The New Faces of Christianity in the Global South Old and New Testaments Sunday, August 5, 2007 9 to 9:50 am, in the Parlor Everyone is welcome! March

The New Faces of The New Faces of Christianity in the Global Christianity in the Global SouthSouth

Old and New TestamentsOld and New TestamentsSunday, August 5, 20079 to 9:50 am, in the ParlorEveryone is welcome!

March 13, 2005, Cathedral March 13, 2005, Cathedral Church of the Advent, Church of the Advent, Anglican Church of Anglican Church of Nigeria, Abuja, NigeriaNigeria, Abuja, Nigeria

Primary Primary ReferenceReference

The New Faces of The New Faces of Christianity: Christianity: Believing the Bible Believing the Bible in the Global Southin the Global South, , Philip Jenkins, Philip Jenkins, Oxford University Oxford University Press, 2006Press, 2006

Philip Jenkins is Philip Jenkins is Distinguished Distinguished Professor of History Professor of History and Religious Studies and Religious Studies at Pennsylvania State at Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity

Everliving God, whose will it is that Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.ever.

For the Mission of the Church, For the Mission of the Church, Book of Common PrayerBook of Common Prayer, p. 816-817, p. 816-817

IntroductionIntroduction

The Anglican Church of South Africa has a custom of blessing children who are not yet confirmed. Here the Archbishop of Canterbury blesses a child in Angola. Anglican-Episcopal World #125, cover

““If present day Africans still find it If present day Africans still find it difficult to be at home with the Old difficult to be at home with the Old

Testament, they might need to Testament, they might need to watch out to see if they have not watch out to see if they have not

lost their Africaness in one way or lost their Africaness in one way or the other”the other”

Madipoane MasenyaMadipoane Masenya


““You do not have to You do not have to interpret Old Testament interpret Old Testament Christianity to Africans; Christianity to Africans;

they live in an Old they live in an Old Testament World”Testament World”

Andrew WallsAndrew Walls


IntroductionIntroductionKing SolomonKing Solomon

Ugandans initially accepted many of the seeming Ugandans initially accepted many of the seeming arbitrary rules laid down by white missionaries – but arbitrary rules laid down by white missionaries – but then they began the subversive act of reading the then they began the subversive act of reading the Bible themselvesBible themselves

With shock, and then elation, they discovered the With shock, and then elation, they discovered the story of King Solomon and his many wives – which story of King Solomon and his many wives – which fitted so well with the ideal of African royalty.fitted so well with the ideal of African royalty.

The chief demanded to know why the white The chief demanded to know why the white missionary had told them polygamy was a sin. “How missionary had told them polygamy was a sin. “How is it that King Solomon had all those wives? And he is it that King Solomon had all those wives? And he loved them too, the book says.”loved them too, the book says.”

IntroductionIntroductionKing SolomonKing Solomon

The missionary’s explanation, that while all The missionary’s explanation, that while all words in the Bible are divinely inspired and words in the Bible are divinely inspired and true, they are true to varying degrees and in true, they are true to varying degrees and in different ways – was not very convincing.different ways – was not very convincing. The general consensus was that the missionary The general consensus was that the missionary

must have lied about polygamy, probably because must have lied about polygamy, probably because he was too poor to afford additional wives.he was too poor to afford additional wives.

IntroductionIntroductionThe Relation Between the CovenantsThe Relation Between the Covenants

In the West, the relation between the Old and In the West, the relation between the Old and New Covenants (or Testaments) seems a New Covenants (or Testaments) seems a settled issue.settled issue.

However for the new churches in Asia and However for the new churches in Asia and Africa, the Old Testament is deeply attractive, Africa, the Old Testament is deeply attractive, and their affection for it reopens the question and their affection for it reopens the question of how the Old and New Covenants relate.of how the Old and New Covenants relate.

The The Hebrew Hebrew

Bible and Bible and the the

Christian Christian BibleBible

The Archbishop of Canterbury Celebrates the Eucharist in Angola. Anglican-Episcopal World #125, p. 7

Hebrew & Christian BiblesHebrew & Christian BiblesOld Testament: Christianity’s FoundationOld Testament: Christianity’s Foundation For most of the history of Christianity, the Old For most of the history of Christianity, the Old

Testament was viewed as the foundation on which Testament was viewed as the foundation on which Christianity was built.Christianity was built.

The two Testaments spoke to each other:The two Testaments spoke to each other: The Hebrew prophets had foretold Jesus many times – so The Hebrew prophets had foretold Jesus many times – so

much so that Isaiah was like a fifth gospel in early much so that Isaiah was like a fifth gospel in early Christianity.Christianity.

Abraham’s preparing to sacrifice his son foreshadowed the Abraham’s preparing to sacrifice his son foreshadowed the crucifixion.crucifixion.

Some Christians writers suggested every reference to Some Christians writers suggested every reference to “wood” in the Old Testament prefigured the crucifixion, “wood” in the Old Testament prefigured the crucifixion, and every reference to “water” prefigured Christ’s blood.and every reference to “water” prefigured Christ’s blood.

Hebrew & Christian BiblesHebrew & Christian BiblesModern Attitudes to the Old TestamentModern Attitudes to the Old Testament

In modern times, attitudes towards the Old Testament In modern times, attitudes towards the Old Testament have changed.have changed.

Popular stereotypes, nourished by well-meaning (but Popular stereotypes, nourished by well-meaning (but wrong) Sunday school teachings, hold:wrong) Sunday school teachings, hold: The God depicted in the Old Testament is an angry judge, The God depicted in the Old Testament is an angry judge,

not a loving parent like in the New.not a loving parent like in the New. The Old Testament implicitly justifies war, violence, and The Old Testament implicitly justifies war, violence, and

ethnic cleansing.ethnic cleansing. The Old Testament advocates a rigid, legalistic morality.The Old Testament advocates a rigid, legalistic morality.


More profoundly, and with justification, was the More profoundly, and with justification, was the negative modern reaction in the West to negative modern reaction in the West to supersessionismsupersessionism, the idea the Old Covenant and , the idea the Old Covenant and Judaism were no longer valid, and the Jews were at Judaism were no longer valid, and the Jews were at fault in resisting Jesus the Messiah.fault in resisting Jesus the Messiah.

This negative reaction against This negative reaction against supersessionismsupersessionism was was fueled by:fueled by: the integration and growth of Jewish communities in the the integration and growth of Jewish communities in the

Western world (affording more personal knowledge of Western world (affording more personal knowledge of Jews and their lives), andJews and their lives), and

the revelation of Nazi atrocities against the Jews in a the revelation of Nazi atrocities against the Jews in a “Christian” Germany.“Christian” Germany.


The increasing acceptance among Western Christians The increasing acceptance among Western Christians that:that: the Old Covenant was still a valid Covenant honored by the Old Covenant was still a valid Covenant honored by

God, and God, and The Jews were no less now, than in the past, God’s Chosen The Jews were no less now, than in the past, God’s Chosen

People,People,

had the “side effect” of “ceding” the Old Testament had the “side effect” of “ceding” the Old Testament (the “Hebrew Bible”) to the Jews:(the “Hebrew Bible”) to the Jews: The New Testament (the “Greek Bible”) became the Bible The New Testament (the “Greek Bible”) became the Bible

that belonged to Christianity.that belonged to Christianity. The Old Testament (the “Hebrew Bible”) was owned by The Old Testament (the “Hebrew Bible”) was owned by

the Jews and did not really belong to Christianity. It was to the Jews and did not really belong to Christianity. It was to be used “only with permission.”be used “only with permission.”


However, the forces behind this ceding of the Old However, the forces behind this ceding of the Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible) to the Jews do not Testament (the Hebrew Bible) to the Jews do not exist in the Christianity of the Global South:exist in the Christianity of the Global South: Substantial Jewish communities do not exist (with the Substantial Jewish communities do not exist (with the

exception of South Africa and Argentina)exception of South Africa and Argentina) The Holocaust (the The Holocaust (the ShoahShoah or Catastrophe) tends to be or Catastrophe) tends to be

viewed by Global South Christians not as a structural sin of viewed by Global South Christians not as a structural sin of Christianity, but as one of the structural sins of Western Christianity, but as one of the structural sins of Western culture, the same flaw that gave rise to two World Wars culture, the same flaw that gave rise to two World Wars and Colonial oppression.and Colonial oppression.

Our TestamentOur Testament

The consecration of twenty new bishops in the Anglican Church of Nigeria on March 4, 2007, in a glorious celebration attended by more than 7000 people. Anglican-Episcopal World #125, p. 37

Our TestamentOur TestamentCultural Affinities with the Old TestamentCultural Affinities with the Old Testament

African and Asian Christians have a deep affection for the Old African and Asian Christians have a deep affection for the Old Testament because of many cultural affinities they have with Testament because of many cultural affinities they have with the biblical world.the biblical world.

Modern Africans in particular can easily relate to descriptions Modern Africans in particular can easily relate to descriptions of:of: nomadic societiesnomadic societies tribes and clans and sacred placestribes and clans and sacred places migrations of clans and tribes driven by the threat of faminemigrations of clans and tribes driven by the threat of famine polygamypolygamy animal sacrifice as:animal sacrifice as:

part of a celebratory festivalpart of a celebratory festival a means of atonementa means of atonement a way of sealing a promisea way of sealing a promise

taboos against counting and enumerationtaboos against counting and enumeration long genealogies to establish one’s ancestrylong genealogies to establish one’s ancestry


Example:Example: in the native religions in Nigeria, atonement in the native religions in Nigeria, atonement to the gods was necessary for a community to be to the gods was necessary for a community to be saved from epidemics, illness, wars.saved from epidemics, illness, wars. This atonement was mediated by the shedding of the blood This atonement was mediated by the shedding of the blood

of animalsof animals Example:Example: the Gikuyu tribe easily appreciated why the Gikuyu tribe easily appreciated why

God might be angry with David for taking a census of God might be angry with David for taking a census of the people of Israel, because the Gikuyu have taboos the people of Israel, because the Gikuyu have taboos against counting and enumeration.against counting and enumeration.


Example:Example: for African and Asian Christians, for African and Asian Christians, genealogies and knowledge of one’s ancestors genealogies and knowledge of one’s ancestors are necessary to situate a person and are necessary to situate a person and understand their basis for authorityunderstand their basis for authority Chinese scholar Fook-Kong Wong: Chinese scholar Fook-Kong Wong: “the “the

genealogical lists in Chronicles bear genealogical lists in Chronicles bear witness to God’s intimate knowledge and witness to God’s intimate knowledge and remembrance of his people.”remembrance of his people.”


In a commentary on In a commentary on 1 Samuel1 Samuel, Gerald West , Gerald West lists some thirty “African resonances,” lists some thirty “African resonances,” including:including: dynamics of polygamous familiesdynamics of polygamous families endemic conflict with neighboring tribesendemic conflict with neighboring tribes the need to visit a seer at timesthe need to visit a seer at times possession by spiritspossession by spirits women singing and dancing in recognition of the women singing and dancing in recognition of the

exploits of their menexploits of their men the desire of men to be buried with their fathersthe desire of men to be buried with their fathers

Our StoryOur Story

The Archbishop of Tanzania with the Archbishop of Canterbury and bishops from Tanzania, following a Eucharist at Zanzibar Cathedral in Tanzania. Anglican-Episcopal World, #125, p. 10

Our StoryOur StoryHebrew Roots in AfricaHebrew Roots in Africa

Asian and African Christians have a deep affection Asian and African Christians have a deep affection for the Old Testament because of their cultural for the Old Testament because of their cultural affinities with the Old Testament.affinities with the Old Testament.

Many – especially Africans – go a step further and Many – especially Africans – go a step further and suggest that suggest that the cultural affinities are not mere the cultural affinities are not mere chancechance, but are present because the Hebrew and , but are present because the Hebrew and African cultures drew from or originated from each African cultures drew from or originated from each other.other.

One Cameroonian pastor has remarked: One Cameroonian pastor has remarked: “We “We recognize our own history in the Pentateuch. recognize our own history in the Pentateuch. We feel that we possibly stem from the We feel that we possibly stem from the history of the Hebrews, because our customs history of the Hebrews, because our customs and those of the Hebrews are so similar.”and those of the Hebrews are so similar.”


In some African Independent Churches (= African In some African Independent Churches (= African Christian churches not associated with a worldwide Christian churches not associated with a worldwide denomination), there is speculation Africans derive denomination), there is speculation Africans derive from some of the ten “lost tribes” of Israel.from some of the ten “lost tribes” of Israel.

Africa scholar Modupe Oduyoye, in his book Africa scholar Modupe Oduyoye, in his book The The Sons of Gods and the Daughters of MenSons of Gods and the Daughters of Men, makes the , makes the case that linguistic evidence shows a direct case that linguistic evidence shows a direct connection between the ancient Semites* and the connection between the ancient Semites* and the people of West Africa people of West Africa

*Semitic languages include Hebrew and Aramaic*Semitic languages include Hebrew and Aramaic


African scholars emphasize the biblical African scholars emphasize the biblical references to Africa:references to Africa: Egypt and Ethiopia (certainly)Egypt and Ethiopia (certainly) Cush (possibly)Cush (possibly) Midian (possibly Jethro a black African, maybe Midian (possibly Jethro a black African, maybe

even the brains behind his son-in-law Moses)even the brains behind his son-in-law Moses) Psalm 68:31 (KJV) very popular quote: Psalm 68:31 (KJV) very popular quote:

““Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.”

Our StoryOur StoryAfrica’s “Old Testament”Africa’s “Old Testament”

The idea that Hebrew and African cultures drew from The idea that Hebrew and African cultures drew from or even originated from each other has given rise to or even originated from each other has given rise to the provocative speculation among Africans that the the provocative speculation among Africans that the traditional / native African religions may be linked to traditional / native African religions may be linked to the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

That is:That is: native or traditional African religion might native or traditional African religion might not be mere paganism, but might also contain not be mere paganism, but might also contain something of the Old Covenant, might embody in something of the Old Covenant, might embody in some way an “African Old Testament.” some way an “African Old Testament.” (more on this (more on this in a minute)in a minute)

No Other GodsNo Other Gods

Archbishop of Canterbury visiting the Anglican Church in Sri Lanka (Ceylon). Anglican-Episcopal World #126, pp. 18-19

No Other GodsNo Other GodsLiving Pagan TraditionsLiving Pagan Traditions

The presences of living pagan traditions makes The presences of living pagan traditions makes Old Testament Biblical injunctions against Old Testament Biblical injunctions against idolatry and false gods deeply relevant and idolatry and false gods deeply relevant and literal literal for African and Asian Christians:for African and Asian Christians: ““You shall have no gods before Me” is not taken You shall have no gods before Me” is not taken

metaphorically as an injunction against idolatrous metaphorically as an injunction against idolatrous pursuit of wealth, but pursuit of wealth, but literallyliterally..

The golden calf is not a symbol for materialism, The golden calf is not a symbol for materialism, but but literallyliterally a pagan idol. Don’t make or worship a pagan idol. Don’t make or worship pagan idols.pagan idols.

No Other GodsNo Other GodsLiving Pagan TraditionsLiving Pagan Traditions

African preachers frequently draw on texts like African preachers frequently draw on texts like Paul’s warning to the Athenians not to believe Paul’s warning to the Athenians not to believe foolishly in images and idols.foolishly in images and idols.

Janani Luwum, the Ugandan Anglican Janani Luwum, the Ugandan Anglican archbishop martyred by Idi Amin, praised archbishop martyred by Idi Amin, praised foreign missionaries who had “no option” in foreign missionaries who had “no option” in suppressing the “evil practices” of traditional suppressing the “evil practices” of traditional pagan religions.pagan religions.

No Other GodsNo Other GodsAfrica’s “Old Testament”Africa’s “Old Testament”

There is however another take on African’s There is however another take on African’s traditional / native religions that may seem traditional / native religions that may seem contradictory with this condemnation of paganism.contradictory with this condemnation of paganism.

The idea that Hebrew and African cultures drew from The idea that Hebrew and African cultures drew from or even originated from each other has given rise to or even originated from each other has given rise to the provocative speculation among some Africans the provocative speculation among some Africans that the traditional / native African religions might be that the traditional / native African religions might be linked in some ways to the faith of Abraham, Isaac, linked in some ways to the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.and Jacob. That is: native or traditional African religions might not be That is: native or traditional African religions might not be

mere paganism, but might also contain some legacy of the mere paganism, but might also contain some legacy of the Old Covenant. They might be thought of as partly Old Covenant. They might be thought of as partly embodying an “African Old Testament.”embodying an “African Old Testament.”


Such ideas have justified movements to try to include aspects Such ideas have justified movements to try to include aspects of African native / traditional religions in African Christianity.of African native / traditional religions in African Christianity.

This This inculturation movementinculturation movement is particularly influential in is particularly influential in Roman Catholicism. Roman Catholicism.

The Catholic archbishop of Bloemfontein, South Africa The Catholic archbishop of Bloemfontein, South Africa argued in 2000 that the church consider adopting blood argued in 2000 that the church consider adopting blood sacrifice in some of its rituals: sacrifice in some of its rituals: ““Sacrifice to the ancestors continues to be a very common Sacrifice to the ancestors continues to be a very common

practice among Africans. The slaughtering of an animal – practice among Africans. The slaughtering of an animal – cow or sheep – takes place wherever there is a funeral or cow or sheep – takes place wherever there is a funeral or marriage feast, or in times of illness, unemployment, family marriage feast, or in times of illness, unemployment, family feuds or the birth of a child. Is there a way to integrate this feuds or the birth of a child. Is there a way to integrate this custom with their Christian belief as a step towards custom with their Christian belief as a step towards meaningful inculturation? … Even sophisticated black meaningful inculturation? … Even sophisticated black Christians slaughter animals as part of their tradition of Christians slaughter animals as part of their tradition of communing with their ancestors at important occasions in communing with their ancestors at important occasions in their lives.”their lives.”


There is also a movement to incorporate There is also a movement to incorporate traditional notions of sacred lands into African traditional notions of sacred lands into African Christian practice.Christian practice.

No Other GodsNo Other GodsCharges of SyncretismCharges of Syncretism

The The inculturation movementinculturation movement has however has however alarmed other African Christians, who charge alarmed other African Christians, who charge it is an unhealthy syncretism and a deviation it is an unhealthy syncretism and a deviation from true Christianity.from true Christianity.

Reading Reading from the from the

BibleBible

The Archbishop of Canterbury officially opens a new measles prevention clinic in the Sudan. Anglican-Episcopal World #121, p. 11

Reading from the BibleReading from the BibleVeneration for the Old TestamentVeneration for the Old Testament

For a variety of reasons then, Global South For a variety of reasons then, Global South Christians – and Africans above all – venerate Christians – and Africans above all – venerate the Old Testament as a living source of the Old Testament as a living source of authority for Christiansauthority for Christians So when western Christians talk about moral laws So when western Christians talk about moral laws

that are “only” found in that are “only” found in LeviticusLeviticus, their underlying , their underlying assumption that assumption that LeviticusLeviticus does not count as much does not count as much rings hollow to Africans.rings hollow to Africans.

Reading from the BibleReading from the BibleFavorite Bible BooksFavorite Bible Books

Sermon texts reveal several “favorite” Bible Sermon texts reveal several “favorite” Bible books among African preachers. These books among African preachers. These include:include: GenesisGenesis (most cited) (most cited) ExodusExodus and and IsaiahIsaiah EcclesiastesEcclesiastes and and ProverbsProverbs MatthewMatthew is the favorite gospel (= the “Jewish” is the favorite gospel (= the “Jewish”

gospel), followed by gospel), followed by JohnJohn ActsActs


In In ActsActs, Africans find arguments that they , Africans find arguments that they don’t have to renounce their culture for don’t have to renounce their culture for Christianity:Christianity: Just as Greeks and Romans did not have to Just as Greeks and Romans did not have to

renounce their culture and become “Judaized,” so renounce their culture and become “Judaized,” so too the Igbo do not have to be “Europeanized” or too the Igbo do not have to be “Europeanized” or “Americanized” to be fully Christian.“Americanized” to be fully Christian.


Native African missionaries readily identify with Paul’s Native African missionaries readily identify with Paul’s methods for presenting the Christian message:methods for presenting the Christian message: Paul’s speech at Lystra: (Paul’s speech at Lystra: (Acts 14:16-17 NRSV): “… In past

generations he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good – giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.”

Paul’s speech to the Athenians: (Acts 17:22-24 NRSV) “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands …”

Hebrews and Hebrews and RevelationRevelation

Choir from the Anglican Church in Juba, Sudan, greets the Archbishop of Canterbury and his delegates during his pastoral visit to the Sudan. Anglican-Episcopal World, #121, p. 12

Hebrews and RevelationHebrews and RevelationThe Blood of the LambThe Blood of the Lamb

Also popular among African Christians are Also popular among African Christians are those books that especially resonate with those books that especially resonate with African religious symbolism (and Old African religious symbolism (and Old Testament themes) of sacrifice and sacrificial Testament themes) of sacrifice and sacrificial blood, sacrificial animals – most commonly a blood, sacrificial animals – most commonly a lamb – as well as priestly mediation:lamb – as well as priestly mediation: The The Letter to the HebrewsLetter to the Hebrews RevelationRevelation

Hebrews and RevelationHebrews and RevelationHebrewsHebrews

HebrewsHebrews, written by an unknown author , written by an unknown author (although long attributed to Paul), has some of (although long attributed to Paul), has some of the shrewdest arguments (and perhaps the best the shrewdest arguments (and perhaps the best Greek writing) in the New TestamentGreek writing) in the New Testament

It assumes a deep knowledge of Jewish temple It assumes a deep knowledge of Jewish temple ritual, and describes how the temple sacrifice ritual, and describes how the temple sacrifice has been superseded by the once-and-for-all has been superseded by the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus dying on the cross.sacrifice of Jesus dying on the cross.

Hebrews and RevelationHebrews and RevelationHebrews as Africa’s LetterHebrews as Africa’s Letter

Kwame Bediako, African theologian, in “The Kwame Bediako, African theologian, in “The Epistle to the Epistle to the HebrewsHebrews as OUR Epistle,” writes: as OUR Epistle,” writes:

““the value for us of the presentation of Jesus in the value for us of the presentation of Jesus in HebrewsHebrews stems from its relevance to a society like stems from its relevance to a society like ours with its deep tradition of sacrifice, priestly ours with its deep tradition of sacrifice, priestly mediation, and ancestral function … the traditional mediation, and ancestral function … the traditional purificatory rituals of Odwira, repeated year after purificatory rituals of Odwira, repeated year after year [in Ghana], have in fact been fulfilled and year [in Ghana], have in fact been fulfilled and transcended by the one, perfect Odwira that Jesus transcended by the one, perfect Odwira that Jesus Christ has performed once for all … The Odwira to Christ has performed once for all … The Odwira to end all Odwiras has taken place through the death of end all Odwiras has taken place through the death of Jesus Christ.”Jesus Christ.”

Hebrews and RevelationHebrews and RevelationRevelationRevelation

RevelationRevelation is also a book very appealing to is also a book very appealing to Africans:Africans: Its dominant symbols of the lamb, the throne, the Its dominant symbols of the lamb, the throne, the

blood, and the animals are common in African blood, and the animals are common in African religious symbolism.religious symbolism.

The dead are still alive in another world, and The dead are still alive in another world, and influence the life of those in this world.influence the life of those in this world.

The future can be seen through dreams and The future can be seen through dreams and visionary revelations.visionary revelations.

Hebrews and RevelationHebrews and RevelationRevelationRevelation

Africans have a fascination for prophetic Africans have a fascination for prophetic utterances, and treat visionary texts with great utterances, and treat visionary texts with great respect.respect.

Dismissing the book of Dismissing the book of RevelationRevelation as “only as “only dreams” is a puzzling and nonsensical dreams” is a puzzling and nonsensical statement in the African context.statement in the African context.

Wisdom Wisdom BooksBooks

The Archbishop of Canterbury in the Sudan. Anglican-Episcopal World, #121, cover

Wisdom BooksWisdom BooksWays to LiveWays to Live

The Wisdom books of the Bible offer practical ways The Wisdom books of the Bible offer practical ways of living in the world, and are also very popular of living in the world, and are also very popular among African and Asian Christiansamong African and Asian Christians

Old Testament:Old Testament: ProverbsProverbs EcclesiastesEcclesiastes

Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha works:Deuterocanonical / Apocrypha works: Wisdom of SolomonWisdom of Solomon SirachSirach (= (= EcclesiasticusEcclesiasticus))

New Testament:New Testament: The Letter of JamesThe Letter of James

Wisdom BooksWisdom BooksProverbsProverbs

ProverbsProverbs is very popular and carries great authority in is very popular and carries great authority in Africa:Africa: The genre is an old friend. The people are used to speaking The genre is an old friend. The people are used to speaking

in symbols, proverbs, and riddles.in symbols, proverbs, and riddles. Has supplanted many traditional proverbs and popular Has supplanted many traditional proverbs and popular

wisdom central in the old oral culture.wisdom central in the old oral culture. Revered as the collective wisdom of ancestors, handed Revered as the collective wisdom of ancestors, handed

down to instruct the living.down to instruct the living. We in the affluent north on the other hand, have little We in the affluent north on the other hand, have little

respect for the “wisdom of elders,” and instead place respect for the “wisdom of elders,” and instead place greater value on novelty in ideas and expression.greater value on novelty in ideas and expression.

Wisdom BooksWisdom BooksProverbsProverbs

““For the African the proverb is the spice by For the African the proverb is the spice by which Africans chew kola.” (Chinua Achebe)which Africans chew kola.” (Chinua Achebe)

““If the [Old Testament] Wisdom appears like a If the [Old Testament] Wisdom appears like a thick forest to those from the West, to thick forest to those from the West, to Africans, it is more like a plain” (Madipoane Africans, it is more like a plain” (Madipoane Masenya)Masenya)

Wisdom BooksWisdom BooksThe Letter of JamesThe Letter of James

The Letter of JamesThe Letter of James is also relished by African is also relished by African Christians for its practical day-to-day advice.Christians for its practical day-to-day advice.

JamesJames:: Is the only entire work of Wisdom literature in the New Is the only entire work of Wisdom literature in the New

Testament.Testament. Not really a letter, but rather a sermon or exhortationNot really a letter, but rather a sermon or exhortation Uses and comments on traditional Wisdom texts, including Uses and comments on traditional Wisdom texts, including

ProverbsProverbs and and EcclesiastesEcclesiastes.. Cites Old Testament figures like Abraham and Job as Cites Old Testament figures like Abraham and Job as

models for living.models for living. Quotes the words of Jesus more extensively than any other Quotes the words of Jesus more extensively than any other

Letter, and does so in very ancient forms.Letter, and does so in very ancient forms.

Wisdom BooksWisdom BooksThe Letter of JamesThe Letter of James

JamesJames:: Strongly practical, defines religion as care for the Strongly practical, defines religion as care for the

pure and powerlesspure and powerless It was written for an unpopular Christian minority living It was written for an unpopular Christian minority living

within a hostile non-Christian culture. Such Christians within a hostile non-Christian culture. Such Christians were assumed to need practical lessons for living amidst were assumed to need practical lessons for living amidst a society that lacked any Christian values.a society that lacked any Christian values.

Flatly denies the theory of justification by faith Flatly denies the theory of justification by faith alone, affirming the value of good works over alone, affirming the value of good works over faith.faith.

Martin Luther: “St. James’ Epistle is really an epistle of Martin Luther: “St. James’ Epistle is really an epistle of straw compared to [St. Paul’s letters] …”straw compared to [St. Paul’s letters] …”

A Holy PeopleA Holy People

African women welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury to Angola wearing their Archbishop t-shirts. Anglican-Episcopal World, #125, p. 8

A Holy PeopleA Holy PeopleIdeas of a Godly NationIdeas of a Godly Nation

Exodus 19:5-6 NRSV: “… if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation”

Leviticus 11:45 NRSV: “I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt, to be your God; you shall be holy, for I am holy”

Proverbs 14:34 NRSV: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Psalm 33:12 NRSV: “Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.”


Such Old Testament passages support a view that nations and peoples, no less than individuals, will be judged on how they enact and enforce God’s laws.

Religion is not merely a matter for individuals, but is communal. Nations will be punished for their collective sins.

In the affluent North, we frequently use such ideas: to argue that the nation has a responsibility:

to use its power to fight oppression, to use its wealth to aid the poor and helpless.

to argue that any war must satisfy the criteria of a “just war theory” to be justified before the eyes of God


The Churches of the Global South go even further than the affluent North with their belief that the collective sins of a nation includes the individual moral sins of its members. That is: personal immorality is also part of the national burden, part of

a peoples’ collective offense against God. Divine retribution might extend for generations:

Exodus 20:5-6 NRSV: “…for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.”


2 Chronicles 7:14 NRSV: “…if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Healing then is an issue for both the land and community.

Many African preachers thus blame the region’s underdevelopment on its past enslavement to heathenism.

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Poor and RichPoor and Rich

For many Southern readers, the Bible is For many Southern readers, the Bible is congenial because the world it describes congenial because the world it describes is marked by contemporary problems is marked by contemporary problems such as famine and plague, poverty and such as famine and plague, poverty and exile, clientelism and corruption. The exile, clientelism and corruption. The excruciating poverty of a Lazarus eating excruciating poverty of a Lazarus eating the crumbs beneath the rich man's table the crumbs beneath the rich man's table is not just a archaeological curiosityis not just a archaeological curiosity

Documents

The New Faces of Christianity in the Global South Old and New Testaments Sunday, August 5, 2007 9 to 9:50 am, in the Parlor Everyone is welcome! March