Biblical Studies, Theology, Religion and Philosophy

Description

This book introduces the study of Biblical studies, theology, religion and philosophy from an African perspective. The book comprises twenty six chapters divided into four sections. The first section deals with Biblical studies, the second with theology, the third with religion and the fourth with philosophy. The contributions are from 20 eminent scholars from African and Caribbean universities.

Informations

• Publié par: Zapf Chancery Publishers Africa Ltd.
• Date de parution: 28 juin 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9789966040251
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 4 Mo

Extrait

Biblical Studies, Theology,Religion and Philosophy

Zapf Chancery Tertiary Level Publications

A Guide to Academic Writingby C. B. Peter (1994) Africa in the 21st Century by Eric M. Aseka (1996) Women in Development by Egara Kabaji (1997) Introducing Social Science: A Guidebookby J. H. van Doorne (2000) Elementary Statistics by J. H. van Doorne (2001) Iteso Survival Rites on the Birth of Twins by Festus B. Omusolo (2001) The Church in the New Millennium: Three Studies in the Acts of the ApostlesJohn Stott (2002) by Introduction to Philosophy in an African Perspective by Cletus N.Chukwu (2002) Participatory Monitoring and EvaluationFrancis W. Mulwa and Simon N. Nguluu (2003) by Applied Ethics and HIV/AIDS in AfricaCletus N. Chukwu (2003) by For God and Humanity: 100 Years of St. Paul’s United Theological CollegeEdited by Emily Onyango (2003) Establishing and Managing School Libraries and Resource Centres by Margaret Makenzi and Raymond Ongus (2003) Introduction to the Study of Religion by Nehemiah Nyaundi (2003) A Guest in God’s World: Memories of Madagascar by Patricia McGregor (2004) Introduction to Critical ThinkingJ. Kahiga Kiruki (2004) by Theological Education in Contemporary Africa edited by GrantLeMarquand and Joseph D. Galgalo (2004) Looking Religion in the Eyeby Kennedy Onkware (2004) edited Computer Programming: Theory and PracticeGerald Injendi (2005) by Demystifying Participatory Development by Francis W. Mulwa (2005) Music Education in Kenya: A Historical Perspective by Hellen A. Odwar (2005) Into the Sunshine: Integrating HIV/AIDS into Ethics Curriculum Edited by Charles Klagba and C. B. Peter (2005) Integrating HIV/AIDS into Ethics Curriculum: Suggested Modulesby Charles Klagba (2005) Edited Dying Voice (An Anthropological Novel)Andrew K. Tanui (2006) by Participatory Learning and Action (PLA): A Guide to Best PracticeEnoch Harun Opuka (2006) by Science and Human Values: Essays in Science, Religion, and Modern Ethical Issues edited by Nehemiah Nyaundi and Kennedy Onkware (2006) Understanding Adolescent BehaviourDaniel Kasomo (2006) by Students’ Handbook for Guidance and CounsellingDaniel Kasomo (2007) by BusinessOrganization and Management: Questions and AnswersMusa O. Nyakora (2007) by Auditing Priniples: A Stuents’ Handbook by Musa O. Nyakora (2007) The Concept ofBothoand HIV/AIDS in Botswana edite by Joseph B. R. Gaie and Sana K. MMolai (2007) Captive of Fate: A Novel by Ketty Arucy (2007) A Guide to EthicsJoseph Njino (2008) by Pastoral Theology: Rediscovering African Models and Methods by John N. B. Ikenye (2009) The Royal Son: Balancing Barthian and African Christologies by Zablon Bundi Mutongu (2009) AIDS, Sexuality, and Gender: Experiencing of Women in Kenyan Universities by Nyokabi Kamau ( 2 0 0 9 ) Modern Facilitation and Training and Training Methodology: A Guide to Best Practice in Africa by Frederick Chelule (2009) How to Write a Winning Thesis by Simon Kang’ethe et al (2009) Absolute Power and OtherStoriesby Ambrose Rotich Keitany (2009) Y’sdom in Africa: A Personal Journey by Stanley Kinyeki (2010) Abortion and Morality Debate in the African ContextGeorge Kegode (2010) by The Holy Spirit as LiberaotorJoseph Koech (2010) by Modeling Servant-Leaders for Africa: Lessons from St. Paul by Ndung’u John Brown Ikenye (2010) Biblical Studies, Theology, Religion and Philosophy: An Introduction for African Universities, General Editor: James N. Amanze (2010)

Biblical Studies, Theology,Religion and Philosophy: An Introduction for African Universities

General Editor The Rev. Canon Prof. James N. Amanze, PhD Department of Theology and Religious Studies University of Botswana

Co-Editors F. Nkomazana, PhD The Rev. O. N. Kealotswe, PhD Department of Theology and Religious Studies University of Botswana

Zapf Chancery Eldoret, Kenya

First Published 2010 © Authors All rights reserved.

Cover Concept and Design Edwin K. Amanze

Associate Designer and Typesetter Nancy Njeri

Copyediting Cathy Burgess Phill Chesworth Benson Shiholo Leona Wisoker

Editor and Publishing Consultant C. B. Peter

Printed by Kijabe Printing Press, P. O. Box 40, Kijabe.

Published by

Zapf Chancery Research Consultants and Publishers, P. O. Box 4988, Eldoret, Kenya. Email: [e-mail] Mobile: [phone]

ISBN 978-9966-7341-2-9

This book has been printed on fully recyclable, environment-friendly paper.

Acknowledgements

his work is a result of the cooperation of several scholars, who agreed to sacrifice T their time to write most chapters of this book. Judging by its complexity and comprehensiveness, it appears to us that a lot of time was devoted to arduous research in the production of this magnificent work. We would like to take this opportunity to thank those who volunteered information in the field, which enabled us to write some of the chapters of this book. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the Ecumenical Theological Education (ETE-WCC) in Geneva and the Evangelisches Missionswerk in Deutschland, for their financial assistance, which enabled us to complete this work. We are particularly indebted to Dietrich Werner, Maureen Trott, Verena Grueter, Owe Boersma and Sylvia Camacho for their encouragement and moral support in our endeavour to publish this book which we hope will contribute tremendously to ecumenical theological education in Africa for the advancement of God’s Kingdom on earth.  Our deep gratitude goes to members of staff in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Botswana and outside the department who read a number of chapters of this book and provided critical and scholarly comments on the content and outlook of the book and suggested ways and means of improving the text to enhance its academic usefulness. Space does not allow us to mention each one of them by name but to them all we say “You are great scholars, keep it up.” We dedicate this book to all peace loving daughters and sons of Africa in their endeavour to make our continent a better place to live in. Finally, we gratefully acknowledge the expert cooperation of our publishers M/S Zapf Chancery Research Consultants and Publishers (Kenya) under the publishing consultancy of the Rev. C. B. Peter and his dedicated team of copyeditors in Kenya, UK, and USA in producing this book to professional standards.

Contents

Acknowledgements..........................................................................................v

Introduction1.....................................................................................................

Part One: Biblical Studies Chapter One:The Bible: A History of Interpretation and Methods (Johanna Stiebert, Univesity of Tennessee).............................................. 11

Chapter Two:An Overview of the Old Testament(Lovemore Togarasei, University of Botswana)...........................................................................37

Chapter Three:Major Themes in the Old Testament(Masego Kanis and Lovemore Togarasei, University of Botswana).................................. 53

Chapter Four:A Survey of the New Testament(Lovemore Togarasei , University of Botswana)........................................................................... 69

Chapter Five:Major Themes in the New Testament(Tlali Lerotholi National University of Lesotho).............................................................. 89

Chapter Six:Religion, Race, Gender and Identity(Musa W. Dube, University of Botswana)......................................................................... 107

Chapter Seven:Reading and Understanding the Bible as an African (James N. Amanze University of Botswana)............................................ 115

Part Two: Theology Chapter Eight:Introduction to Christian Theology: Its Tasks and Methods(James N. Amanze, University of Botswana) ............................ 139

Chapter Nine:African Theology: A Contextual Analysis of Zimbabwe (Tabona Shoko, University of Zimbabwe) ............................................... 163

vii

Chapter Ten:Rethinking the Role of Liberation Theology (Moji Africa Ruele, University of Botswana) ............................................177

Chapter Eleven:Major Themes in Black Theology (Francis C. L. Rakotsoane, National University of Lesotho)201 .................

Chapter Twelve:What is in a Name?-Forging a Theoretical Framework for African Women’s Theologies(Isabel Apawo Phiri and Sarojini Nadar, University of Kwazulu-Natal)..................................213

Chapter Thirteen:Theology of African Independent Churches (Obed N. Kealotswe, University of Botswana)229 .......................................

Part Three: Religious Studies Chapter Fourteen:Introduction to Religious Studies(Francis Rakotsoane, National University of Lesotho)............................................ 251

Chapter Fifteen:Phenomenology of Religion(Ezra Chitando, University of Zimbabwe)......................................................................... 263

Chapter Sixteen:African Traditional Religions in Contemporary Africa: Challenges and Prospects(James N. Amanze, University of Botswana) ......................................................................... 283

th Chapter Seventeen:CenturyChristianity in Africa in the 20 (Fidelis Nkomazana, University of Botswana)........................................ 313

Chapter Eighteen:Africa’s Muslims: Expressing Their Religious Identity (Muhammed Haron, University of Botswana)343 ..........................................

Chapter Nineteen:Hinduism and Buddhism: An introduction (Garth Mason, University of Botswana) .................................................381

Part Four: Philosophy Chapter Twenty:A General Introduction to Philosophy: Its Tasks and Methods(T. A. Chimuka, University of Zimbabwe)................................ 399

Chapter Twenty One:Logic, Critical Thinking, and Science (I. B. Ikpe, University of Botswana)........................................................ 415

Chapter Twenty Two:Introduction to Epistemology (Louis M. Manyeli, National University of Lesotho)............................... .437

v i i i

Chapter Twenty Three:African Philosophy(John Ayotunde Bewaji, University of West Indies) ......................................................... 457

Chapter Twenty Four: Moral Theories (Simon Mawondo, National University of Lesotho)............................................................... 495

Chapter Twenty Five:Applied Ethics ( Joseph B. R. Gaie, University of Botswana)......................................................................... 517

Chapter Twenty Six:Philosophical Metaphysics in Africa (Kipton Jensen, University of Botswana)............................................ ..539

Bibliography.................................................................................................. 555

Contributors...................................................................................................591

Index of Personal Names...................................................................................595

Index of Subjects...........................................................................................600

i x

Introduction

Introduction

his book introduces students to the study of Biblical studies, theology, religion T and philosophy from an African perspective. It has been written by scholars with great international reputations and with many years’ experience in teaching and research at reputable international universities. It is, therefore, an excellent and indispensable tool for learning and will become a companion for life. The book comprises twenty six chapters divided into four sections. The first section deals with Biblical studies, the second with theology, the third with religion and the fourth with philosophy. In chapter one,Johanna Stiebert introduces students to Biblical interpretation. She begins by noting that Biblical criticism was once almost entirely the preserve of university-educated, white, western males and that most interpreters were Christians. Nowadays however, many more voices, of those once absent or marginalized, have actively joined in the interpretation of Biblical texts. Among these are people from other religious traditions or none, as well as interpreters who are women, or black, or from non-western nations, or homosexual, or with HIV/AIDS or with experience of HIV/AIDS—to name just a few! She notes that Biblical criticism is now a more varied and vibrant discipline and comments that voices from Africa add considerably to this diversity. The author also observes that there has been a shift in Biblical interpretation towards subjectivity. Whilst in the past the emphasis was on the text of the Bible, nowadays it is on the interpreter of the text. In chapter two,Lovemore Togarasei provides an overview of the Hebrew Bible. This chapter is divided into seven sections. The first gives the geographical, historical, cultural and religious background of the books of the Old Testament. The second looks at the origins of the canon of the Hebrew Bible. The third is a survey of the main themes in the books of Law. The fourth focuses on the books of History, highlighting the emergence of Israel as a nation. The fifth is a discussion of the Writings. The sixth introduces the books of the Prophets. Section seven looks at the close of the Old Testament followed by a conclusion to the chapter. An attempt is made throughout this chapter to survey the Old Testament with an African eye. This means reading the books contextually, highlighting how the books have been and continue to be used to shape African lives. This is particularly appropriate because Christianity is fast becoming an African religion. In the third chapter, Masego Kanis and Lovemore Togarasei focus on the major themes in the Old Testament. These are derived from a careful analysis of events that had an impact on the history and lives of the Israelites. The authors approach the Old