Rise of intercultural Biblical exegesis in Africa

Jean-Claude Loba-Mkole

doi:10.4102/hts.v64i3.77

Abstract

This article traces the rise and development of intercultural Biblical exegesis in Africa, especially with regard to New Testament interpretations. Different trends of Biblical exegesis practiced in Africa are explored, whereafter the different phases of intercultural exegesis are discussed. The focus falls on inculturation hermeneutic as an important method of interpreting the Bible in an African context. The different proponents of this method are discussed and differences in approach are noted and appraised as a healthy tension.

Highlights

This study intends to document the rise and development of intercultural Biblical exegesis in Africa, especially with regard to New Testament interpretations. It argues that this new exegetical tool was launched in 1996, when Justin Ukpong published an article introducing and applying the method of inculturation Biblical hermeneutic
The first section of this article briefly presents the different trends of Biblical exegesis in Africa, while the second section deals with the different phases of intercultural exegesis
The publication of Bible in Africa in 2000, which was the culmination of a project which started in 1995, has marked a major turning point for Biblical exegesis in Africa (West & Dube 2000)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

This study intends to document the rise and development of intercultural Biblical exegesis in Africa, especially with regard to New Testament interpretations. It argues that this new exegetical tool was launched in 1996, when Justin Ukpong published an article introducing and applying the method of inculturation Biblical hermeneutic. In 1998 J B Matand, with no reference to Ukpong, embraced this method, which through the books of C N A Cilumba and U C Manus, published respectively in 2001 and 2003, evolved into intercultural Biblical exegesis/hermeneutic. The first section of this article briefly presents the different trends of Biblical exegesis in Africa, while the second section deals with the different phases of intercultural exegesis

TRENDS OF BIBLICAL EXEGESIS IN AFRICA

A few examples are

INTERCULTURAL EXEGESIS

Literary structure

CONCLUSION