Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 35:1 (Apr 2023)
Article: Theologizing In Africa: With Special Reference To Bible Translation In Chichewa
Author: Ernst R. Wendland

Conspectus 35:1 (April 2023) p. 7

Theologizing In Africa: With Special Reference To Bible Translation In Chichewa

Ernst R. Wendland

Stellenbosch University

About The Author

Prof. Ernst Wendland has a Ph.D. in African Languages and Literature from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. A former instructor at Lusaka Lutheran Seminary (1968–2022) and a United Bible Societies Translation Consultant in Zambia, he currently serves as a thesis supervisor at SATS and several other academic institutions. His research interests include various aspects of Bible translation as well as structural, stylistic, poetic, and rhetorical studies in biblical texts and the Bantu languages of South-East Africa. [email protected]

This article: https://www.sats.ac.za/conspectus/theologizing-africa-bible-translation-chichewa https://doi.org/10.54725/conspectus.2023.1.1

Abstract

To “theologize,” that is, to engage in theological reasoning and exposition when composing oral, written, or multimodal discourse, has been applied continually in Africa ever since the Bible was first introduced to this continent. Whenever God’s Word is conveyed in another language and cultural setting, the existential theological barrier must be broken as important scriptural notions and entire propositions must inevitably be reconceptualized semantically and frequently also reconfigured grammatically to be communicated. The focus of the present paper is the crucial activity of Bible translation and the various ways in which those involved in such a multifaceted endeavor always engage in theologizing, to one degree or another, while carrying out their work. This article focuses specifically on the New Testament Study Bible in Chichewa (2017 Bible Society of Malawi). The importance of preparing such locally contextualized, scripturally accurate, and linguistically idiomatic study Bibles is demonstrated through manifold exemplification to be an indispensable means of ensuring the theological vitality and dynamic growth of the Church in Africa.

Keywords

vernacular theologizing, contextualization, Bible translation, study Bibles, Chichewa, Malawi

1. Historical Overview: The Chichewa Study Bible Project (Csbp)

This overview will briefly touch upon the history, purpose, and methodology of the CSBP. Two primary aspects are then discussed in greater detail and illustrated. The first aspect is the translated text itself with respect to form and content. The second aspect is the paratext that complements the translation with explanatory, illustrative, or descriptive notes. These

Conspectus 35:1 (April 2023) p. 8

include footnotes, maps and illustrat...