Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 1980 Teaching the Bible to Black Africans : (Toward a Methodological Approach to Bible Teaching Applied to the Beti Tribes of South- Cameroon) Joseph Nkou Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the African Languages and Societies Commons, Education Commons, and the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Nkou, Joseph, "Teaching the Bible to Black Africans : (Toward a Methodological Approach to Bible Teaching Applied to the Beti Tribes of South-Cameroon)" (1980). Dissertations. 603. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/603 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. 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Other _________________________________________________________________________ University Microfilms International Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews U n iv ers ity School o f Graduate Studies TEACHING THE BIBLE TO BLACK AFRICANS (Toward a methodological approach to Bible teaching applied to the Beti tribes of South-Cameroon) A Dissertation Presented in partial fulfillment o f the Requirements fo r the Degree Doctor of Education by Joseph Nkou August 1980 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TEACHING THE BIBLE TO BLACK AFRICANS (Toward a methodological approach to Bible teaching applied to the Beti tribes of South-Cameroon) A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment o f the Requirements fo r the Degree Doctor of Education by Joseph Nkou APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE Chairman\ VnJJr utcher Dean, School o f Graduate Studies member: MGeorge_H.^ Akers m l Committee m . Coetzee Committee member: Russell Staples / / 1 . /it t /pro Externa ir.er:*Douglas Waterhouse Date ^(5 proved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT TEACHING THE BIBLE TO BLACK AFRICANS (Toward a methodological approach to Bible teaching applied to the Beti tribes of South-Cameroon) by Joseph Nkou Chairman: Wilfred Futcher Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews U n iversity Department of Education T it le : TEACHING THE BIBLE TO BLACK AFRICANS (Toward a methodological approach to Bible teaching applied to the Beti tribes of South-Cameroon) Name of researcher: Joseph Nkou Name and degree of faculty adviser: Wilfred G. A. Futcher, Ph.D. Date completed: August 1980 Problem This study is concerned with methods of teaching the Bible in Black Africa and particularly among the Beti tribes of South Cameroon. The Gospel message has been brought to the Beti people through the ministry of Western instructors. Some have claimed their teaching to be irrelevant to the Africans. It appeared necessary, then, to find out in what way that teaching was irrelevant to Beti people and to suggest positive methods which could be applied in order to facilitate the Beti grasp of the Christian message and, consequently, to predispose them to a full and inner acceptance of the Gospel. 1 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 2 Method Three main research methods have been used: 1. A review o f a v a ila b le lite r a tu r e dealing with methods of teaching the Bible in Africa, with the religious, social, and cultural background of the Beti. 2. Interviews with selected outstanding Beti scholars. The interviews were recorded and transcribed for analyzing. 3. A statistical chi-square analysis of the responses to a survey questionnaire in which four hundred Beti villagers were involved: including young and old people, illiterate and educated, Christians and non-C hristians, men and women. Findings The findings can be summarized in three main areas: 1. An acquaintance with the Beti people, who live mainly in South Cameroon. They o rig in a lly believed in , among other secondary gods, an ultimate God, called Zamba, or Ntondo obe. They worshipped through specific rites and are characterized by specific patterns of thought and a consistent set of values. 2. The general external methods which should be considered, if the Christian message is to be conveyed in relevant terms to the Beti, are namely, the importance of communication, values, patterns of thought, needs finding, a positive example, progressive revelation, and the authority of the Bible. 3. There are specific biblical issues which have positive cortmon points with Beti beliefs (God, Jesus Christ, the Word of God, baptism, the Holy Supper) and other biblical teachings with which Beti beliefs are in apparent conflict with the Gospel Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. (polygamy, Christian diet, ancestors, origin of sin, and the law o f God). Conclusion It appears then that a knowledge of the religious beliefs, the values, and the thought patterns of Beti people on the part of the religious educator creates an atmosphere of reciprocal con­ fidence, esteem, and appreciation. This helps to establish a positive communication which is the primary condition for a fru it­ fu l dialogue between the Beti people and the Gospel worker.