Reclaiming the Stolen Bible One Contextual Bible Study at a Time

Abstract

Abstract Central to this chapter is the issue of power. Who determines the contours and outcome of a valid and authoritative interpretation of the biblical text? Who has the right to read the text and how is the text used to engage contemporary embodied lived realities when it comes to sexual diversity and gender expression in the African context? The chapter starts by drawing on the Contextual Bible Study work developed by the Ujamaa Centre for Community Development and Research in relation to issues of sexuality and gender. It then offers two examples that illustrate how different interpretive resources can work as entry points to engage reading communities. The chapter argues that beyond the commitment to develop resources for faith communities to engage in issues of gender and sexuality, an important imperative is to allow those who embody sexuality and gender in a counter-normative way to read the text for themselves.