Ghana Journal of Religion and Theology

Biblical Hermeneutics

2025-07-28T14:43:38+00:00

Editor's Note

The Bible and Its Interpretative Communities in West Africa

2025-07-28T12:32:00+00:00

The introduction of the Bible by Western Missionaries from various denominations in the pre-colonial period resulted in its sacred texts being interpreted with varying and sometimes contrasting theological emphasis. This has continued to the present day with a multiplication of interpretive strategies emerging from various Christian communities in West Africa. In addition, African Biblical scholars continue to apply varying strategies to the biblical text to facilitate the reception of its message in a way that addresses the existential questions and development aspirations of African peoples. Meanwhile, ordinary secular readers of the Bible, independent of Church and academia continue to read and apply the Bible to their socio-economic contexts unfettered by the consideration of church and academia. This study locates itself within the current conversations within African Biblical Interpretation generally and seeks to interrogate the interpretive strategies of churches, academia and lay interpreters of the Bible in West Africa. It argues that these three groups illustrate Stanley Fish’s concept of interpretive communities which shape the way culturally-centered texts are read which has implications for the reception of the Bible in West Africa.

Examination of the Similarities Between Psalm 126 and the Prophecy of Zephaniah

2025-07-28T14:44:29+00:00

This study examines comparatively the similarities and interdependency or intertextual links between Psalm 126 and Zephaniah’s prophecy. Attention is paid to their socio-historical contexts, structures, languages, literary features, shared thematic and theological themes. These obvious linguistic and thematic inter-dependencies suggest, among other things, a certain degree of Zephaniah’s or a late redactor’s familiarity with some cultic and prophetic materials, shared and embodied by the composer of Psalm 126. Since this lesser-known Prophet, Zephaniah, shared certain traditions with other biblical poets, both texts, Zephaniah and Psalm 126, should not be read in isolation from the overall context of OT theology, especially of the Psalms and prophetic traditions.

Jethro's Counsel in Exod. 18:13-27

2025-07-28T14:45:08+00:00

While Nigeria is technically a democracy, several actions and policies by the government have raised concerns about democratic backsliding and authoritarianism. This paper reviews the wisdom of Jethro's counsel to Moses in Exod. 18:13-27. Its main goal is to explore the relevance of this Biblical counsel to Nigeria's governance challenges. The paper employs a qualitative research methodology grounded in an extensive literature review and critical analysis. It highlights in this Biblical narrative that Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, observes Moses’ burden of single-handedly adjudicating all matters for the Israelites. He advises Moses to appoint capable, trustworthy leaders to share these responsibilities; thereby establishing a system of hierarchical governance that emphasizes delegation, accountability, and discernment. Jethro’s advice not only reduces Moses' burden, but it also fosters efficiency and sustainability in leadership. The paper emphasises how decentralization and accountability, as recommended by Jethro, could enhance Nigeria's governance by enabling competent leaders at different levels to address regional needs, reduce bureaucracy, and foster transparency. It posits that this biblical model of shared leadership and ethical governance offers a timeless solution that resonates with Nigeria's quest for sustainable development, justice, and equity. The paper reiterates the potential of biblical principles to inspire contemporary political frameworks, providing nations like Nigeria with a pathway toward effective and responsible governance.

Faith Healing

2025-07-28T14:45:52+00:00

In many African Pentecostal and Charismatic contexts, particularly in Ghana, faith is often viewed as the central requirement for experiencing divine healing and miracles. As a result, when individuals do not receive healing, they are frequently blamed for lacking sufficient faith, which leads to stigma, emotional trauma, and feelings of spiritual inadequacy. This article critiques this prevailing blame theology among faith healers by exploring its roots in the teachings of Traditional African religion and African Independent Churches. The study uses a phenomenological approach to explore faith healing among Ghanaian Pentecostals and Charismatics. Drawing on the compassionate model of Jesus depicted in John 11, the study argues for a shift from a blame-oriented approach to a pastoral model that encourages faith without condemning those who struggle with it. It emphasizes that while faith can facilitate healing, divine sovereignty ultimately determines the outcomes of miraculous interventions. The article concludes by proposing a more balanced theology of healing that affirms human faith while recognising God's supreme will, aiming to promote spiritual, emotional, and social well-being within Ghanaian Pentecostal and Charismatic churches.

Yoruba Indigenous Religion: A Philosophical Reflection

2025-07-28T14:36:52+00:00

Yoruba Indigenous Religion (YIR), as well as its practices in southwest Nigeria, is confronted with various challenges attributable to derogation, misinterpretation, neglect, misrepresentation, among others, for its survival in the midst of other religions. Undisputable, foreign religions have won many contemporary Yoruba youths and a few adults who lack the knowledge of the core Yoruba religious beliefs and practices, which are mostly knitted to their culture. These are evident as they evince crass ignorance about the religion. Consequently, it is resulting in the consistent decline of its essence and cause negative impacts on the cultural mores of the Yoruba societies. However, this paper posits that the attributes of the YIR will forever make it thrive amidst all the challenges and confrontations it faces, especially from other foreign religions in the land. It attributes ill-mannered behaviours in the society to the core doctrinal teachings of other religions against the YIR. The paper, therefore, examined the appropriateness of the revival of this religion using philosophical and phenomenological approaches, focusing attention on the Yoruba people of Southwest, Nigeria. The paper concludes with viable ways of restoring the religion to its conventional form, such as inclusion of YIR in educational curricula, and Nigerian constitution; collaboration on healing and care among others.

Intercultural Theology: An Introduction in Ten Steps

2025-07-28T14:55:29+00:00

Intercultural theology is not an ‘exotic’ discipline or a stylish supplement to the classic canon of theological disciplines, but a discourse which is motivated by the cultural diversity inside Christianity and the religious pluralism outside Christianity. It reflects the mutual influence and relations between culture/society and Christian faith (contextual theology), the meaning of basic terms and concepts like culture, context, mission, interdisciplinarity and so on (intercultural theological epistemology), the relations between different religious traditions (theology of interreligious dialogue, comparative theology) and the way different religious claims of truth and salvation can be understood (theology of religions). Moreover, intercultural theology, even if it understands itself as a theological discipline, likes to work interdisciplinary to understand the life and challenges of Christianity in today’s world, which is inevitably multicultural, multireligious, secular, post- and neocolonial. Thus, intercultural theology is the intellectual tool of global Christianity.