Africanizing Divine Revelation Through History-Telling: Joshua 23–24 as a Hermeneutic Template

Western evaluations have often stereotyped African religious expressions as profane. In addition, the continent’s experience of Western hegemony and its religious justifications gives little room for genuine mutuality and respect. While the chapter recognizes the commitment of African biblical interpretation to liberation and inculturation hermeneutics as a response that makes the meeting of cultures possible, these approaches appear reactional. An alternative method of African biblical interpretation, primarily formational to the African people, seems necessary. In an attempt to blacken (Africanize) the Bible, this chapter stresses the aptness of history-telling. This move corroborates Chinua Achebe’s claim: “Until the lion tells his side of the story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” Hence, using biblical revelation (Josh 23–24) as a hermeneutic template, this chapter posits the need for Africa to narrate its history of divine experience, constructing a unique identity around this history.