Bible, Interpretation, and Context

This book is an interpretation of biblical narratives from an African context and insists that meaning is found in the context of the African reader.

This book is a collection of essays that contribute to the debate on the contextual interpretation of scripture from an African context. The book engages biblical narratives from the lived experiences of Africans, insisting that meaning is attained only when people bring their daily experiences into their reading of scripture. The contributors examine the interaction of African peoples with the Bible in juxtaposition with the forces of colonialism, neocolonialism, patriarchy, war, and bad governance. This book gives voice to the lived experiences of African peoples in their quest for full expression of the profundity of their union with God by aiding them to unmask inhumanity and indignity.

Part I: Exploring the Prospect of Biblical Hermeneutics

Chapter One:

Catholic Interpretation of Scripture: An Accumulated Wisdom

Donald Senior, CP

Chapter Two:

Where Shall Wisdom be Found? (Job 28:12)

Dianne Bergant, CSA

Chapter Three:

Paul and Early Christianity in Teaching and Ministry.

Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ

Part II: Context and Biblical Hermeneutics

Chapter Four:

African Feminist Approaches to the Bible: A New Oil with Which to Eat Words

Barbara E. Reid, OP

Chapter Five:

God, Women, and Point of View in the Abraham and Jacob Narratives

MarySylvia Nwachukwu, DDL

Chapter Six:

Reading Pentateuchal Ancestral Narratives in the Context of Community Identity in Africa

Luke Emehiele Ijezie

Chapter Seven:

Hearing and Reading the “Rebuilding” Voice of the Prophet Haggai 1:1-11 in the Context of African Christianity

Michael Ufok Udoekpo.

Chapter Eight:

Tobit’s Almsgiving as a Model of Missionary Availability

Mark Enemali, CSSp

Chapter Nine:

Earth, Cosmology, and Context in the Book of Revelation

Ferdinand Okorie, CMF

Conclusion:

Finding Meaning Within a Context: Scripture and Faith

Ferdinand Okorie, CMF

James Chukwuma Okoye, CSSp: A Selected Bibliography of his Publications