Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 32:1 (Oct 2021)
Article: Jesus, Our Liberator: An Intercultural Dialogue
Author: Elizabeth Mburu

Conspectus 32:1 (October 2021) p. 58

Jesus, Our Liberator: An Intercultural Dialogue

Elizabeth Mburu

Langham; Pan Africa Christian University; North-West University

About The Author

Prof. Elizabeth Mburu (Liz) is the Regional Coordinator of Langham Literature in Africa. She is an Associate Professor of New Testament and Greek and teaches part-time at Pan Africa Christian University, Kenya and is an extraordinary researcher at Northwest University’s Faculty of Theology (Subgroup: African Spiritualities and Leadership), Mahikeng, SA. She completed her PhD in New Testament at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, NC. She is the author of Qumran and the Origins of Johannine Language and Symbolism, African Hermeneutics, several chapters in various books, and numerous articles. She is currently on the Africa Bible Commentary Board as the NT editor, chairperson of the Africa Society of Evangelical Theology, and co-convenor of the Africa Baptist Theological Education Network. [email protected]

This article: https://www.sats.ac.za/jesus-our-liberator

Abstract

Do contextual readings have value? And by contextual is meant re-readings of the text that take into account the contextual situatedness of the reader. With advances in the study of hermeneutics, there is the recognition of the two-sided nature of historical conditioning. While the text stands in a given historical context and tradition, so does the interpreter, and the two are in constant engagement. In addition, the Christian faith is a multi-dimensional faith. Christological studies have, understandably, used Western categories. The question is, given multidimensionality, might there be other categories that better speak to us in our contextual and historical situatedness? This paper shows that an intercultural approach to the gospel of John will uncover facets of the Johannine Jesus that may not be immediately evident to Western readers. It begins with a brief introduction to how the Bible is read in Africa. This is followed by an overview of African Christologies to establish the current views. It is proposed that the view of Jesus as liberator best captures who the Johannine Jesus is in an African context. In order to arrive at this conclusion, an African intercultural hermeneutic will be applied to the text of John 8:31–47. It is hoped that such an approach will provide a more holistic understanding of Christology for African believers as well as complement existing Christologies.

Keywords

contextual, Christology, intercultural hermeneutics, four-legged stool, Johannine Jesus

1. Introduction

Do contextual readings have value? With a...