This article traces the rise and development of intercultural Biblical exegesis in Africa, especially with regard to New Testament interpretations. Different trends of Biblical exegesis practiced in Africa are explored, whereafter the different phases of intercultural exegesis are discussed. The focus falls on inculturation hermeneutic as an important method of interpreting the Bible in an African context. The different proponents of this method are discussed and differences in approach are noted and appraised as a healthy tension
This article presents a model for "intercultural exegesis" and applies this model to Luke 22:69 and Acts 7:56. In this process, the term "Son of Man" is approached from two perspectives: that of a biblical culture in the first century Graeco-Roman world, and that of a current Christian culture in Africa. The study concludes that the "Son of Man" concept in the selected texts not only includes a reference to the eschatological saviour, judge and defender, but also creates a sense of Jesus' solidarity with his fellow human beings. Such an understanding would certainly have led to Jesus' exaltation by his followers, who lived under conditions of social turmoil in the Graeco-Roman world of the first century, and would lead to such an exaltation by those who experience similar circumstances in Africa today.
The role that Africa has played in the history of Bible translation since the event of the LXX is impressive. Yet, there is still a lot that Africa can contribute to Bible translation theory and practice. Following a previous study on this topic (LobaMkole 2008), this paper attempts to articulate how African theology of reconstruction can contribute to enhance new ways of understanding and doing Bible translation in Africa. Jesse N. K. Mugambi remains one of the most known proponents of reconstruction theology in Africa. The first section of the present study seeks to appreciate Mugambi's contribution in the light of other similar writings, especially those from Kinshasa school of theology and Charles Villa-Vicencio from South Africa. Generally speaking, reconstruction paradigm is meant to rebuild all sectors of life in Africa, including Church ministries of which Bible translation constitutes an integral part. The second part will point out areas in which reconstruction paradigm is able to contribute specifically in the field of Bible translation.
This article raises the question of the balance between prayer and work. This topic is discussed through an intercultural approach of Paul’s recommendation about praying and working without ceasing (1 Th 1:9; 3:10). The main hypothesis postulates that constant prayer and work are associated with the concepts of thanksgiving (words of the εὐχαριστ-lemma) and exemplarity. It is argued that Pauline recommendations about praying and working without ceasing prove to be supported not only by an original biblical culture, but also by a church culture as well as a currently emerging African culture
The present study offers an intercultural exegesis of Matt 20:1-16 and shows how it provides grounds for alleviating poverty and promoting justice which goes beyond just wages. This exegesis proceeds through a constructive dialogue between a contemporary culture, a church culture and an original biblical culture. After a detailed presentation of intercultural exegesis, the concept of just wages is examined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its neighbour Rwanda before exploring it in a Catholic Church culture and in an original Matthean culture. Rephrased in words borrowed from G. West, 'the world in front of the text' is here represented by a contemporary target culture, while both 'the world in the text' and 'the world behind the text' rhyme with an original biblical culture; and finally a Catholic Church culture stands for 'the world around the text.' The word 'text' refers to Christian canonical scriptures.
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