African Proverbs: A Tool in Teaching Bibllcal Truth in the 21ST Century

Abstract

Africans are good in oral transmission of truth and knowledge, which enhance a very powerful use of proverbs and adage. Surprisingly, African proverbs have been neglected in Biblical Hermeneutic discourse on this continent. The paper aims to recall our attention to the important value of Proverbs in the knowledge of the Bible and tends to apply the efficacy of African proverbs in teaching biblical truth, first to African and others. This venture will validate the belief that every aspect of African’s life has a religion connotation. African proverbs’ main concerns relate to every aspect of human life. It is to teach wisdom and moral lessons. Thus they contain, and are used to convey, moral lessons and advice on how to live a good and prosperous life. African proverbs are highly important as a tool for teaching moral and social values, and how to conduct oneself successfully in the business of life. Proverbs have the power to change people’s conduct, because the truths portrayed in them are so plain and unchallengeable that those who understand the morals and advice they contain, feel compelled to conduct their lives in the manner prescribed in the proverbs by the wise elders of old. The work explores some opportunities for using African proverbs as a tool in teaching biblical truth. This experience draws the meaning of the Bible not only to the African readers but every reader.