Redaction Criticism as a Resource for the Bible as "A Site of Struggle"

Gerald West

doi:10.17159/2312-3621/2017/v30n2a19

Abstract

Though the state, the church, theology, and biblical interpretation have been considered ‘sites of struggle’ by South Africa’s liberation theologies, the Bible has not. This article reappraises the work of South African Black theologian Itumeleng Mosala (thirty years later) and considers his particular understanding of the Bible as a site of struggle, drawing as he does on redaction criticism. The article analyses Mosala’s notion of the ideological dimensions of redaction criticism, clarifies some of the concepts Mosala uses, argues for the role of literary methods in redactional criticism, and advocates for the inclusion of the ‘exploited classes’ in the exegesis as well as the appropriation of biblical texts.

Highlights

Though the state, the church, theology, and biblical interpretation have been considered “sites of struggle” by South Africa’s liberation theologies, the Bible has not
This article reappraises the work of South African Black theologian Itumeleng Mosala and considers his particular understanding of the Bible as a site of struggle, drawing as he does on redaction criticism
South African Contextual Theology, a form of liberation theology with formative links to the worker movements of 1940s Europe, Latin American liberation theology, and the other theologies of resistance that emerged in response to the “low intensity conflict” political regimes common to Brazil, the Philippines, and South Africa in the mid-1980s,1 used the notion of “site of struggle” extensively

Summary

A INTRODUCTION

South African Contextual Theology, a form of liberation theology with formative links to the worker movements of 1940s Europe, Latin American liberation theology, and the other theologies of resistance that emerged in response to the “low intensity conflict” political regimes common to Brazil, the Philippines, and South Africa in the mid-1980s,1 used the notion of “site of struggle” extensively. There was no single “Theology.” The Kairos Document identified and analysed three contending theologies in the South Africa of the 1980s: State Theology, Church Theology, and Prophetic Theology. “State Theology” was identified as the theology of the South African apartheid State which is the theological justification of the status quo with its racism, capitalism and totalitarianism. It blesses injustice, canonises the will of the powerful and reduces the poor to passivity, obedience and apathy.[6]. I will begin by analysing aspects of redactional criticism, and I will analyse how South African Black Theology uses the concept of the biblical text as “a site of struggle.”

B THE CONTOURS OF REDACTION CRITICISM

C IDENTIFYING REDACTED AND REDACTIONAL VOICES

D ADDITIONAL REDACTIONAL TOOLS

E REDACTING CLASS STRUGGLE