Mhango, Happy Chifwafwa (2004) Reading the Bible through the eyes of women and the oppressed: in search for justice and liberation in Malawi. PhD thesis. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/2339/ Copyright and moral rights for this thesis are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the Author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the Author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Glasgow Theses Service http://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] Reading the Bible through the eyes of Women and the Oppressed: In search for Justice and Liberation in Malawi Department of Theology and Religious Studies Happy Chifwafwa Mhango A Thesis submitted for the Degree of Ph.D. University of Glasgow April 2004 AUTHOR'S DECLARATION I declare and affirm that this thesis expresses in its completeness my own special work formed by myself, and no part of this thesis has been successfully presented in return for any degree in this University or elsewhere. All noteworthy quotations have been acknowledged in the footnotes. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It is now proper and appropriate to express my heartfelt appreciation for the kind of support, assistance and help of many people in the course of my research and the realisation of this thesis. First and foremost, lowe my immense gratitude and thanks to God the Almighty for giving me good health and making this thesis a reality. My special thanks also go to Supervisors, Professor John K. Riches and Professor John M.G. Barclay for their relentless efforts, guidance and helpful insights and encouragement in working with me diligently. Their scholarly criticisms, remarks and suggestions were heavily appreciated. I am proud to say their insightful and helpful comments helped to shape this thesis. At the same time, I also thank Dr Susan E. Miller for her wisdom, encouragement and friendship. I am greatly indebted to my Church, the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), Synod of Livingstonia for endorsing my study leave to undertake my research in the United Kingdom, at the University of Glasgow. I am aware that this happened hardly a year after my coming back from the first successful study leave to pursue studies in the United States of America, at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. I acknowledge with gratitude their endorsement and support throughout my course of research. This enabled me to widen my horizon and perspective of events, interpretations and understandings in the face of the present reality. The family and I sincerely applaud this memorable opportunity in our lifetime. While I appreciate all members of Livingstonia Synod, I want to mention in particular the former General Secretary, the Rev. Dr Overtoun P. Mazunda, the current General Secretary, Rev. Howard M. Nkhoma, Deputy General Secretary, Rev. Ted A.G. Mwambila, the Moderator and former Moderator, Revs. Morris C.B. Munthali and Henry K. Mvula, and the General Treasurer, Mr Harry C.T. Nthakomwa for their encouragement and availability throughout my course of study. I am also grateful to Professors Marion L. Soards, Dianne Reistroffer and the President John M. Mulder of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Kentucky, USA. Their relentless efforts in motivating, supporting and initiating the process to undertake this research in the United Kingdom, at the University of Glasgow, and soliciting funds to enable me to complete this course of study are highly acknowledged. All I can say is 11 thank you a million times and lowe you bountifully. Similarly, I am grateful to the Outreach Foundation of the Presbyterian Church in USA for giving me a scholarship in the course of study in this programme. Without their holistic and timely support this course of research would have not materialised. I thank Rev. Dr William Brian the retired Executive Director for his wisdom, understanding and generosity. Here in Scotland, I extend my special appreciation again to Professor & Mrs John K. Riches and the Scottish Episcopal Church (Anglican) in Edinburgh; the Church of Scotland, Board of W orId Mission; Maryhill Parish Church; Mearns Kirk Parish Church; Anderson Kelvingrove Parish Church; Wellington Parish Church and the University of Glasgow, Department of Theology and Religious Studies for supporting me and the family spiritually, financially and materially. I am also grateful to my family who joined me in the United Kingdom in my second year of research. This includes my dear wife Emelidah and our dear daughters and sons: Mickdonah, Lusekero, Deborah, Ipyana and Ulunji. They have been an incentive to carry this research effectively and to a reality. May God bless them abundantly! I thank May and Irene, Rev. & Mrs Anthony Craig, Rev. Leith Fisher, Rev. & Mrs Helen Quinn of Belfast, Mr James Hamilton, Dr. Gabriel Ansah, Mr & Mrs Donnie McKinnon, Mr & Mrs Tom Walker, Mr Walter Dunlop, Mrs Moreen Small, and Pat Duncan to mention but a few. I know there are many people who have supported us in one way or the other whose names have not been recorded in this acknowledgement because of shortness of space. I hope God knows their profound contributions and, therefore, would likewise equally reward their good Samaritanship to me abundantly. I will be very unwise not to express my profound appreciation to the leadership and members of the following denominations: Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, the Church of the Nazarene, the Assemblies of God Church and my own Church the CCAP. I salute all for granting me permission to do Contextual Bible Studies in their denominations and I acknowledge their immense contributions which have shaped this thesis. I wouldn't be wrong to say, they were more than ordinary readers in the readings of the texts. My special thanks go to Revs. Rodric V. Mhango, Mollen K. Chilongo, Samuel Daka, Father Phiri, the late Wasambo Kayira, Barry Kalua, Sheri Mhango, Jane Nyangulu, Gene Nyauhango, Marjorie Sichali, Grace Kulupando, III Mapopa Shaba, and all those who spared their time to respond to my questionnaire. I thank them very much and may the good Lord bless them. Lastly but not least, I am most grateful to my parents, brothers, sisters, the entire family and friends for their moral support and love throughout all the years of my research course. Special thanks go to my Dad, Henry Briston Chifwafwa Mhango, my brother, Daniel Asayi1e Mhango, brother-in-law, Hackson Ngufwilikisa Mwenitete, for being so meaningful to me. On a sad note, I thank my late Mum, Annettie Lughali who passed away on 22 August 2002 away from me and the family. However, I want to dedicate this thesis in honour of her for her unforgettable wisdom and encouragement since I accepted the call to serve God in this ministry. Despite the pain and suffering endured in her loss, I salute her in establishing in me the foundation that I now cherish. I am also grateful to dedicate this thesis to our last-born boy, U1unji for his moral support and persistent question and answer: 'Dad where are you going? Library, okay, bye, see you later.' To him, I say, my going to the library has enabled me to produce this work. Thank you very much U1unji for your everyday escort address! Finally, my immense appreciation goes to all Postgraduates in the Biblical Studies' Seminar at Glasgow University and other Scottish Universities for creating a stimulating environment conducive to study the New Testament. The critical approach of interpreting biblical texts discussed in these seminars and conferences were insightful and helpful to shape this thesis. Therefore, may this piece of research work be useful for the intended purpose. IV ABSTRACT This thesis examines the importance, in the search for justice and liberation in Malawi, of reading the bible through the eyes of women and the oppressed. Serious questions have been raised in Malawian Church and Society concerning the inferiority and subordination of women and the oppressed, particularly the poor and marginalised groups and their role and place in the holy ministry. Since the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in Malawi nearly 130 years ago, women and the oppressed groups have been discriminated against in various ways. They have not taken an active share have been discriminated against in various ways. They have not taken an active share and responsibility in the whole community life of society, and have not participated fully and more widely in the various fields ofthe Church's structures. The coming of Missionaries to Malawi set a solid Christian foundation. The bible which they brought has been used by the church and individual members for cultural, educational, socio-political and religious transformation. However, despite this foundation, women have continued to experience a subordinate social status both domestically and in society. Their low status stems from traditional values and cultural practices, as well as religious prescriptions, low education and low economic status. Men have taken advantage of their societal and religious position to exploit and marginalise women and the oppressed groups. The problem is located in the understanding and interpretation of the bible. The patriarchal religion found in the bible has immensely contributed to the oppression and exploitation of women in our churches and societies. The biblical readings that have dominated in churches are patriarchal and androcentric. These patriarchal readings put women and the oppressed on the periphery and displace them as if they are insignificant in history and social life. In respect to this, the thesis critically challenges the patriarchal reading of the texts which oppresses and marginalises women, and seeks to bring respect and dignity to them by employing a historical critical reading that leads to a liberative reading.