Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 37:1 (Apr 2024)
Article: Which Way To "Shalom"? A Theological Exploration Of The Yoruba And Western Foundations For Ethics And Development
Author: Wole Adegbile

Conspectus 37:1 (April 2024) p. 84

Which Way To Shalom? A Theological Exploration Of The Yoruba And Western Foundations For Ethics And Development

Wole Adegbile

Africa College of Theology

About The Author

Dr. Wole Adegbile was born in Nigeria and currently resides in Rwanda. He holds a Ph.D. in Theology and Development and serves as senior lecturer and director of quality assurance at Africa College of Theology, Kigali, Rwanda. He also teaches at Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya, and serves as an adjunct faculty and examiner in other higher learning institutions in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda. He previously served as a pastor at Grace Baptist Church Meiran, Lagos, Nigeria, and Jesus Glory Centre Ministries Thogoto, Kenya. E-mail: [email protected]

This article: https://www.sats.ac.za/conspectus/shalom-theological-exploration https://doi.org/10.54725/conspectus.2024.1.6

Abstract

The biblical concept of shalom is a state worthy of pursuit. This article is a theological exploration of the Yoruba and the Western (humanist) ethical foundations for development. The research uses a comparative technique to examine the parallels and differences between the biblical idea of shalom and the Yoruba and Western views on ethics and well-being. Yoruba proverbs and popular sayings are used as crucial components to elicit traditional ideas on morality and well- being. To identify the Western view on ethics and well- being, the study investigates the initiatives and objectives of transnational organizations. The study finds that the Yoruba idea of àlàáfíà (peace), which is also a pursuit of morality and well-being, is more closely aligned with the biblical concept of shalom than the Western view.

Keywords

Ethics, development, Shalom, humanism, Yoruba

Conspectus 37:1 (April 2024) p. 85

1. Introduction

The development of a society is always tied to people’s commitment to what is right and good. Schweiker (2004, 199) puts it succinctly when he writes: “Despite the radical differences among moral systems and communities, human well-being was always in some way intrinsic to a concept of the higher good and the ideas about moral obligation.” Therefore, ethics and well-being always go together.

This study explores the connection between the African traditional pursuit of ethics and development and the biblical pursuit of the same. The aim is to propose a biblically-rooted view of ethics and well-being for Africa that can serve as a contextual theology for African Christians to live authentic Christian lives culturally true to the Scriptures in matters related to morality and develop...