Customer Reviews

Africa Bible Commentary: A One-Volume Commentary Written by 70 African Scholars

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I just returned from a mission trip in Uganda and was delighted to see that my first ordered copy had arrived when I returned from Africa. For me, the commentary has such a refreshing and inspired passion for the faith that excites the soul. It has become my first stop in sermon preparation. I find the scholarship first rate, but also the "heart" for pastoral applicability is equally evident. Having experienced the African faith up close may tint my perspective slightly, but that's probably not a bad thing in this case.

As an Episcopal priest, I find this commentary to be not only a treasure chest of wisdom, but truly enjoyable to read. The articles are very informative, interesting and appropo to African social and religious issues and they easily translate into our own cultural context.

Life in much of Africa helps one better understand many of the biblical customs and contexts because the lifestyle, especially in remote areas, is very similar. I think that this closer connection to our biblical roots cannot help but provide a more personal reflection of the meaning of the texts. The evangelical slant will probably turn off some Americans, but this is the reason that the fastest growing segment of the worldwide church is Africa. Personally, I prefer to be humbled and learn rather than prideful and judge.

After familiarizing myself with the commentary, I have purchased eight more copies of this book for the Ugandan clergy and host families that extended their hospitality to our team. I also bought one for my son, who is a senior at Duke Divinity School. Even though it stretched my book budget, this is without a doubt, money well spent.

The "African Bible Commentary" is written by and for the Evangelical Protestant Community. All 70 African scholars signed the statement of faith of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa. Thus readers receive a comprehensive and culturally relevant conservative theology applied to African Christian living.

It truly is a unique book--the first one-volume Bible commentary produced in Africa by African theologians to meet the needs of African pastors, students, and lay people. However, African American believers, and for that matter, all Christians, will find this book refreshing and encouraging, as well as biblically informative.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Soul Physicians, and Spiritual Friends.

The Africa Bible Commentary is an attempt to provide a particularly Afro-centered commentary on the whole Bible by over 70 scholars. It is a very interesting book, in parts. Issues such as AIDS, poverty, slavery, polygamy, etc. are covered from a Christian perspective that opens a window into some of the specific concerns and convictions of African Christians. The weakness of the book is that it is fairly lightweight in the exegetical treatment of the text itself. I did not find it a very useful guide in interpretation; but it did provide some interesting perspective on various social and ethical issues facing Christianity today. All in all, the commentary did not live up to its reviews and advertisments.

This commentary has been very helpful to our African church leaders and overseas missionary partners working in Africa. This is the book they request we bring on our annual visits, so we know they are using it. It's the first of it's kind - the ABC is not a critical, academic, verse-by-verse commentary. Rather, it contains section-by-section exegesis and explanation of the whole Bible, as seen through the eyes of African scholars who respect the integrity of the text and use African proverbs, metaphors and stories to make it speak to African believers in the villages and cities across the entire continent.

This is a great effort by African scholors from all over Africa to educate African people about Christianity. "In Africa, Christianity is a mile wide and 1" deep." (Quoted from the ABC.) For me, as a non-African interested in supporting ministry for the Maasai in Kenya, it is a way to understand the Bible from a new point of view. Excellent, incredible work.

An important book of biblical scholarship reflecting one major stream of African Christianity. For me, however, it was a significant disappointment to discover that the choice of commemtators strongly reflects historic Western church divisions. There are no Roman Catholic, Coptic Orthodox or Ethiopian Orthodox scholars represented among the 70 contributors. It is written from, (and to?) evangelical Protestant communities. All the contributors had to affirm the statement of faith of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa. For some readers this may be a reassurance. For me, it is a sorrowful narrowing of the full breadth of African Christianity. I find this an ecumenical opportunity missed and had hoped for a more generous interpretation of African Christian life. Nevertheless despite this missed opportunity I appreciate this book as an important work by evangelical African scholars. However, those looking for a contribution from African Catholic or Orthodox scholars will need to look elsewhere.

It is most amazing that in an Africa beset by tribal conflicts there could be such unity among those who call themselves Christian leaders to put together a book like this. It is a testimony of what God's love in people can do to make life different for them as they strive to teach others the Way. The book is well done and uses much from African culture to help us understand the Bible better. I love the use of African proverbs in explaining the Bible. I use it every day in my personal Bible study.

I purchased this product as a gift for my Husband. He has been so inspired and blessed with this guide. In fact, we never new anything like this existed. We have several Afro-American bibles, song books, cook books and other inspiring reading material. I am so grateful for finding this. It has been truly enlighting.

As a recently commissioned lay minister, I have been seeking resources to use as I explore scripture to learn for myself and to share with others. As a person who has lived in East Africa and has come to appreciate the culture reflected there, it has been refreshing to read reflections on scripture from a perspective from another part of the world. I have a great deal of respect for both the academic and spiritual strenghts of the writers. This has been a prized addition to my library.

This is a spectacular commentary, and what makes it even greater is the authorship is completely African Scholars. The additional 50+ articles brings so much light to a contextualized gospel from the perspective of African Pastors on the front line. This is not only a great piece of literature it is a breakthrough in publishing that symbolizes the shift of the center of Christianity to the Global South. A must have for all interested in viewing scripture from a non-Euramerican perspective.