A Critical Study of the Translation of Matthew 6:12 in the Dangme Bible

This study investigates the history, proponents, constituting elements, challenges, methodology, and future directions of Mother-tongue Biblical Hermeneutics (MTBH) as an emerging hermeneutical approach in African biblical studies. It observes that the translation of the Bible into African mother -tongues has influenced the emergence of MTBH. Based on this observation it posits that MTBH will continue to dominate Ghanaian biblical studies in the years ahead as the Bible gets translated into many more Ghanaian languages. After an overview of African biblical studies, the study establishes a correlation between the production of mother-tongue Bibles and the emergence of MTBH. It charts the course of MTBH by looking at its Ghanaian pioneers. Through an analytic assessment of selected works of currently established practitioners of MTBH, the study presents the constituting elements, challenges, methodology, and future directions of the approach. Moreover, it presents some selected institutions in which MTBH is practised and its practical results. The study finds that a dominant focus of MTBH has been resolving translation-related problems using advanced exegetical and hermeneutical tools. Consequently, less has been done in the area of mother-tongue Bible commentaries and innovative and creative mother-tongue hermeneutical reflections. Keywords: Mother-tongue Biblical Hermeneutics, African Biblical Studies, Mother-tongue Bibles, African Christianity, Ghanaian Biblical Studies

Section: Kuwornu-adjaottor and The Methodology Of Mtbhmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Kuwornu-adjaottor and The Methodology Of Mtbhmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Kuwornu-adjaottor and The Methodology Of Mtbhmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mother-Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics: A Critical Assessment of the History of an Emerging Approach in African Biblical Studies

Wandusim

2023

Evaluation of Translation and Interpretation of the Dangme Bible

Kuwornu-Adjaottor

2020

A critical reading of the Dangme translation of the Bible revealed that there are translation problems of some texts that affect the understanding and application of such texts in the religio-cultural context of Dangme Bible readers. Using the mixed method of research and the mother tongue biblical hermeneutics approach, the author sought to research some phrases of three of such problematic texts: Matt 6:12; Mark 1:12; Luke 24:25. The findings are that among Dangme Bible readers, kε ke (Grk. afes, forgive, let go) in Matt 6:12 matches better with tɔmi ɔmε (wrongdoings, sins) rather than hiɔ ɔmε (Grk. ofeileemata, debts); in Mark 1:12, ha nε e ho (permitted him to go) is a better rendition of the Greek ekballoo (threw out/cast out); in Luke 24:25, Oo nyε juεmi he jɔ, (your mind has become cold) tones down the insult in anoeetoi translated as kuasiahi. The author’s translation of the texts would go a long way in helping Dangme Bible readers understand the said texts in context. The paper has thus, added Dangme translations and interpretations of Matt 6:12, Mark 1:12 and Luke 24:25 to the existing translations and interpretations of the texts.

Praying through the Lord’s Prayer with Meaning and Significance: Mother-tongue Theological Hermeneutical Study of Mathew 6:9-13

Fosu

2023

The Lord’s Prayer seems to be the best-known prayer among Christian communities. In liturgical contexts, it appears to be the most memorized and recited text of the New Testament. The popularity of the Lord’s Prayer, on one hand, indicates its significance within Christianity. On the other hand, its popularity implies that many people recite it without reflecting on its theological meaning and significance. The main purpose of this work was to read the Matthean text of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) from the perspective of the Akan mother-tongue theological hermeneutics. The paper thus joins with a contemporary few selected voices in the African exegetical enterprise to suggest that a mother-tongue theological hermeneutical reading of scripture contributes to an enhanced understanding of biblical texts which is of ecumenical relevance in the contemporary glocal (global and local) contexts. Keywords: The Lord’s Prayer, Mother-tongue, Theological Hermeneutics, Akan, Matthew 6:9-13