Intercultural constructions of the New Testament: Epistemological foundations

Jean-Claude Loba-Mkole

doi:10.4102/hts.v77i2.6739

Abstract

The present study discusses epistemological foundations of intercultural constructions of the New Testament in Africa. Before embarking on this discussion, it documents the history and procedures of this interpretive tool. In Africa, the intercultural method emanates from the paradigm of inculturation coupled with reconstruction. It has already embraced biblical exegesis, translation studies, canonical criticism and ecological hermeneutics. Contribution: The insights of the article ‘Intercultural constructions of the New Testament: Epistemological foundations’ pertain firstly to the description of the method of intercultural constructions, taking stock of its emergence, development, procedures, and epistemological foundations in both African and international theological circles. Secondly, the study has specifically established the following epistemological foundations of the intercultural method: interculturality as the cradle of the New Testament corpus, an existential mode, an interpretive paradigm, and interaction with a triple hexagonal dimension. The latter includes a triple pitfall (to avoid), a triple frame of reference, a triple epistemological privilege, a triple epistemological value, a triple ethical value, and a triple cultural position.

Highlights

Intercultural constructions are part of cultural criticism
In Africa, the intercultural method emanates from the paradigm of inculturation coupled with reconstruction
For intercultural biblical exegesis and intercultural canonical criticism, the author has used historical, literary, social, narrative and ecojustice hermeneutics, whilst his intercultural translation study essentially incorporates the theory of functional equivalence

Summary

Introduction

Intercultural constructions are part of cultural criticism. This method has entered the world of biblical interpretation since the second half of the 20th century.1 In the Western world, cultural Bible studies arguably originated in the United States as a part of literary analyses of biblical scenes, themes and stories presented in the traditional arts and modern media.2In Africa, the intercultural method emanates from the paradigm of inculturation coupled with reconstruction. The formal object of this approach is to interpret a biblical text through a sincere dialogue with different cultural frames of reference that inform it, such as original, traditional (ecclesial) and contemporary cultures. The present study discusses epistemological foundations of intercultural constructions of the New Testament in Africa.

Results

Conclusion