEWASRIGHTEOUS)F'ODDID WHOLECHURCHOFFERSSUPPORTTOTHATPERSON THATFOR%LIJAH WHYWOULDHENOTDOITFORUSTODAY 7HENAMEMBERISSICK THEWHOLEBODYISCONCERNED)N OTHERWORDS THECHURCHISAPLACEOFHEALINGFORTHESICK  #AREFORTHE,OST "UTITISNEITHERTHEOILNORTHEELDERSTHATHEAL BUTITISTHE *AMESCLOSESHISLETTERWITHASADPOSSIBILITY4HECOMMUNI ,ORDHIMSELF SINCETHEANOINTINGISDONEINHISNAME TYTAKESCAREOFTHEPOORANDOFTHENEEDYSUCHASORPHANS 3OMEIN!FRICABELIEVEITISACTUALLYTHEOILITSELFTHAT WIDOWSANDTHOSEWHOARESICK)TSHOULDALSOCAREFORANY HASMIRACULOUSPOWERTOHEAL/THERSTHINKTHATHEALING ONEWHOMAYWANDERFROMTHETRUTH (ESEEMSTOBE DEPENDSONTHEQUALITYOFTHEOILUSED3UCHPEOPLEMUST SPEAKINGOFAHYPOTHETICALCASERATHERTHANONEHEHASSPE STOPTHINKINGOFTHEOILASSACREDORASPOSSESSINGSPECIAL CIFICALLYHEARDOF3OMEBELIEVERSMAYWANDERAWAYFROM POWERSANDMUSTCLINGONLYTOTHEPROMISESOF'OD4HATIS THEWORDANDLIVEINSIN4HEYWILLFOLLOWPATHSTHATDIVERGE WHYTHEAUTHOROFTHISLETTERRECOMMENDSPRAYER )T FROMTHEPATHOFWALKINGWITH'OD5NLESSTHECOMMUNITY ISTHEPRAYEROFFAITHRATHERTHANTHEREPETITIONOFSPECIAL INTERVENES SUCHPEOPLEWILLDIEINTHEIRSIN4HISDOESNOT FORMULASTHATBRINGSMIRACULOUSHEALING MEANTHATTHEYWILLLOSESALVATION SINCETHATISBASEDON 4HEPHRASETRANSLATEDWILLMAKETHESICKPERSONWELLCAN FAITH"UTITISAPITYTHATSOMEONEWOULDDIEWITHOUTGET ALSOBETRANSLATEDAS@SHALLSAVETHESICK+*6 *AMESTHEN TINGSPIRITUALHELPFROMTHECHURCH4HECOMMUNITYSHOULD ADDS IFHEHASSINNED HEWILLBEFORGIVEN 4HISLINKING NOTBEJUDGMENTALBUTSHOULDLOVINGLYSEEKTOLEADSUCHA OFHEALINGANDFORGIVENESSHASLEDSOMETOTHINKTHATHEAL PERSONBACKINTOTHEWAYOF'OD  INGOFTHEBODYISANINTEGRALPARTOFSALVATION4HEPROBLEM 4HISLASTPARAGRAPHOFTHELETTERCONFIRMSTHAT*AMESCAN WITHTHISPOSITIONISTHATSOMEONEMAYFALLSICKSEVERAL NOTBEOPPOSEDTO0AULSEETHE)NTRODUCTION (EDOESNOT TIMESANDBEHEALEDASARESULTOFPRAYER"UTONEDAYTHAT SETWORKSUPAGAINSTFAITH4HOSEWHOARELOSTARENOTTHOSE PERSONMAYFINALLYFALLILLANDDIE3UCHADEATHDOESNOT WHOHAVENEGLECTEDWORKSBUTTHOSEWHOHAVEDISTANCED MEANTHATTHEPERSONHASFORFEITEDSALVATION/URSALVATION THEMSELVESFROMTHETRUTH THATIS FROMTHEFAITH!FRICAIS ISDEFINITEANDETERNAL7HATTHISPASSAGEISTEACHINGISTHAT FERTILEGROUNDFORNEWRELIGIONSANDSECTS MAKINGITMORE THEHEALINGOFTHEBODYISASIGNOFOURREDEMPTION"YHEAL IMPORTANTTHANEVERTOBEWELLROOTEDINBIBLICALTRUTHS INGOURBODIESANDFORGIVINGOURSINS THE,ORDSHOWSUS THROUGHREADINGANDSTUDYINGTHEWORDOF'OD*AMESFOCUS THATHESAVESUSFROMETERNALDEATH!FTERALL IFHECANHEAL ONTRUTHATTHEENDOFHISLETTERUNDERMINESANYASSERTION ANDFORGIVE HOWMUCHMORECANHESAVE THATALLHEISINTERESTEDINISWORKS 4HESESSIONOFGROUPPRAYERISALSOATIMEFORMUTUAL 3OLOMON!NDRIA CONFESSIONA 3INISADANGEROUSENEMYOFTHECOM MUNITY(ENCEITISIMPORTANTTOARTICULATEANDEXPRESSOUR &URTHER2EADING SINS EVENTHEMOSTSUBTLEONESANDTHOSEWECONSIDERINSIG !DAMSON *AMES4HE%PISTLEOF*AMES.)#.4'RAND2APIDS NIFICANT BEFORE'ODANDBEFOREOTHERBELIEVERS4HISISTHE %ERDMANS  ONLYWAYTOCOMBATTHEM!CCORDINGTOTHEPROMISEOF'ODS -OO $OUGLAS*AMES4.4,EICESTER)NTER 6ARSITY0RESS  WORD MUTUALCONFESSIONBRINGSHEALINGBECAUSETHEPRAYER 2ALPH0-ARTIN *AMES7"#7ACO7ORD 

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