e • NETS • TC61207 • African Church History and African Theology •
Reading Assignment 3
DUE MONDAY 11th August 8:55
Mburu, Elizabeth African Hermeneutics. Bukuru, Nigeria: HippoBooks, 2019, 3-9 and 65-89
Questions 1a, 1b and 1c refer to pages 3-9
1a. What does Elizabeth Mburu mean when she talks about the challenge of dichotomized
lives of African Christians?
African Christians live separated lives. They keep their spiritual life and daily life apart
instead of allowing their faith to be incorporated into their daily lifes. When in the presence of
other Christians they are spiritual, however when they are faced with choices that are not
particularly spiritual, they react and make choices in a manner similar to the world instead of
standing out and making choices in light of God, Scipture and the Spirit.
1b. Do you see the same problem in the lives of Namibian Christians? Explain and give
examples to substantiate your opinion.
Urban “double lives”: In urban churches, Christians may display vibrant worship on Sunday,
but during work or social life, act as if faith doesn’t shape integrity or justice—e.g., being
honest only in church but cutting corners at work.
Cultural/ritual disconnect: In rural areas, some maintain traditional practices (e.g., healing
rituals, ancestor-related customs) separately from Christian moral teaching—again dividing
“church life” from “cultural life.”
Educational settings: Christian schools may teach biblical values, but students may behave
otherwise when off campus—demonstrating a lack of holistic formation.
1c. Elizabeth Mburu presents an African Hermeneutic as a solution to the problem of
dichotomized lives. Explain how she thinks her Hermeneutical model will help solve this
problem.
Mburu proposes an African-centred hermeneutic—a way of interpreting Scripture that
intentionally integrates African communal life, traditions, and worldview with biblical teaching.
Key ways it addresses the dichotomy:
Contextual integration: It bridges the text and African contexts, helping believers read
Scripture in a way that speaks directly to communal life, ethics, rituals, relationships.
Holistic faith formation: By engaging both Scripture and cultural insights, Christians learn to
see faith as relational, socially embodied—not confined to ritual.
Cultural resonance: It affirms that African culture can mediate the gospel and that biblical
truth isn’t a foreign implant but can be appropriated within African worldview frameworks.
2a. On pages 65-89 Mburu explains her model of African Hermeneutics.
Hermeneutics. Summarize her model by
a) by identifying what each leg and the seat stands for
b) explaining for each why it is important.
- Leg 1 = Parallels to the African Context .
Importance: This first leg enables us to move from an area of familiarity to an area of unfamiliarity. This means that it
enables us to understand a bible text from a familiar position. Secondly, when we examine our own worldview and
context it places us in a position to recognize there our own assumptions do not fit with the text.
- Leg 2 = Theological Context .
Importance: It is essential that the theological emphases provide the guidelines within which the meaning of the text
should be sought.
- Leg 3 = Literary Context .
Importance:
- Leg 4 = Historical and Cultural Context .
Importance: It helps us to understand what the text meant in its original context.
- Seat = Application .
Importance:
2b. What are some of the dangers we might face in our doctrine and practice…
- … if we don’t’ seek to understand the text in its original context?
If we ignore the original historical, literary and theological context, we risk misapplication by
extracting personal biases. We turn Scripture into a cultural mirror instead of allowing it to
challenge and transform us.
- … if the text is not properly applied into the African context?
If we apply the text “as is” without rooting it in African lived reality, application becomes
forced or culturally dissonant—either Westernizing Christianity or dismissing Scripture as
foreign. This can lead to superficial adaptation or cultural rejection of biblical norms.
3. Critically evaluate this reading. What would you say are the major strengths and/or
weaknesses of Mburu’s approach?
Strengths:
* Holistic integration: Encourages Christians to live a fully integrated faith—not separating
doctrine, worship, ethics, culture.
* Contextual rootedness: Values African identity, worldview, and communal practices rather
than leveling them under foreign paradigms.
* Practical insight: A model that acknowledges contemporary issues and equips believers for
ethical life in their contexts.
* Balanced: Scripture + culture: Maintains respect for biblical authority while engaging
context thoughtfully.
Potential Weaknesses / Challenges:
* Complex to implement: Churches or individuals may lack tools or training in contextual
hermeneutics—risk partial adoption.
* Potential syncretism: Blending culture and Scripture risks diluting biblical distinctives if not
carefully managed.
* Diversity of African contexts: Africa is not monolithic—what works in one cultural context
may not transfer to another, including within Namibia’s multiple ethnic groups.
* Academic vs. grassroots gap: The model may be more accessible to scholars than to
everyday lay leaders, posing a gap in practical deployment.
