I have spent the majority of the last five months writing, editing and revising a book that will be published this summer. The book is a Contextual Bible Study Manual created to foster discussion about the issues causing conflict in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa. The text offers the perspectives of ten theologians on biblical passages dealing with disputes about ethnicity, politics, land and religion. The aim of this study is to empower the church to further address the complicated issues of reconciliation in local communities. Participants will hopefully experience healing while facing difficult issues in a spiritually focused, group setting.
- Nzumari African Art, a group of Kenyan young adults, uses puppetry to communicate a message of peace.
Our team of male and female contributors represent specific countries and a variety of contexts from Africa and North America. Among the contributors are Archbishop Valentine Mokiwa (The President of the All African Conference of Churches), Dr. Mercy Oduyoye (Former Deputy General Secretary of the World Council of Churches and Founder of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians), Dr. Dale Andrews (Boston University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Chair of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology). In addition, the book highlights the stories of “ordinary people” who lead extraordinary efforts of reconciliation within their communities. I was informed recently, that former Nobel Peace Prize Winner Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu (above, right photo) endorsed the project and will right the Foreword for the book.
The text invites its readers to explore biblical narratives that shape the Christian faith tradition and to relate the biblical characters to one’s personal life. In other words, the readers interpret the text within their own context, cultural background, and life experiences, all with the aim of achieving personal and societal transformation.
Putting the Bible study together makes me feel like I can contribute to change in the world in some small way. The realization is humbling. Most importantly, this project reminds me that God is able to do “exceedingly more than we can ever hope for or imagine.”
Posted on June 29th, 2009 by Shelvis
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