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Introduction Introduction T his book introduces students to the study of Biblical studies, theology, religion and philosophy from an African perspective. It has been written by scholars with great international reputations and with many years’ experience in teaching and research at reputable international universities. It is, therefore, an excellent and indispensable tool for learning and will become a companion for life. The book comprises twenty six chapters divided into four sections. The first section deals with Biblical studies, the second with theology, the third with religion and the fourth with philosophy. In chapter one, Johanna Stiebert introduces students to Biblical interpretation. She begins by noting that Biblical criticism was once almost entirely the preserve of university-educated, white, western males and that most interpreters were Christians. Nowadays however, many more voices, of those once absent or marginalized, have actively joined in the interpretation of Biblical texts. Among these are people from other religious traditions or none, as well as interpreters who are women, or black, or from non-western nations, or homosexual, or with HIV/AIDS or with experience of HIV/AIDS—to name just a few! She notes that Biblical criticism is now a more varied and vibrant discipline and comments that voices from Africa add considerably to this diversity. The author also observes that there has been a shift in Biblical interpretation towards subjectivity. Whilst in the past the emphasis was on the text of the Bible, nowadays it is on the interpreter of the text. In chapter two, Lovemore Togarasei provides an overview of the Hebrew Bible. This chapter is divided into seven sections. The first gives the geographical, historical, cultural and religious background of the books of the Old Testament. The second looks at the origins of the canon of the Hebrew Bible. The third is a survey of the main themes in the books of Law. The fourth focuses on the books of History, highlighting the emergence of Israel as a nation. The fifth is a discussion of the Writings. The sixth introduces the books of the Prophets. Section seven looks at the close of the Old Testament followed by a conclusion to the chapter. An attempt is made throughout this chapter to survey the Old Testament with an African eye. This means reading the books contextually, highlighting how the books have been and continue to be used to shapeAfrican lives.This is particularly appropriate because Christianity is fast becoming anAfrican religion. In the third chapter, Masego Kanis and Lovemore Togarasei focus on the major themes in the Old Testament. These are derived from a careful analysis of events that had an impact on the history and lives of the Israelites. The authors approach the Old Biblical Studies, Theology, Religion, and Philosophy Testament as the story of the salvation brought to the Israelites by God. In its books the Israelites expressed their understanding of who God is, what he had done in their lives and what they ought to do as his chosen people. The pattern of the identified themes is this: God continually desires a relationship with his chosen people through the covenant he has made with them, whereas they, in their quest to find their own place in a world rife with pagan practices, frequently walk away from the covenantal agreement. In chapter four, Lovemore Togarasei introduces students to the different ways of studying the New Testament (NT). The first way is the synthetic approach, where one takes an overview of the whole New Testament in order to understand its overall message. The second is the analytic approach where one makes an in-depth analysis of the verses that make up the books of the NT. The third is the thematic approach where one focuses on the various themes of the NT. He notes that there are, in addition, other methods of reading the NT. As this chapter is mainly meant for those beginning NT studies, Togarasei recommends the synthetic approach. He considers that it enables the beginner to grasp the whole picture of NT studies, thereby providing the stepping-stones for further studies. The chapter is divided into five sections. The first section discusses the meaning and origin of the NT. It is followed in the second section by a discussion of the four gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The third section focuses on the Pauline letters and is followed in the fourth section by a discussion of the non-Pauline/general letters. The final section discusses the apocalyptic book...

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