Biblical Studies Research Articles

Election violence in Africa: Using John 1:1 ‘Eν ἀρχῇ’ as a remedial solution

Whilst the term ‘elections’ insinuates some democratic space within a given electorate, elections on the African continent have often displayed an opposite trajectory as they tend to thwart that democratic space. Many a time, they have been characterised by sharp divisions leading thus to violence and atrocities of every kind. It is a great concern for unity in our motherland, Africa, which generates interest in this article to proffer a roadmap that can help address challenges that threaten to swirl the continent into a state of constant chaos and locus known for manslaughter. Using a hermeneutic of identification or cultural hermeneutics whereby readers identify themselves with the biblical characters and culture, we make reference to John 1:1 ἐν ἀρχῇ, which speaks unity in the Godhead as our roadmap. The text shows that unity is one of the intrinsic values of the community born out of their ontological unity. In the same way, disciples of the community of God must be characterized by unity while they are still in the world. It is thus our argument that Africans in their interpersonal relationships, including their political interactions, need to mirror the oneness of the Trinity and not follow the dictates of their societies plagued by social classifications.Interdisciplinary implications: The issue of violence is by definition of multi-disciplinary interest. This contribution addresses the ever-recurring problem of election violence in Africa, which is also of significance within multiple disciplines including biblical studies, gender studies, political theology as well as even history.

Bible Study as Postcolonial Witnessing

AbstractThis article contextualizes Stef Craps’ concept of postcolonial witnessing and Shelly Rambo's concept of the afterlife of trauma to offer a model of Bible study as a postcolonial witnessing to the afterlife. The aim is to identify the contextual and multilayered dimensions of Bible study as a witnessing practice embedded in an Indonesian local Christian community's story of post‐religious communal violence and cultural trauma and its rereading of the Bible as a narrative of the afterlife. The community's story unveils an intergenerational community of survivors witnessing life within the intersection of the rupturing presence of violence, mission history, and its collective memory. I argue that a contextual Bible study from the lens of the afterlife imbued with a local Christian community's story of trauma and witnessing exemplifies an intergenerational, intertextual, and intercultural witnessing of life – thus, a postcolonial witnessing – which is relevant to mission studies in the context of trauma history and interreligious relationships.

The suffering womanhood in Luke 13:10–17 in the context of the post-COVID-19 pandemic in Africa

The suffering of womanhood and maltreatment are apparent when reading ancient writings. In Luke 13:10–17, it is possible to see how a number of women who suffered illnesses were treated in the hands of religious elites of the ancient world. However, the woman in Luke’s encounter with the Lukan Jesus during her illness redefined how religious leaders should deal with the suffering of womanhood. The woman was healed and treated with dignity by the Lukan Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. Using socio-historical interpretation, the Lukan Jesus in the Gospel of Luke demonstrated that religion should be used to alleviate the suffering of women, not to exacerbate it. The lesson derived from the Lukan Jesus’ action and words on the suffering woman in Luke 13:12 is significant for the African religious setting in an endeavour to alleviate women’s suffering in Africa in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic era.Contribution: This article adds to the ongoing discussion in biblical studies about gender equality, specifically in Africa where diseases such as COVID-19 have highlighted the need for change. It argues that African women should resist negative male dominance in society, similar to the woman in Luke, and work towards empowering women in Africa to achieve freedom and equality.

Review of: Shmid G. Y., archpriest. The Theology of St. Luke, Evangelist and Deist: a study guide / Archpriest George Shmid; St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Department of Biblical Studies. St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg Theological Academy, 2023. 492

Review of: Shmid G. Y., archpriest. The Theology of St. Luke, Evangelist and Deist: a study guide / Archpriest George Shmid; St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Department of Biblical Studies. St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg Theological Academy, 2023. 492

Behold, the Global Translated Bible(s)! Research and Pedagogical Implications

Abstract Mother Earth is home to an unprecedented number of translations of the Bible, making it the most widely translated book in the world. The pages of this book have traversed a variety of physical and metaphorical borders, navigating diverse geographical, political, economic, cultural, linguistic, and religious intersections. Across space, time, and cultures, millions of readers have found various reasons to read it through diverse lenses. The Bible was frequently translated and brought to the colonized territories with colonial movements. Regrettably, it was often utilized as a tool for subjugation and dominance. However, the colonized people also used this resource for their own goals. Do contemporary biblical studies have the courage to look upon the tomes and tons of translated Bibles lying upon the surface of Mother Earth? What responsibilities and opportunities does the Global Translated Bible(s) lay upon academic biblical studies? What research questions, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration does it open? What are the pedagogical obligations and implications of acknowledging the Global Translated Bible(s)? In other words, what does faithfulness and unfaithfulness to the translated biblical corpus entail, imply, and demand? This lecture proposes and emphasizes the imperative of mainstreaming the Global Translated Bible(s) into academic biblical studies.

Evangelical Theology, Biblical Archaeology and American Schools of Oriental Research’s continuing relevance

The relationship between theologically-centered biblical studies and archaeology has not always been smooth and American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) has often been involved in the debates. While methodological solutions have been regularly discussed, the theological impulses that give rise to the specific readings that archaeologists and historians find so very troubling have received little attention. This paper seeks to make a small contribution to that deficit by articulating the twin theological commitments of Authority and Inspiration and how these shape the conversation from the perspectives of Evangelicals and those utilizing Theological Interpretation. Five modest suggestions for archaeologists’ engagement with those theologically committed are offered.

THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES: CRITICAL READINGS. Edited by Darian R.Lockett. Critical Readings in Biblical Studies. London: T&T Clark, 2021. Pp. xviii +656. Hardback, $198. Paper, $53.

THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES: CRITICAL READINGS. Edited by Darian R.Lockett. Critical Readings in Biblical Studies. London: T&T Clark, 2021. Pp. xviii +656. Hardback, $198. Paper, $53.

A Biblical Study of “Forgiveness” in Matthew 6:14-15 and its Implications for Christians

Sin which is a violation of God's law, makes humans stray away from God and causes damage to the relationship between them and God. Humans can't get back in touch with God unless they have received forgiveness from God. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the meaning of forgiveness as it is expressed in the Gospel of Matthew 6:14-15, through a biblical study based on the Byzantine Greek text of the Bible. The approaches taken were an exegesis and a descriptive literature methodology approach. The result obtained in this limited study is that the meaning of forgiveness in the Gospel of Matthew 6:14-15 is that there is a connection between the first clause and the second clause used which is a conditional sentence along with its negation. Based on the grammatical and lexical structure of Matthew 6:14 the second clause is an apodosis of the first clause, where the second clause is the answer to the first clause which is the prosthesis. So the sentence apodosis will apply if the prosthesis is fulfilled, as well as in the next paragraph which is the sentence negation. When the prosthesis in Matthew 6:15 is not performed, then the apodosis in Matthew 6:14 becomes invalid. Also, Matthew 6:14-15 cannot be separated from Matthew 6:12, where the translation of this verse grammatically states that God has forgiven humans first, and this is the basis for Matthew 6:14-15. This was emphasized by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 18:35. Christians in Indonesia should understand the meaning of forgiveness that the Lord Jesus taught, so that after a person has repented and become a Christian, he or she remains in Christ and keeps their life holy and forgive others, as a form of response to God, for the forgiveness that the Lord Jesus has given to them. Thus there must be repentance including a change of heart about one's actions or one's whole life. Atonement is needed as well which is making reparation after one has committed an offense.

Formation of Korean Christianity through the Banning of Ancestral Rites

This study explores the ways in which a ban on ancestral rites influenced Korean Christianity. Ancestral rites are religious ceremonies that form the most critical social basis of Joseon, a Confucian society. First, the Korean Catholic Church was the first to oppose ancestral rites. Catholics created a new social and ethical resonance in Joseon society but had to endure tremendous persecution. Second, Protestantism was introduced when Joseon society was the most confused. Protestant missionaries banned ancestral rites, and Korean Protestants accepted them. Gradually, they interpreted it and embodied it in their faith. The ban on ancestral rites contributed to the formation of Korean Christianity. This laid the foundation for Christian social ethics and Hyo (孝, Xiao (Chinese pronunciation), filiality) theology. It has expanded into various fields, such as systematic theology, biblical studies, practical theology, and liturgical practice. Thus, this study examines how the ban on ancestral rites in Korea had a profound impact on the contextualization of Korean Christianity.

Assessing the Mode of Biblical Interpretation in the Light of African Biblical Hermeneutics: The Case of the Mother-Tongue Biblical Interpretation in Ghana

In establishing the Christian faith on African soil, the first missionaries to Africa came along with the Bible. They were determined to share the word of God with the indigenous Africans. This was undertaken effectively; however, it came at a cost. In an attempt to produce translated versions of the Bible for the natives, they ended up producing translations, some of which did not reflect the thoughts of the indigenous people. This has called for an enterprise whereby these texts need to be retranslated and interpreted to reflect the thoughts of the indigenous people. Mother-tongue biblical hermeneutics in Ghana has been advantageous to this enterprise since it seeks to remedy the situation by examining the mother-tongue translations and making proposals for retranslations and interpretation. This has attracted some scholars to come up with a methodology and approaches that would be appropriate in this direction. This paper seeks to assess and evaluate the use of the mother-tongue interpretation, as well as its methodology and approaches in Ghana in the light of African biblical hermeneutics. Though this enterprise is recommendable to African exegetes, it is a special area of biblical studies in search of a standard methodological approach. The paper calls for much attention to how the mother-tongue interpretation could bring the meaning of the text closer to the culture of the Ghanaian reader—however, not at the expense of neglecting the cultural milieu of the original author in which the text was couched.

Biblical Courtship and Spiritual Entities: An Exegesis of Philippians 2:3-4

The relationship between biblical courtship and spiritual entities is multifaceted and interconnected. In Christian courtship, this means being mindful of the other person's needs and desires and working together to build a relationship that is centered on mutual respect and support. The focus of this paper is to analyze Philippians 2:3-4 and examine the relationship between biblical courtship and spiritual entities. This research uses a descriptive method. Data collection in this research as primary data uses document analysis and also supported by secondary data from previous research. Data analysis process is through classifications, interpretation, compare the data, and analyze the context and meaning. The result found exegesis of Philippians 2:3-4 provides valuable guidance for Christian courtship by embracing humility, selflessness and spiritual practices to cultivate the qualities necessary for a healthy and loving relationship with another person. Biblical courtship would prioritize empathy, compassion, communication, practicing forgiveness, seeking to understand and meet the needs of one's partner. Spiritual entities provide guidance and tools for individuals to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and their partners by cultivating a deep and abiding relationship with God and prioritizing spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study and worship. By incorporating these practices and principles into courtship, couples can build a strong foundation for a lifelong, Christ-centered relationship. In conclusion, biblical courtship should be grounded in a biblical worldview with individuals seeking to align their values and priorities with those of Christ.

New Narrative Definition of the Miracle Story Genre in the Context of the Third Gospel

Although the term “Miracle Story” is frequently used in biblical studies, it does not have a single universally accepted definition. Earlier attempts to define this term, especially by Bultmann, the coryphae of the Formgeschichte, are not sufficient. In this article, a new narrative definition will be presented, which takes into account the latest tools that narratology has equipped biblical scholars with. Firstly, the new definition makes it possible to clearly distinguish a Miracle Story from a story in which a miracle occurs. Secondly, the new definition is a tool for analyzing the meaning of the miracle stories. This article is meant to be part of a series analyzing the issue of miracles in the Gospel of Luke.

Another proposal to the unknown female identity of אמרת in Psalm 16:2

There is a difficulty in determining the subject of אמרת in Psalm 16:2. This problem arises from the context. Psalm 16:1 reveals that the speaker of the whole Psalm 16 is David himself: לְדָוִד and the usage of the first person singular of the verb חסה is to denote that David is the speaker. Psalm 16:2, nevertheless, changes the first person singular from verse 1 to the second person feminine singular. In other words, the subject of verse 1 is David himself or a male speaker, whereas the subject of verse 2 shifts to an unknown female speaker. As a result, this shift creates two difficult questions. Firstly, why does David replace the first person singular in Psalm 16:1 to the second person feminine singular in Psalm 16:2? Secondly, who is this second person feminine singular in Psalm 16:2? This research argues for the influence of Phoenician language to Psalm 16:2; therefore, Phoenician language offers solutions to those difficulties.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article is a combination of Biblical Studies and Linguistics. This article attempts to apply a comparative linguistic approach to Psalm 16:2.

Situating “Biblical Studies” within “Biblical Studies”

Critical Review Essay of: Mbuvi, Andrew M. African Biblical Studies: Unmasking Embedded Racism and Colonialism in Biblical Studies. London: T&T Clark, 2022. Pp. xiv + 234. £85.00 (hardback), £28.99 (paperback).

Listening to the Other: Kuang’s Babel, Postcolonialism, and Bible Translation

Despite its influence in the broader academy, postcolonial thought has had minimal impact on the study of Bible translation. This article examines postcolonialism, drawing out common themes from the contested descriptions of the discipline, and briefly reviews some of the ways postcolonial thought has contributed to Missiology, Biblical Studies, and Translation Studies. It then explores the general lack of interaction between postcolonial criticism and studies of Bible translation and suggests ways that attending to postcolonial critiques could benefit the field. The article concludes with a case study using the history of Thai translations of the Bible to illustrate some of the benefits that could be brought to studies of Bible translation by an increased sensitivity to postcolonial thought.

Reconsidering the Methods of Cognitive Environment Criticism in Biblical Studies

Reconsidering the Methods of Cognitive Environment Criticism in Biblical Studies

On the Nature of Poetry, Parallelism, and Methods: A Response to Ernst Wendland

This article is a response to Ernst Wendland’s article—also in this issue of Journal of Translation—which interacts with my cognitive approach to biblical Hebrew poetry, especially my recent monograph, Unparalleled Poetry (2023). In this article, I set my work within the broader context of biblical poetry studies and explain how it draws from literary and cognitive research to provide a robust framework for the concept of the poetic line—a contribution to not only biblical studies, but also broader poetry studies. The poetic line gets to the heart of the nature of poetry: the line is central to not just poetic structure (up to the level of the whole poem), but also poetry’s potential for rhythm and effects and construction of meaning. My view of the centrality of the line affects how I address various issues related to parallelism. I close by discussing the role and limits of method in regard to both poetic lineation and reading of poems.

The Historical Reality of Jesus as Criterion for Present-Day Christian Discipleship

This paper outlines elements of a biblically informed theology for faith-based activists. First, it examines the historical reality of Jesus as the defining sign of the Word made flesh (Jn 1:14) and an important bridge to seventy years of biblical studies on the historical Jesus and his Palestinian context. Second, it argues that Jesus’s baptism “of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mk 1:4b) functions as a highly symbolic public action defining his message, mission, and identity as God’s loving response to the sinful decimation of Israel’s institutions. Third, it asserts that Jesus’s choice to accept responsibility for the sins of his people is the first step of a new exodus leading to the confrontation at the Temple in Jerusalem and the question every disciple must face: How is God moving and acting in history now, and how am I called to collaborate with those movements in my historical context?

Dualism and Christian Hope in Marianne Moore’s “The Fish”

This article provides a close reading of Marianne Moore’s “The Fish,” asserting that it’s imagery should be understood allegorically to represent the split between the physical and the spiritual, or temporal and eternal. In particular, the image of the cliff represents the dualistic nature of humanity—one side physical (and continually eaten away by the encroaching sea), and the other side spiritual. Many readers of Moore have not been able to explain how the cliff can be seen at once to be defeated by the sea on one side, but yet triumph over it on the other. An Christian-allegorical reading, based in Moore’s life-long Protestant faith and her in-depth Bible studies, provides an explanation that makes sense of the imagery.

About Edom and Idumea in the Persian Period: Recent Research and Approaches from Archaeology, Hebrew Bible Studies and Ancient Near Eastern Studies ed. by Benedikt Hensel, Ehud Ben Zvi, and Diana V. Edelman (review)

About Edom and Idumea in the Persian Period: Recent Research and Approaches from Archaeology, Hebrew Bible Studies and Ancient Near Eastern Studies ed. by Benedikt Hensel, Ehud Ben Zvi, and Diana V. Edelman (review)