“A MONUMENTAL WORK . . .

” — Rick Warren

Africa
Bible
Commentary
A One-Volume Commentary
Written by 70 African Scholars

sampler
Book of James

Tokunboh Adeyemo
General Editor
FOREWORDS BY JOHN R. STOTT AND ROBERT K. ABOAGYE-MENSAH
AFRICA BIBLE COMMENTARY

General Editor
Tokunboh Adeyemo

Theological Editors
Solomon Andria, Issiaka Coulibaly,
Tewoldemedhin Habtu, Samuel Ngewa

Theological Advisors
Kwame Bediako, Isabel Apawo Phiri, Yusufu Turaki
 www.wordalivepublishers.com

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First published in 2006

© ABC Editorial Board, Association of Evangelicals of Africa (AEA)

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– electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission
of the appropriate publisher.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. ‘NIV’ is a registered trademark of the
International Bible Society and is used by permission.

Requests for information on all other English editions should be addressed to Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530, USA

Africa Edition
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for information on translations should be addressed to the Piquant Agency, PO Box 83, Carlisle, CA3 9HZ, UK
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Africa www.piquant.net
Edition ISBN-13: 978-9966-805-78-2
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Africa Edition ISBN-10: 9966-805-78-8

Africa Edition ISBN-13: 978-9966-805-78-2
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Zondervan Edition ISBN-13: 978-0-310-26473-6

Cover design: Projectluz [email protected]

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 ministry. But this statement assumes that they can under- its perspective African, and its approach to controversial
stand it. Hence the wonderful provision of the Africa Bible questions balanced. I intend to use it myself in order to
FOREWORD BY DR JOHN STOTT
Commentary. One of the most significant recent develop-
ments in the churches of Africa is the rise of sound FOREWORDS
biblical
gain African insights into the Word of God. Indeed, I hope
it will have a worldwide readership, so that we may better
scholarship. The church is fortunate indeed to see this grasp ‘with all God’s people’ the full dimensions of Christ’s
resurgence
The Bible has in the continent that part
an indispensable gavetousplay suchininterpreters
the church love (Eph 3:18).landmark, and I congratulate contributors
is a publishing
xas Augustine
member’s and Athanasius.
personal The in
discipleship and Africa Bible Commentary
the pastor’s preaching and editors on their achievement. Its foundation isJohn Stott
biblical,
ministry. But this statement assumes that they can under- its perspective African, and its approach toDecember 2005
controversial
Acknowledgements
stand it. Hence the wonderful provision of the Africa Bible •questions The editors for theirIsound
balanced. intendandto erudite scholarship
use it myself withto
in order a
Commentary.
We praise GodOne for of
allthe
he most significant recent
has accomplished. And itdevelop-
is also touch of spiritual anointing, as well as
gain African insights into the Word of God. Indeed, I hopefor their selfless,
ments in the
important churches
that of Africa isthe
we acknowledge the significant
rise of sound biblical
contribu- sacrificial
it will have aservice.
worldwide readership, so that we may better
scholarship.
tions made by The certainchurch is fortunate
organizations indeed to see
and individuals this •grasp
without All ‘with
sixty-nine contributors
all God’s people’ thefor fullmaking
dimensionshistory in our
of Christ’s
resurgence
which the ABC in the continent
could not have that gave
been born.us such interpreters generation
love (Eph 3:18). by producing the first ever one-volume Bible
as Augustine and Athanasius. The Africa
• The AEA for officially sponsoring the ABC and giving theBible Commentary commentary for the church in Africa. John Stott
• Zondervan, WordAlive and Oasis for agreeing to publish,
FOREWORD BY DR ABOAGYE-MENSAH
editorial board the academic and management freedom
to function. distribute and market the ABC.
December 2005

• SIM for facilitating the logistics and finances required to • Jim Mason, Pieter Kwant, Isobel Stevenson, Krysia Lear,
move the process forward to its completion. Maybeth Henderson, Sue Prior and Judy Milasi for your
The phenomenal growth of the church in Africa brings with In interpreting
ability to juggle the biblical
multiple ABCtext,
ballsthe authors
without have also
dropping any
• NEGST for serving as the academic centre for the ABC,
it many challenges. One of these challenges is how to sus- been
of able to bring together Christian spirituality and the
them.
hosting our meetings, and making its library and other
tain the numerical growth while ensuring that the faith of •depth of their
All those understanding
individuals of African
and groups in Africa culture
and aroundand reli-
the
facilities available to visiting scholars.
Christians is firmly grounded in the revealed and written gion.
world who have supported this project in prayer.
FOREWORD BY DR ABOAGYE-MENSAH
• The Langham Partnership International for providing
word of God – the Holy Bible. Grounding the people’s faith in • All
scholarships to enable many of our scholars to proceed
the Bible requires intensifying the teaching ministry of the tians
Africawho
Thethose Biblehave
outsideincurred
expenses
Commentary
the Africanin
will also to
given generously
continent the
producing whoABC.
be cover
usefulthe to Chris-
want to enrich their
many
on sabbaticals in order to write.
church. This, in turn, creates a need for appropriate tools to •own understanding
Finally, I would like of tothethank
BibleDrbyJohn stepping
Stott CBE outsidefor
• Institutions of higher learning (including UNISA, GIMPA
assist
Theand pastors, seminarians,
phenomenal growth of theologians,
the church in lay preachers
Africa brings and
with their
In own
writing culture
a
interpreting and
forewordthe experience.
to the
biblicalABC In
text,andso
thedoing,
Dr theyhave
Robert
authors will gain
Aboagye-also
Biola University) and retreat centres for hosting
Christian
it many Education teachers
challenges. Onetheir to teach
of these effectively.
challenges ThetoAfrica
is how sus- insights
Mensah,
been ableinto their
bringown
toPresiding culture as
of well,
BishopChristian
together for the African
the Methodist
spirituality Church
andschol-
of
the
ABC scholars during sabbaticals.
Bible
tain Commentary
the numerical written
growth bywhile
African theologians
ensuring that has
the come
faith of ars
depth whoofcontributed
Ghana, and
their the to the
many commentary
others
understanding who
of have
African also have aand
honoured
culture richABC
the and
reli-
• Technical teams in Europe and Canada for helping with
at the rightistime!
Christians firmly grounded in the revealedproofreading,
and written varied
withexperiences
gion. of the life of the church outside Africa.
their endorsements.
the administration, copyediting, translation,
What
word of Godmakes
– the the
Holy Africa
Bible. Bible Commentary
Grounding the unique
people’s and
faith in Our IThe
wish
prayer toisexpress
Africa that
Bible justmyasdeepest
CommentaryGod used
willappreciation
his word
also be usefultotoignite
all those
the
to Chris-
typesetting, tracking down missing writers, and the like.
relevant
the Bible isrequires
the factintensifying
that it has been
the written by
teaching Africanoftheo-
ministry the who
fire
tians ofcontributed
Reformation
outside the tointhe
African writing
Europe in
continent ofwho
the this commentary
sixteenth
want to century,
enrich and
he
their
• The advisors for wise counsel, penetrating academic and
logians
church. who
This,love the creates
ininsights
turn, Lord and are committed
a need to thetools
forcontributions.
appropriate life of enthusiastically
to will
ownuse the ABC to
understanding recommend
do of
thethesameit in
to Africa
Bible Christians
today.everywhere
by stepping Amen!
outside
theological and invaluable
the church.
assist pastors,They write out oftheologians,
seminarians, their matured laypractical
preachersexpe-
and who
their want to understand
own culture the BibleIninsoorder
and experience. doing,totheylivewill
out gain
and
Tokunboh Adeyemo,
rience in teaching
Christian Education theteachers
Bible within the effectively.
to teach Christian community.
The Africa share
insights their
intofaith.
their own culture as well, for the African schol-
General Editor,
The
Biblecontent
Commentary of thewritten
commentary can theologians
by African thus be described
has come as ars who contributed ThetoMost Rev. Dr Robertalso
the commentary K. Aboagye-Mensah
Africa Biblehave a rich and
Commentary
tried
at the and
righttested
time! material that will help others towards varied experiences of the life of the church outside Presiding Bishop
Africa.
February 2006
Christian
What makesmaturity thewhen prayerfully
Africa used.
Bible Commentary unique and I wish to express my deepest Theappreciation
Methodist Church, to allGhana
those
relevant is the fact that it has been written by African theo- who contributed to the writing of this commentary February 2006 and
logians who love the Lord and are committed to the life of enthusiastically recommend it to Christians everywhere
the church. They write out of their matured practical expe- who want to understand the Bible in order to live out and
rience in teaching the Bible within the Christian community. share their faith.
The content of the commentary can thus be described as The Most Rev. Dr Robert K. Aboagye-Mensah
tried and tested material that will help others towards THE VISION Presiding Bishop
Christian maturity when prayerfully used. The Methodist Church, Ghana
Vision statement for the ABC drafted in January 2001 February 2006

The Africa Bible Commentary is a one-volume commentary by its very nature, a major exercise in compression, with a
written and edited by African biblical scholars on all the rigorous discipline governing what needs to be included and
books of the Bible. The general aim of the commentary is what needs to be omitted. This volume, therefore, does not
to make the word of God speak relevantly to African realities delve into critical and exegetical details. Based on the firm
today. More especially, it targets Christian leaders at the conviction of and belief in the divine inspiration and authority
grassroots level – pastors, students, and lay leaders – who, of Holy Scripture, it seeks to offer the reader a contextual
under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, can be instrumental readable and affordable guide.
in the establishment and nurture of a vibrant church in the
continent. A one-volume commentary on the whole Bible is, The fruit of that vision is now in your hands!

3
 GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Everything begins with an idea, a thought, or a concept. Of special benefit are the up-to-date specialist articles
As the idea grows, possibilities begin to emerge, riding on dealing with burning issues and problems such as poverty,
the wings of creative thinking. It is like the seed in the favouritism, HIV/AIDS, refugees, war, politics and so
parable of the Sower that falls on good soil and yields a on. And all this information is in one volume, which is
bumper harvest (Matt 13:8). In the case of the Africa Bible easy-to-use, easy to handle, surprisingly light to carry,
Commentary (ABC), this harvest has sprung from an idea and very affordable! Even better, it is being published in
that began to grow in the minds of a number of African both English and French, and will soon be translated into
church leaders and a cross-section of overseas missionary several African languages.
partners working in Africa.
Using the ABC
The History of the ABC What can the ABC be used for? At the top of my list is
In September 1994, representatives of Protestant personal devotion. As general editor, I had to critique and
churches, both ecumenical and evangelical, gathered correct every manuscript. But after completing this task,
in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Second Pan-Africa Christian I began to use the manuscripts for my quiet time. For the
Leadership Assembly (PACLA II). At this historic meeting, shorter books, I first read the entire book in the Bible and
Christian leaders identified deficient knowledge of the then the commentary on the book. For the longer books,
Bible and faulty application of its teaching as the primary I read between five and ten chapters a day and then read
weakness of the church in Africa. They recognized that the the corresponding commentary. My spiritual life has been
church in Africa was a mile long in terms of quantity, but enriched, and I strongly recommend this approach.
only an inch deep in terms of quality. The Bible needed I have also used portions of the ABC for my sermon
to be interpreted and explained to the people in familiar preparation and pulpit ministry. While doing this, I have
language, using colloquial metaphors, African thought- learned many new things about African peoples of whom
forms and nuances, and practical applications that fitted I previously knew nothing. For example, until I read the
the African context. After all, God is closer to the people ABC on Leviticus, I did not know about the Iraqw tribe in
when he speaks in their language, as St Augustine of Hippo northern Tanzania who are of Semitic extraction and have
once said. much in common with the Hebrews.
Eventually a dream was born among the leadership of All of the ABC editors are seminary professors. All of
the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) for an them have used some portions of the ABC as part of their
African Bible Commentary produced by seventy African class lectures. In fact, some students at the NEGST who
scholars and theologians, male and female, Francophone interacted with my own manuscript on 2 Peter sent me their
and Anglophone, who would both explain the text of all comments, expressing their agreement or disagreement
sixty-six books in the Bible and apply the Bible’s teaching with what I had said. Such discussion is beneficial for all
to contemporary Africa. This commentary is the result of us as we seek to understand and apply God’s Word.
of that dream—a fundamental resource for the church in This experience confirms that the ABC will be a powerful
Africa. resource book for fellowship group discussions and even
for Sunday school classes in churches. I expect to find the
ABC in every library of every Bible college, seminary,
The Contents of the ABC university and other institution of higher learning
The ABC is not a critical, academic, verse-by-verse throughout Africa and beyond.
commentary. Rather, it contains section-by-section exegesis I also strongly recommend the ABC to every missionary
and explanation of the whole Bible as seen through the working in Africa or intending to serve in Africa as it will
eyes of African scholars who respect the integrity of the give them insights into the Scriptures and into Africa that
text and use African proverbs, metaphors, and stories to can only benefit their ministry
make it speak to African believers in the villages and cities Though the ABC is written by Africans and primarily
across the entire continent. The application is both bold for Africans, it can be used with benefit by those who are
and faithful. Thus the ABC does not speak of a Black not Africans. In fact, reading the Bible through African
Jesus. To do so would be a travesty of the Bible story and lenses may help to inspire others with the dynamism and
cheap scholarship. Instead, the ABC is true to the text and excitement that is common in African churches.
honest to its context both in Bible days and in our day.
The ABC is, in fact, a mini-library that equips pastors Tokunboh Adeyemo,
and teachers to teach the churches and encourages students General Editor, Africa Bible Commentary
and church members to study God’s word for themselves. February 2006
4
 OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE / CONTRIBUTERS

Oversight Committee Kasali, David M. Congo

Kassa, Tesfaye D. Ethiopia
General Editor Tokunboh Adeyemo Kinoti, George Kenya
Theological Editors Solomon Andria Kisau, Paul Mumo Kenya
Issiaka Coulibaly Kossé, Kuzuli Congo
Tewoldemedhin Koudougueret, Rosalie Central African
Habtu Republic
Samuel Ngewa Kunhiyop, Samuel Waje Nigeria
Theological Advisors Kwame Bediako Larbi, E. Kingsley Ghana
Isabel Apawo Phiri Lasisi, Lawrence Adenyi Nigeria
Yusufu Turaki Lawanson, Aderemi
(Remi) Tesilimi Nigeria
Contributers Mautsa, Makoto Lloyd Zimbabwe
Milasi, Judith A. Kenya
Abate, Eshetu Koyra Ethiopia Mojola, Aloo Osotsi Kenya
Aboagye-Mensah, Robert. K. Ghana Muriithi, Sicily Mbura Kenya
Adei, Stephen Ghana Musekura, Celestin Rwanda
Adeyemo, Tokunboh Nigeria Musibi, Patrick Moses Kenya
Adoyo, Bonifes E. Kenya Musopole, Augustine Malawi
Afriyie, Ernestina Ghana Mutonono, Dwight S. M. Zimbabwe
Ahoga, Augustin Cossi Benin Ndjerareou, Abel Laoundoye Chad
Akanni, Gbile Nigeria Ngewa, Samuel M. Kenya
Andria (Andriatsimialomananarivo), Ngundu, Onesimus Zimbabwe
Solomon Madagascar Njoroge, Nyambura J. Kenya
Assohoto, Barnabé Benin Nkansah-Obrempong, James Ghana
Bediako, Kwame Ghana Nsiku, Edouard Kitoko Congo
Bitrus, Daniel Nigeria Nwankpa, Emeka Nigeria
Boniface-Malle, Anastasia Tanzania Obed, Uzodinma Nigeria
Carew, M. Douglas Sierra Leone Oginde, David Kenya
Chianeque, Luciano C. Angola Okaalet, Peter Uganda
Chingota, Felix Lack Malawi Okorocha, Cyril C. Nigeria
Choge, Emily J. Kenya Okorocha, Eunice Iheoma Nigeria
Cole, Victor Babajide Nigeria Ouédraogo, Adama Burkina Faso
Coulibaly, Issiaka Ivory Coast Phiri, Isabel Apawo Malawi
Datiri, Dachollom C. Nigeria Pohor, Rubin Ivory Coast
Dembele, Youssouf Mali Reggy-Mamo, Mae Alice African-American
Famonure, Bayo Nigeria Semenye, Lois Mvuli Kenya
Gacece, Solomon Kenya Simfukwe, Joe M. Zambia
Githuka, Elias M. Kenya Soungalo, Soro Ivory Coast
Gotom, Musa Nigeria Turaki, Yusufu Nigeria
Habtu, Tewoldemedhin Eritrea Weanzana, Nupanga Congo
Isaak, Paul John Namibia Yilpet, Yoilah Nigeria
Kantiok, James B Nigeria
Kapolyo, Joe M Zambia

5
vi ARTICLES
ARTICLES Power and Accountability Remi Lawanson 1047
Prayer Bonifes Adoyo 1186
Angels, Demons and Powers Priesthood in the Bible Felix Chingota 191
James Nkansah-Obrempong 1454 Principles of Interpretation Samuel Ngewa 1103
Authority and the Bible Patrick M. Musibi, 79 Prophets and Apostles Adama Ouedraogo 1434
Bible Translation in Africa Aloo Osotsi Mojola 1315 Rape Isabel Apawo Phiri 393
Blood Victor Babajide Cole 139 Refugees Celestin Musekura 321
Christians and Politics James B. Kantiok 1001 Religious Pluralism Tokunboh Adeyemo 1532
Christians and the Environment George Kinoti 616 Reward and Retribution Luciano C. Chianeque 851
Christian Education in Africa Lois Semenye 1480 Scripture as the Interpreter of Culture and Tradition
Conflict Management Tokunboh Adeyemo 551 Kwame Bediako 3
Cultural Issues and the Biblical Message Secularism and Materialism Yusufu Turaki 791
Eunice Okorocha 1467 Slavery Rubin Pohor 89
Debt Stephen Adei 779 Street Children Solomon Gacece 1240
Democracy Yusufu Turaki 785 Suffering Issiaka Coulibaly 585
Discipleship Tokunboh Adeyemo 1223 Syncretism Lawrence Lasisi 900
Dreams Tokunboh Adeyemo 993 Taboos Ernestina Afriyie 159
Faith And The Search For Signs Adama Ouedraogo 303 Theological Heresy James Nkansah-Obrempong 1553
Family and Community Soro Soungalo 1178 The Ancient Near East M. Douglas Carew 217
Favouritism Soro Soungalo 1511 The Bible Yusufu Turaki 724
Female Genital Mutilation Sicily Mbura Muriithi 37 The Bible and Polygamy Isabel Apawo Phiri 429
Funeral and Burial Rites Joe Simfukwe 1462 The Church and the State Yusufu Turaki 1371
Generosity and Solidarity Solomon Andria 231 The Intertestamental Period Samuel Ngewa 1099
Healing Kingsley Larbi 447 The Place of Traditional Sacrifices Samuel Ngewa 1502
History of Israel Tewoldemedhin Habtu 207 The Role of the Ancestors Yusufu Turaki 480
HIV and AIDS Peter Okaalet 667 The Role of Women in the Church
Homosexuality Yusufu Turaki 1355 Nyambura J. Njoroge 1471
Hospitality Emily J. Choge 390 Tribalism, Ethnicity and Race Rubin Pohor 316
House Fellowship Uzodinma Obed 1336 Truth, Justice, Reconciliation and Peace
Ideas of Salvation in Other Religions Yusufu Turaki 875
Tokunboh Adeyemo 1353 Unity of Believers Kuzuli Kossé 1288
Indigenous Missions Bayo Famonure 1348 Violence Yusufu Turaki 1043
Initiation Rites Judith A. Milasi 101 War Robert Aboagye-Mensah 967
Idolatry Emeka Nwankpa 840 Wealth and Poverty Stephen Adei 762
Intertestamental Period Samuel Ngewa 1099 Weddings and Lobola Isabel Apawo Phiri 799
Introduction to the Pentateuch Abel Ndjerareou 7 What Is the Church? Samuel Ngewa 1431
Introduction to the Prophets Yoilah Yilpet 805 Widows and Orphans Mae Alice Reggy-Mamo 817
Introduction to the Wisdom Literature Widow Inheritance Mae Alice Reggy-Mamo 323
Tewoldemedhin Habtu 569 Witchcraft Samuel Waje Kunhiyop 374
Jews and Gentiles David Oginde 82 Worship and Praise Tokunboh Adeyemo 251
Land Yahweh and Other Gods Abel Ndjerareou 861
Dwight S.M. Mutonono and Makoto L. Mautsa 290
Leadership
Legalism
Tokunboh Adeyemo
Samuel Ngewa
546
1421
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Life and Doctrine Samuel Ngewa 1444 Glossary 1581
Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage Samuel Ngewa 1149 Kings of Israel and Judah 412
New Family Relationships Soro Soungalo 12 Prophets to Israel and Judah 807
Persecution Elias M. Githuka 1564 Some Web Resources 1586

6
 SCRIPTURE AS THE INTERPRETER OF CULTURE AND TRADITION
The Africa Bible Commentary attempts to relate the Scriptures points us in the direction we are to take if we are to reach our
and African cultures and in so doing to seek ways in which destination. This understanding is one that the early preachers
the gospel may be seen to be relevant to African cultures. of the gospel stressed when they so often used the phrase
As we do this, we as readers and as writers need to avoid ‘according to the Scriptures’. Paul reminds Timothy of the
oversimplifications about the nature of this relationship. guiding role of Scripture (2 Tim 3:16). He demonstrates its
use when he recounts part of the history of the Israelites and
What Is Culture? concludes, ‘These things happened to them as examples and
Culture comprises far more than just music, dance, artefacts were written down as warnings for us’ (1 Cor 10:1-11).
and the like. Our culture is our world view, that is, fundamental Too often, preachers tend to pick a particular text and
to our understanding of who we are, where we have come use it as a launch pad for presenting their own ideas, but
from and where we are going. It is everything in us and around apostolic preaching was not like that. It presented the
us that defines us and shapes us. When we turn to Christ as meaning of Scripture as a whole and applied that meaning to
Lord, we are turning over to him all that is in us, all that is the concrete cultural and social situation of the hearers. That
about us and all that is around us that has defined and shaped is what we have to do if Scripture is to be the road map for
us. Thus salvation encompasses not just our ‘souls’, but also getting us to our destination.
our culture at its deepest level. We need to allow Scripture to
become the interpreter of who we are in the specific concrete Scripture Is Our History
sense of who we are in our cultures and traditions. All the references to Scripture in the New Testament relate
to the Old Testament, although the majority of those
What Is Scripture? addressed would have been Gentiles, who did not share the
But acknowledging the centrality of Scripture to our identity Jews’ cultural background. Yet, Paul refers to ‘our forefathers’
does not mean that we demonize our own traditional culture when speaking to Gentile Corinthians (1 Cor 10:1). Israel’s
or learn to quote certain verses and chapters as proof texts history had become their ‘adoptive’ history, for all believers
to support particular positions we hold because of our in Christ become children of Abraham (Gal 3:26-29) and are
denominational or traditional background. The centrality grafted into the original olive tree (Rom 11:7-20). And all
of Scripture is more fundamental and its significance much believers were slaves who have been set free (Gal 4:7). All of
larger than that. us have been adopted into Christ, with our traditions, and are
therefore transformed, with our traditions. The God of Israel is
Scripture Is a Prism not a tribal God but the God who created all humanity.
When light passes through a prism, a rainbow of colours
is revealed. Similarly, when our cultures pass through the Scripture Is the Basis of Our Identity
prism of Scripture, we see them in a new way. The light and The earliest church was tempted to see Gentile Christians as
shade intrinsic to our cultures are revealed. We are no longer second-class Jews, latecomers. But at the Council of Jerusalem
being defined by our traditions, but are allowing Scripture to (Acts 15) the apostles recognized that God was doing
interpret those traditions. something new. Paul makes the same point when he writes
as if there are now three categories of persons: Jews, Gentiles
Scripture Is a Record of God’s Engagement with Culture and something new, called the church of God (1 Cor 10:32;
Scripture is more than just a record of the history and religion 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 2:14-18).
of Israel and the early church. Rather, it records God’s dealings In the early decades of the church, some Christian writers
with his people and with their culture, and is itself the fruit spoke of Christians as a third race. The first race was the Jews;
of that engagement. It thus provides a yardstick or a model the second, the Gentiles; and the third was the Christians. The
for encouraging, identifying and controlling all subsequent basis of this new identity was religious, not ethnic, national,
engagements of gospel and culture in the continuing social or cultural in the narrow sense. We have become ‘a
divine-human encounter that characterizes our faith. kingdom of priests to serve God and his father’ (Rev 1:5-6;
1 Pet 2:9-10).
Scripture Is a Road Map
Scripture is the authoritative road map on our journey of Scripture Is Our Story
faith, a journey that began before we first believed in Christ. Scripture is not just a holy book from which we extract
This road map reminds us that the journey we are on did teaching and biblical principles. Rather, it is a story in which
not begin at the point when we ourselves received the map. we participate. When David Livingstone preached in Africa in
By looking at the map in Scripture, we can see where we the nineteenth century, he is said to have always referred to
have come from and how we got to where we are. It also the Bible as the ‘message from the God whom you know’. In

7
4

other words, Scripture speaks to us because Scripture speaks by nothing less than Christ himself Natural Adaptive
about us. And it speaks about us because we are a part of the (Eph 4:13).
gospel we preach. Paul was very aware of this. He emphasized Scripture and culture are like
that God had had mercy on him, and now he was called to merging circles, gradually coming to
preach to others (1 Cor 15:8-11). have one centre as we increasingly
Africans have a strong sense of their pre-Christian religious recognize ourselves in Scripture and
journey and should be alive to this participation in Scripture. Scripture becomes more and more
This was certainly true of the Liberian prophet William Wadé recognizable as our story.
Harris (1865-1929). He was the first distinctive African The process of bringing the gospel
Christian prophet of modern times, and a man who brought and culture together takes more than one
many people into the church. Harris cut himself off from his generation. To look for a once and for all
Grebo life and family in a radical conversion, but he did not biblical ‘answer’ to a particular cultural
live without ancestors or a community. He simply changed problem is to misunderstand the process
his family connections to those based on faith in Christ as whereby a community and people come
known through the Scriptures. His was a spirituality of vital to see themselves as called into the people
participation totally indigenous to his African way of being of God and come to participate in that
within a community. He did not think in terms of what Moses community.
saw or Jesus did in the Bible, but of how his new ancestors, The process takes several generations, both ancient
Moses, Elijah, and supremely Jesus Christ, interacted with and modern. All the endeavours of believers from many
him. That was how he broke through to many people and backgrounds wrestling with gospel and culture are an
they became Christians. integral part of our story. To fully understand the impact of
In African culture, participation in a common life constitutes the gospel engaging with any particular cultural environment
community and marks out an ethnic group. When a libation is we need to know of the struggle of ancient Israel to come to
poured, the community recites the names of all those who are terms with the uniqueness and the majesty of Yahweh, their
absent, treating them as present. Traditional believers summon backslidings, apostasy, calamity, tragedy and triumphs. We
their ancestors, and they believe that these ancestors are also need to know how African earth shrines relate to God’s
present at the ceremony that follows. (Do we have a similar way. We need to know how the gospel was brought from
confidence that Jesus is present when we pray?) Alexandria to Axum, how it was taken from Ireland to the
In Christian terms, we participate in Christ, and thus English, how it was taken from south-eastern Ghana to the
also in the resources and powers of the entire community Upper East Region. No part of the story of the people of God
composed of those who are also one with Christ through the is alien to any other part of the story or is more important
Spirit. This community includes both the living and the dead than any other part. The gospel has no permanent resident
(Luke 20:33-38). It is a transcendent community in which the culture. It is as we take the experiences and the struggle in
human components experience and share in the divine life one context and funnel them through our own reading and
and nature (2 Pet 1:4). experience of the Scripture in our mother tongue that we find
that other Christian stories illuminate our story.
Bringing Scripture and Culture Together
We should not focus on extracting principles from the Bible Scripture, Language and Culture
and applying these to culture. Scripture is not a book existing Mother-tongue Scripture has a fundamental place in the
independently of us. Scripture is the living testimony to engagement of gospel and culture. If people recognize that
what God has done and continues to do, and we are part Onyankopon (as God is called by the Akan of Ghana), the
of that testimony. The characters in Scripture are both our God they have known from time immemorial, is their Saviour,
contemporaries and our ancestors. Their triumphs and failures and that the coming of the gospel is what they have looked
help us understand our own journey of faith (Rom 11:18). forward to, then God is continuing to ensure that they will
Scripture is not something we only believe in, it is something hear him each in their own language so that they can marvel
we share in. This is why the people in the Bible will not be at his majesty and his love for them. Our mother tongue is
made perfect without us (Heb 11:40), nor we without them. the language in which God speaks to each of us. He does
The application of Scripture to our cultures is a gradual not speak in a sacred language, but in ordinary language, so
process of coming together, of life touching life. Our particular that we may hear him and realize that this gospel is about us
culture encounters the activity of God in building up a and that we have been invited to join a company drawn from
community of his people throughout history, a community every people, tribe, tongue, nation and language (Rev 7:9).
that now includes us and our particular traditions, history Kwame Bediako
and culture. We will gradually come to share in a family (Adapted from Kwame Bediako, ‘Scripture as the Hermeneutic of Culture and Tradition’,
likeness that is not measured by ethnic particularity but Journal of African Christian Thought, Vol. 4, No. 1 [June 2001], pp. 2-11.)

8
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THEYWEREGUILTYOFBREAKINGTHEWHOLELAW  

12
 *AMES n 

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ITSELFSETABLAZEBYHELL4HISTRANSLATIONISALSOFAITHFULTOTHE

13
 *AMES n

 #ONFLICTSAND3IN #ONFLICTSARETHEMANIFESTATIONSOFSUBTLESINSSUCHAS

*AMESHASADDRESSEDSEVERALPROBLEMSAMONGTHE*EWISH DESIRESORPLEASURESNOURISHEDINTHEHEART4HEYAREALSO
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ANDTHEIRBEHAVIOURISSELF CENTRED4HEYTHINKONLYOFTHEM WHICHAREUNDERTHEPOWEROFTHEDEVILANDTODRAWNEAR
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14
 *AMES n 

 4HE*UDGMENTOFTHE2ICH CONCERNSHOWNBYTHOSEWITHDIVIDEDHEARTSWHOSAYTHAT

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15
 *AMES n

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16
“A PUBLISHING LANDMARK . . . ” — John R. Stott

T he Africa Bible Commentary is a unique

publishing event—the first one-volume Bible
commentary produced in Africa by African
theologians to meet the needs of African pastors,
students, and lay leaders. Interpreting and applying the
“This monumental work of biblical scholarship is filled
with helpful insights into God’s Word that every pastor,
Bible teacher, and Christian will benefit from. We’ve
needed this commentary for a long, long time!”
Bible in the light of African cultures and realities today, Rick Warren
it furnishes powerful and relevant insights into the Pastor, Saddleback Church
biblical texts that transcend Africa in their significance. Author, The Purpose Driven® Life
The Africa Bible Commentary gives a section-by-
“A publishing landmark … Its foundation is biblical, its
section interpretation that provides a contextual, readable,
perspective African, and its approach to controversial
affordable, and immensely useful guide to the entire
questions balanced. I intend to use it myself in order to
Bible. Readers around the world will benefit from
gain African insights into the Word of God. Indeed, I hope
and appreciate the commentary’s fresh insights and
it will have a worldwide readership.”
direct style that engage both heart and mind.
—John R. Stott, from the Foreword
KEY FEATURES
“A rich and valuable contribution to biblical knowledge
• Produced by African biblical scholars, and understanding. I commend it to Christian leaders,
in Africa, for Africa—and the world not only in Africa but the world over.”
• Section-by-section interpretive com- —Justice James Ogenyi Ogebe,
mentary and application High Court, Nigeria

• More than 70 special articles deal- “A good and readable blend of excellent scholarship,
ing with topics of key impor- heartwarming spirituality, and relevant application. It
tance to ministry in Africa challenges African Christianity, and wider, to a neces-
today, but that have global sary commitment of heart, mind, and will. Its target
implications audience and the wider church will find it to be a useful
• 70 African contributors from treasure.”
both English- and French- —Dr. Douglas Carew, vice chancellor, Nairobi
speaking countries Evangelical Graduate School of Theology
• Transcends the African context
“This outstanding volume is a landmark for African
with insights into the biblical text
Christianity. Wherever the Bible is loved and read, this
and the Christian faith for readers
volume will enhance people’s understanding and appli-
worldwide
cation of it.”
—Dr. Christopher J. H. Wright, international director,
GENERAL EDITOR
Langham Partnership International
DR. TOKUNBOH ADEYEMO is the
executive director of the Centre for Biblical
Transformation, having served previously as general
secretary for the Association of Evangelicals in Africa. He
received his ThD from Dallas Theological Seminary and his
PhD from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

ISBN 0-310-27407-9