Interpretation of a text can either justify power relations and subordination or become a tool fo... more Interpretation of a text can either justify power relations and subordination or become a tool for empowerment. While some explain that the speaker is admitting a unique quality in Song 1:5, others think it is an affirmation of identity. This paper presents the views of young Ghanaian girls in two Senior High Schools. A contextual reading of the Song of Songs 1.5–17 is used to present strategies for self-empowerment, confidence, and creativity. Drawing from Africa Agenda 2063, it proposes ways to clarify beliefs about oneself and empower young people to tell their stories about their bodies. When Africans read the Bible, they also look for ways for redefining, rethinking, and re-living in an African community so that they can express their identity better.
This paper proposes that intuitive divination is an essential trait of charismatic political lead... more This paper proposes that intuitive divination is an essential trait of charismatic political leadership. It argues that both Charismatic leadership and intuitive divination are expressed within divine calling, extraordinary acting, deliberation, and persuasive speech, and that they all engage the principles of intelligence, manipulative speech, and sacrifice to capture the commitment of followers and influence them to take an action. It looks at the relevance of such a proposition in David’s actions toward the accession of Solomon to the throne in 1 Chronicles 29:1-25 and some Charismatic leaders in Ghana. Such common characteristics highlight the complex roles and definitions of leadership.
COVID-19 has, like other crises, thrown into relief social injustices and gendered inequalities. ... more COVID-19 has, like other crises, thrown into relief social injustices and gendered inequalities. BiAS 31/ ERA 8 offers theological responses to and reflections on the COVID-19 outbreak and pandemic. All are by African scholars and authors; some are academic, some experiential, and others creative or impressionistic in tone. Reflecting the ethos and commitment of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians (“The Circle”) to nurture and promote the publications by and about African women and men committed to social justice and positive change, this issue contains the writings of some established but, predominantly, of emerging theologians. For some contributors, this is their first publication in an international series.
Climate change and its global impact on all people, especially the marginalized communities, is w... more Climate change and its global impact on all people, especially the marginalized communities, is widely recognized as the biggest crisis of our time. It is a context that invites all subjects and disciplines to bring their resources in diagnosing the problem and seeking the healing of the Earth. The African continent, especially its women, constitute the subalterns of global climate crisis. Can they speak? If they speak, can they be heard? Both the Earth and the Africa have been identified with the adjective “Mother.” This gender identity tells tales in patriarchal and imperial worlds that use the female gender to signal legitimation of oppression and exploitation. In this volume, African women theologians and their female-identifying colleagues, struggle with reading and interpreting religious texts in the context of environmental crisis that are threatening life on Earth. The chapters interrogate how biblical texts and African cultural resources imagine the Earth and our relationsh...
African Christianity takes the challenges from their enemies and the evil forces seriously. There... more African Christianity takes the challenges from their enemies and the evil forces seriously. There is hardly a call to love the enemy. Moreover, it is about destroying physical or spiritual beings that oppose one's wellbeing. In the African Pentecostal/Charismatic ministries, one finds pastors and prophets who are cursing their colleagues openly. This essay reflects on the cursing prayers of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, the founder and Presiding Bishop of Lighthouse Chapel International, and Pastor Kelvin Elson Godson, founder of Zoe Outreach Embassy, Ogbodjo, Accra to explore their religious, ethical, and cultural justifications in contemporary neo-Charismatic ministries in Ghana in light of the African religious and cultural values. It uses the African cultural hermeneutics and paradigmatic approach in biblical ethics to show why the Akan of Ghana do not allow leaders of society to curse others. It shows that it is not only the motive and intention of the one at prayer but also the...
This paper proposes that the communicative function of Psalm 86:17 is about making the petitioner... more This paper proposes that the communicative function of Psalm 86:17 is about making the petitioner a sign that aims at transforming his enemies, bringing them to self-knowledge, and making them acknowledge the power of God through shaming. The approach for such a reading is rhetorical criticism, a method that goes beyond stylistics to the meaning being communicated, and how persuasive the argument is. The paper argues that shame in this context is the kind of disgrace that is painful and disorienting, and paves the way for a new orientation that influences good social relationship. The psalmist was not praying to God to simply show him a visible sign but to give him a sign that can make the enemies come to self-knowledge about who God is and what God has done in the life of the psalmist. Such prayer, by analogy, calls the Christian church to pray for a portent sign that will cause the enemies of the church to be put to shame in order to influence them to come to self-knowledge of God...
This paper proposes that intuitive divination is an essential trait of charismatic political lead... more This paper proposes that intuitive divination is an essential trait of charismatic political leadership. It argues that both Charismatic leadership and intuitive divination are expressed within divine calling, extraordinary acting, deliberation, and persuasive speech, and that they all engage the principles of intelligence, manipulative speech, and sacrifice to capture the commitment of followers and influence them to take an action. It looks at the relevance of such a proposition in David’s actions toward the accession of Solomon to the throne in 1 Chronicles 29:1-25 and some Charismatic leaders in Ghana. Such common characteristics highlight the complex roles and definitions of leadership.
This paper argues that spiritual leadership is a unique model, where followers as well as leaders... more This paper argues that spiritual leadership is a unique model, where followers as well as leaders become connected and committed to the group’s wellbeing through a Spirit-filled way of living for positive transformation. The theories on spiritual leadership, thus, should not only be on functional leaders but also on followers who provide an essential motivation to rediscover life-filled pathways that are fulfilling for the group. In this light, the follower who identifies a need, bonds to it, and shares the burden to fulfil the need qualifies to be a spiritual leader. Such a person is one who is empowered by the Holy Spirit to become connected and committed to the network to drive the goals of the organization and initiate moves for positive transformation. The paper uses a narrative critical reading of Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1:1–28 to support the argument that some followers play key roles as spiritual leaders.
Many have come to associate discipleship process in the church with Bible studies. As such, preac... more Many have come to associate discipleship process in the church with Bible studies. As such, preachers pay little attention to disciple-making in their delivery with the assumption that preaching time is not the time to build up disciples. Some preachers are also affected by postmodernism, capitalism, and secularization-individualism and as such want to project themselves only and think about what they can get. They forget that biblical leadership is about building others and developing other people’s faith in Jesus Christ so that they grow to maturity. Preachers who do not see the need to build others and overlook committing the word to them cannot be ideal leaders of the church. Bearing in mind that the key role of the pastor is preaching, this paper emphasizes the role of the preacher in disciple-making. It argues that for effective disciple-making, the preacher must intentionally aim at committing the message to others who have the capacity to teach others too in order to have a ...
Interpretation of a text can either justify power relations and subordination or become a tool fo... more Interpretation of a text can either justify power relations and subordination or become a tool for empowerment. While some explain that the speaker is admitting a unique quality in Song 1:5, others think it is an affirmation of identity. This paper presents the views of young Ghanaian girls in two Senior High Schools. A contextual reading of the Song of Songs 1.5–17 is used to present strategies for self-empowerment, confidence, and creativity. Drawing from Africa Agenda 2063, it proposes ways to clarify beliefs about oneself and empower young people to tell their stories about their bodies. When Africans read the Bible, they also look for ways for redefining, rethinking, and re-living in an African community so that they can express their identity better.
This paper proposes that intuitive divination is an essential trait of charismatic political lead... more This paper proposes that intuitive divination is an essential trait of charismatic political leadership. It argues that both Charismatic leadership and intuitive divination are expressed within divine calling, extraordinary acting, deliberation, and persuasive speech, and that they all engage the principles of intelligence, manipulative speech, and sacrifice to capture the commitment of followers and influence them to take an action. It looks at the relevance of such a proposition in David’s actions toward the accession of Solomon to the throne in 1 Chronicles 29:1-25 and some Charismatic leaders in Ghana. Such common characteristics highlight the complex roles and definitions of leadership.
COVID-19 has, like other crises, thrown into relief social injustices and gendered inequalities. ... more COVID-19 has, like other crises, thrown into relief social injustices and gendered inequalities. BiAS 31/ ERA 8 offers theological responses to and reflections on the COVID-19 outbreak and pandemic. All are by African scholars and authors; some are academic, some experiential, and others creative or impressionistic in tone. Reflecting the ethos and commitment of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians (“The Circle”) to nurture and promote the publications by and about African women and men committed to social justice and positive change, this issue contains the writings of some established but, predominantly, of emerging theologians. For some contributors, this is their first publication in an international series.
Climate change and its global impact on all people, especially the marginalized communities, is w... more Climate change and its global impact on all people, especially the marginalized communities, is widely recognized as the biggest crisis of our time. It is a context that invites all subjects and disciplines to bring their resources in diagnosing the problem and seeking the healing of the Earth. The African continent, especially its women, constitute the subalterns of global climate crisis. Can they speak? If they speak, can they be heard? Both the Earth and the Africa have been identified with the adjective “Mother.” This gender identity tells tales in patriarchal and imperial worlds that use the female gender to signal legitimation of oppression and exploitation. In this volume, African women theologians and their female-identifying colleagues, struggle with reading and interpreting religious texts in the context of environmental crisis that are threatening life on Earth. The chapters interrogate how biblical texts and African cultural resources imagine the Earth and our relationsh...
African Christianity takes the challenges from their enemies and the evil forces seriously. There... more African Christianity takes the challenges from their enemies and the evil forces seriously. There is hardly a call to love the enemy. Moreover, it is about destroying physical or spiritual beings that oppose one's wellbeing. In the African Pentecostal/Charismatic ministries, one finds pastors and prophets who are cursing their colleagues openly. This essay reflects on the cursing prayers of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, the founder and Presiding Bishop of Lighthouse Chapel International, and Pastor Kelvin Elson Godson, founder of Zoe Outreach Embassy, Ogbodjo, Accra to explore their religious, ethical, and cultural justifications in contemporary neo-Charismatic ministries in Ghana in light of the African religious and cultural values. It uses the African cultural hermeneutics and paradigmatic approach in biblical ethics to show why the Akan of Ghana do not allow leaders of society to curse others. It shows that it is not only the motive and intention of the one at prayer but also the...
This paper proposes that the communicative function of Psalm 86:17 is about making the petitioner... more This paper proposes that the communicative function of Psalm 86:17 is about making the petitioner a sign that aims at transforming his enemies, bringing them to self-knowledge, and making them acknowledge the power of God through shaming. The approach for such a reading is rhetorical criticism, a method that goes beyond stylistics to the meaning being communicated, and how persuasive the argument is. The paper argues that shame in this context is the kind of disgrace that is painful and disorienting, and paves the way for a new orientation that influences good social relationship. The psalmist was not praying to God to simply show him a visible sign but to give him a sign that can make the enemies come to self-knowledge about who God is and what God has done in the life of the psalmist. Such prayer, by analogy, calls the Christian church to pray for a portent sign that will cause the enemies of the church to be put to shame in order to influence them to come to self-knowledge of God...
This paper proposes that intuitive divination is an essential trait of charismatic political lead... more This paper proposes that intuitive divination is an essential trait of charismatic political leadership. It argues that both Charismatic leadership and intuitive divination are expressed within divine calling, extraordinary acting, deliberation, and persuasive speech, and that they all engage the principles of intelligence, manipulative speech, and sacrifice to capture the commitment of followers and influence them to take an action. It looks at the relevance of such a proposition in David’s actions toward the accession of Solomon to the throne in 1 Chronicles 29:1-25 and some Charismatic leaders in Ghana. Such common characteristics highlight the complex roles and definitions of leadership.
This paper argues that spiritual leadership is a unique model, where followers as well as leaders... more This paper argues that spiritual leadership is a unique model, where followers as well as leaders become connected and committed to the group’s wellbeing through a Spirit-filled way of living for positive transformation. The theories on spiritual leadership, thus, should not only be on functional leaders but also on followers who provide an essential motivation to rediscover life-filled pathways that are fulfilling for the group. In this light, the follower who identifies a need, bonds to it, and shares the burden to fulfil the need qualifies to be a spiritual leader. Such a person is one who is empowered by the Holy Spirit to become connected and committed to the network to drive the goals of the organization and initiate moves for positive transformation. The paper uses a narrative critical reading of Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1:1–28 to support the argument that some followers play key roles as spiritual leaders.
Many have come to associate discipleship process in the church with Bible studies. As such, preac... more Many have come to associate discipleship process in the church with Bible studies. As such, preachers pay little attention to disciple-making in their delivery with the assumption that preaching time is not the time to build up disciples. Some preachers are also affected by postmodernism, capitalism, and secularization-individualism and as such want to project themselves only and think about what they can get. They forget that biblical leadership is about building others and developing other people’s faith in Jesus Christ so that they grow to maturity. Preachers who do not see the need to build others and overlook committing the word to them cannot be ideal leaders of the church. Bearing in mind that the key role of the pastor is preaching, this paper emphasizes the role of the preacher in disciple-making. It argues that for effective disciple-making, the preacher must intentionally aim at committing the message to others who have the capacity to teach others too in order to have a ...
Bible in Africa Studies / Exploring Religion in Africa, 2021
COVID-19 has, like other crises, thrown into relief social injustices and gendered inequalities. ... more COVID-19 has, like other crises, thrown into relief social injustices and gendered inequalities. BiAS 31/ ERA 8 offers theological responses to and reflections on the COVID-19 outbreak and pandemic. All are by African scholars and authors; some are academic, some experiential, and others creative or impressionistic in tone. Reflecting the ethos and commitment of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians (“The Circle”) to nurture and promote the publications by and about African women and men committed to social justice and positive change, this issue contains the writings of some established but, predominantly, of emerging theologians. For some contributors, this is their first publication in an international series.
Contributors:
Labeodan, Helen A.; Amenga-Etego, Rosemary; Stiebert, Johanna; Aidoo, Mark S.; Olufemi, Olusola A.; Ayantayo, Jacob Kehinde; Dwemoh, Maame Akoto; Igboin, Benson Ohihon; Adedoyin, Opeyemi Wemimo; Yele L., Marceline; Yetunde, Balogun Ruth; Isiramen, Celestina Omoso; Alamu, Samuel Sunday; Jibromah, Oghenekevwe Kate; Onah, Nkechi G.; Aryeh, Daniel Nii Aboagye; Lanre-Abass, Bolatito A.; Okeke, Roseline Uchenna; Sogbou, Estelle M.; Benoni-Wang, Jennet Tabe; Teno, Asenek Cynthia I.; Gyamfi, Stella; Boateng, Georgina Kwanima
Quickly changing concepts on gender roles are a pivotal issue in after-colonial African societies... more Quickly changing concepts on gender roles are a pivotal issue in after-colonial African societies. Many women (and men) are calling for a radical change as they feel traditional gender concepts as being oppressive, inhuman and un-Christian. Gender equality, gender fairness is on their agenda. On the other hand, for many men (and women) these societal changes are painful “gender troubles” and seem to be dangerous for gender-based identity, threatening traditional African values. Volume 22 of the BiAS series deals with this central topic by asking what gender troubles have to do with the Bible. Are biblical texts an obstacle for women’s liberation? Is the Bible a divine guaranty for male supremacy or rather an advocate for gender equality? What are “redemptive masculinities” and how do they relate to a new, truly Christian understanding of the role of women in church, society and state? – Scholars from different disciplines and several countries are dealing with these urgent questions to help scholars, students, pastors, politicians and members of Christian churches to find a way to more gender fairness and “gender joy”.
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Contributors:
Labeodan, Helen A.; Amenga-Etego, Rosemary; Stiebert, Johanna; Aidoo, Mark S.; Olufemi, Olusola A.; Ayantayo, Jacob Kehinde; Dwemoh, Maame Akoto; Igboin, Benson Ohihon; Adedoyin, Opeyemi Wemimo; Yele L., Marceline; Yetunde, Balogun Ruth; Isiramen, Celestina Omoso; Alamu, Samuel Sunday; Jibromah, Oghenekevwe Kate; Onah, Nkechi G.; Aryeh, Daniel Nii Aboagye; Lanre-Abass, Bolatito A.; Okeke, Roseline Uchenna; Sogbou, Estelle M.; Benoni-Wang, Jennet Tabe; Teno, Asenek Cynthia I.; Gyamfi, Stella; Boateng, Georgina Kwanima