Learning from African theologians and their hermeneutics: Some reflections from a German Evangelical theologian

Hans-Georg W�Nch

doi:10.4102/ve.v36i1.1394

Abstract

This article shares some reflections on African theology from an outside perspective. Starting from personal experiences as a German Evangelical coming to South Africa, it basically takes a look at the book African theology on the way: Current conversations, edited by Diane B. Stinton. It wants to identify ways of looking at theology which could be considered in some way or another as �especially African�. The article then compares these findings with two other books, presenting two different ways of applied African theology: The Africana Bible, edited by Hugh R. Page, coming from a very international background and implementing also the views of African people living outside of Africa, and the Africa Bible Commentary (ABC), edited by Tokunboh Adyemo, featuring an evangelical view.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This research gives an outside view on African theology and hermeneutics from an European perspective. It challenges the one-way transfer of theological thinking from Europe to Africa, which for many centuries determined the relationship between the continents. It shows that European theologians indeed can learn much from African theologians and their way of reading the Bible.

Highlights

There are at least two dangers in comparing ‘African’ and ‘European’ theology
This proverb serves as a kind of leitmotif throughout the rest of the article. It summarises the message of the book of Jeremiah, namely, ‘one who does not listen to advice usually lands in trouble’ (Masenya 2010b:147) as this was especially true for Judah in Jeremiah’s time. These examples have all been taken from the Africana Bible, but the same connection of theology and ‘real life’ is found in the Africa Bible Commentary (ABC)
The Bible speaking into African culture Elelwani Farisani (2010a), recent Chair of the Department of Biblical and Ancient Studies at University of South Africa (UNISA), writes in his article on the book of Obadiah in the Africana Bible: Ethnic tension described by Obadiah between the Israelites and the Edomites may have relevance in Africa today, especially in the context of recent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa. (p. 181)

Summary

Introduction

There are at least two dangers in comparing ‘African’ and ‘European’ (or ‘Western’) theology. In his article in African theology on the way, Gerald West (2010:24–26) depicts ‘liberation theology’ and ‘feminist theology’ in Africa.

Results

Conclusion