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First African Bible commentary launched
July 08, 2006, 08:15
The first Bible commentary written exclusively by African theologians has been launched in Kenya. The 1 600 page volume, called Africa Bible Commentary has been written exclusively by African theologians from 25 countries, and aims to explain the Bible from an African perspective.
Evangelists, scholars and politicians who included Daniel Arap Moi, the former Kenyan president, graced the modest ceremony where the historic commentary was launched. In a triumphant mood, Tokunboh Adeyemo, the commentary editor, declared, "we have landed". The effort to write the commentary faced multiple distractions, he said, but the finished job a literary milestone.
The commentary contains local proverbs and folk lore to help interpret the scriptures. It also addresses contemporary issues such as HIV/Aids, female genital mutilation, refugees, ethnic conflict and witchcraft.
Spiritual awakening
The commentary is published by the Evangelical publisher Zondervan. Adeyemo says the commentary seeks to end ignorance over Biblical content and to ignite spiritual awakening among Africans.
Writers of the commentary asked Africans to be to be faithful to their own cultures as well as the Bible. Arap Moi said the book is a rare victory for Africa, a continent whose story has always been written by outsiders.
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The basic tenet of black consciousness is that the black man must reject all value systems that seek to make him a foreigner in the country of his birth and reduce his basic human dignity.
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