JESUS, THE MASTER OF LIFE: A STUDY OF JOHN 11:1-44 UTILIZING THE TRI-POLAR EXEGETICAL MODEL OF DRAPER, GRENHOLM AND PATTE GABRIEL SAMBA Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Theology in the School of Theology, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. Supervisor: Professor Jonathan A. DRAPER December 2002 -1 ­ DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my father and my mother, innocent victims of civil wars and witchcraft accusations; And to my young sister, the last born ofour family who has been disabled by sickness and has been prevented by poverty to continue her studies. May God comfort you and bless you. -I1­ DECLARATION I hereby declare that this dissertation is my own reflection and a record of my own work. To my knowledge it has not been submitted in any previous application for assessment. However, since we build on other's fragments, the sources ofmy information have been specifically acknowledged by means ofreferences and footnotes, and all quotations have been indicated by quotation marks or in small print and set back. ·-Ill- CONTENTS Dedication -1- Declaration -II- Contents -IlI- Acknowledgment, -IX- Abstract. -XI- List ofAbbreviations -XII- CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION -1- 1.1 Problematic and interest ofthe topic -1- 1.2 Reasons justifying the choice ofthe topic and relevance ofthe study -3- 1.3 Delimitation ofthe investigation -5- 1.4 Approach and Methodology -6- 1.5 Outline -8- CHAPTER TWO: METHODOLOGICAL INTRODUCTION: THE TRI-POLAR EXEGETICAL MODEL'S NARRATIVE THEORy -10- 2.1 Genesis ofthe Tri-Polar Exegetical Model.. -11- 2.1.1 Scriptural criticism as an expression ofscriptural reading by Christian believers -12- 2.1.2 Conceptualization ofthe scriptural criticism: role ofGrenholm and Patte -14- 2.2 Description ofthe Tri-Polar Model ofGrenholm and Patte -16- 2.2.1 A scriptural text ~ -16- 2.2.2 The believers ' life -17- 2.2.3 The believers ' religious perception oflife -18- 2.3 Tri-Polar Exegetical Model: reformulation and description ofJonathan Draper.. -I9- -IV- 2.3.1 Reformulation -20- 2.3.2 Description ofthe Tri-Polar Exegetical Model.. -21- 2.3.2. 1 Distantiation -2]- 2.3.2.2 Contextualisation -23- 2.3.2.3 Appropriation -24- 2.4 Critical commentary ofthe model -25- 2.4.1 Potential ofthe modeL -25- 2.4.1.1 An integrated interpretive practice -25- 2.4.1.2 A Paideia model.. -29- 2.4.1.3 A comparative and review model.. -36- 2.4.2 Limits ofthe model. -36- 2.4.2.1 Risk ofa retreat into pietism -37- 2.4.2.2 Risk ofconsidering all readings of the text as "exegesis" -38- 2.4.2.3 Risk ofinterweaving the moments of the model. -40- 2.5 Conclusion -41- CHAPTER THREE: DISTANTIATION ]: NARRATIVE STRUCTURE -42- 3.1 Literary context -42- 3.] .] Immediately preceding context. -43- 3.1.1.1 John 's concept of ~c.oil and \jfuXl1 -44- 3.1.1.2 Jesus ' exercise ofdivine life-giving prerogative -46- 3.] .1.3 Jesus ' shepherding -48- 3.].2 Immediately following context -52- 3.].3 Wider context -55- 3.].3.] The sings theme -56- 3.] .3.2 The glory theme _58_ 3.1.3.3 The life theme _62- 3.].3.4 The mission of Christian-disciple-apostle -64- -v- 3.2 The plot. -65- 3.2.1 Internal focalization _ -66- 3.2.2 External focalization -69- 3.2.3 Diagram -71- 3.3 Characterization -72- 3.3.1 Jesus -72- 3.3.2 The disciples -76- 3.3.3 Thomas -77- 3.3.4 Martha and Mary -79- 3.3.5 Lazarus -85- 3.3.6 The Jews -88- 3.4 Structure -91- 3.4.1 Literary difficulties -92- 3.4.2 Basic scenes ofthe peope -94- 3.5 Conclusion -95- I CHAPTER FOUR: DISTANTIATION 2: NARRATIVE MEANING -96- 4.1 Sickness in Lazarus' story -96- 4.1.1 Nature ofLazarus' sickness -98- 4.1.2 Symbolic meaning ofsickness in Lazarus' story -102- 4.2 Jesus' attitude towards Lazarus ' sickness -106- 4.2.1 Theological importance of]esus' delays -109- 4.2.2 Human response to God 's initiative -112- 4.2.3 The symbolic importance ofthe movement in the Lazarus story -114- 4.3 Death in the Lazarus story -120- 4.3.1 Jesus ' death in the context ofthe Lazarus story -120- 4.3.2 Lazarus' death -125- 4.3 .3 The death ofthe disciples _129- -VI- 4.4 Causality ofsickness and death -132- 4.5 Conclusion -133- CHAPTER FIVE : CONTEXTUALISATION -135- 5.1 Analysis and evaluation ofthe Congolese context -135- 5.1.1 The overall situation ofthe African Continent.. -136- 5.1.2 The context ofCongo-Brazzaville: A context ofcrisis ofvalues -138- 5.1.2.1 The sad fate ofthe population -141- 5.1.2.2 Trivialization ofdeath and life -144- 5.2 Causes ofthe crisis ofvalues in the context ofCongo-Brazzaville -146- 5.2.1 The crisis ofvalues ofyoung people in Congo-Brazzaville is the consequence of the twenty-seven years ofMarxism-Leninism -146- 5.2.2 Marxism-Leninism in Congo-Brazzaville -149- 5.3 Historical background ofthe crisis ofvalues in Congo-Brazzaville -153- 5.3.1 The French colonial administration -153- 5.3.2 The role ofthe Church in the context ofCongo-Brazzaville -158- 5.3.2.1 The role ofthe Church during the colonial period -158- 5.3.2.2 The role ofthe Church in the post-colonial period in Congo-Brazzaville -162- 5.3.3 Traditional religious belief. : -166- 5.3.3.1 Terminology and traditional background -167- 5.3.3.2 Manifestations ofwitchcraft and its consequences in human life -170- 5.3.4 My own particular context. -173- 5.4 Conclusion -176- CHAPTER SIX: APPROPRIATION: EXPLORATION OF THE FINDINGS OF EXEGESIS IN TERMS OF AFRICAN VALOES AND PROVERBS -177- 6. I Findings ofthe exegesis ofJohn 11:1-44 -178- -VII- 6.1.1 Sickness, suffering and death as a way ofglory -178- 6.1.1.1 The Congolese understanding ofglory -180- 6.2 Jesus ' teaching and example -183- 6.2.1 God reveals glory in the power ofweakness -184- 6.2.2 Making sickness, suffering and death a part ofour lives -186- 6.2.3 Redemptive suffering -189- 6.3 Jesus ' mental attitude in Lazarus' story -190- 6.3.1 Setting aside a problematic interpretation -190- 6.3.1.1 The danger ofStory's interpretation in the context ofCongo-Brazzaville.-195- 6.3.1.2 Cause and target ofJesus' outburst ofanger.. -199- 6.3.2 Jesus ' anger as an expression ofinjured love and a mode ofGod 's reaction to human beings -203- 6.3.2.1 Shepherding mission -206- 6.3.2.2 A challenge for protection and security -208- 6.3.2.3 A challenge for unity and peace -209- 6.4. Discerning God 's active presence in the context ofCongo-Brazzaville -210- 6.4.1 Signs and events -211- 6.4.2 Toward witnesses -212- 6.5 The work ofGod as signs ofhope and faith in God 's active presence and the future of Congo-Brazzaville -215- 6.5.1 The dynamics ofsocial change in Congo-Brazzaville -216- 6.5.2 Taking responsibility ofour conditions -217- 6.6 African values and proverbs -217- 6.6.1 Fundamental aspects and impact ofthe family in the context ofCongo- Brazzaville -222- 6.6.2 African values and proverbs in the context ofCongo-Brazzaville -225- 6.6.2.1 The common responsibility of the education ofa child -225- 6.6.2.2 Relevance ofthe proverbs in the context ofCongo-Brazzaville -227- 6.6.2.3 Dynamic oflncuIturation -228- -VIII- 6.7 Conclusion -234- CHAPTER SEVEN: GENERAL CONCLUSION -235- SELECTIVE BIBLIOGRAPHy -238- 1. Text and Versions -238- 2. Dictionaries, Lexicons, Grammars and Encyclopedias -238- 3. Introductions and Commentairies -241- 4. General. -242- 5. Liturgical Documents, Magazines, Newspapers and Internet. -251- -IX­ ACKNOWLEDGMENT I would like to express my sincere thanks to the many people who have contributed to make this dissertation a reality. Particular thanks are due to Rev. Victor Zinkuratire, Head ofthe Department ofBiblical Studies at The Catholic University ofEastern Africa in Nairobi , who recommended me to the University ofNatal through his colleague and friend Gerald West. I am sincerely grateful to professor Gerald West for having considered the recommendation ofFather Victor and proceeded to introduce my application at the School of Theology. At this level, special thanks are due to professor Philippe Denis who did not spare any effort for my admission at the University ofNatal. I also owe a debt to my confreres American Dominicans in Nairobi , without whose assistance I would perhaps never been given my study permit. Furthermore, this work would never been realised were it not for the patient reading and understanding, rigour and careful supervision of my attempts and for the essential directions and timely corrections ofmy principal supervisor, namely Professor Jonathan A. Draper. He merits my heartiest thanks. In a special way, I also thank Gabriel Marie Tchonang who gathered most ofthe data for my work from the university ofStrasbourg in France . To those who assisted me, supported me and encouraged in one way or another: Father Albert Nolan, FatherKees Keijsper, FatherMartin Badenhorst, Symphorien Ntibagirirwa, Dominic Chihota, Stan Muyebe, John Restrepo, Happy Patrick Mzumara, Mrs Smith, Euthalie Nyirabega, Viviane Deigna, Innocent Nzeyimana, and all my brothers and sisters ofthe French speaking community in -x- Pietermaritzburg, I also say thank you very much. Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to those who voluntarily took initiative and pains to check my broken English (or the Greek text ) before submission, namely the Dominican sisters at Villa Siena, Father Edward Dougherty, S.1., Mrs Patricia Bruce and Marion Jordaan.