Conclusion: The Past and Future of African Scholars’ Contribution to Biblical Interpretation

The entry of African scholars into the field of biblical interpretation, some more than 30 years ago now, has revolutionised biblical interpretation. This entry has not been without controversy as some scholars, skewed towards Western methods of biblical interpretation, have questioned the methodologies of African biblical scholars. It has also been a revolution as African scholars tended to abandon the methodologies of their Western teachers and mentors. As a fitting conclusion to our volume, this chapter will consider the entry of African scholars into the field of biblical interpretation, focusing on their methodologies and the themes they addressed. It will also evaluate the methodologies of these African scholars as it seeks a way forward in interpreting the Bible in Africa.