ISHANESU S E X T U S GUSHA
University of Pretoria, New Testament Studies, Department Member
This chapter focuses on the appropriation of the Bible in the Zimbabwean narrative by the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) (see also Chapter 1 by Gunda in this volume). The context of this appropriation was the 40th... more
This chapter focuses on the appropriation of the Bible in the Zimbabwean narrative by the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) (see also Chapter 1 by Gunda in this volume). The context of this appropriation was the 40th independence celebration of Zimbabwe in 2020 and the number 40 was theologised in relation to these celebrations. The primary document for this appropriation has been the Pastoral Letter which was referred to as the 21st-century oracle by the 21st-century prophets. The chapter explores the significance of the Bible in the public space in Zimbabwe and lessons that can be drawn from this appropriation by the Second Republic. The chapter concludes that the 40th independence was an opportunity for a reflection of the past, a window for a new beginning for Zimbabwe and a reconfiguration of the country’s narrative.
Research Interests:
The issue of boundaries has been a source of identity, peace and conflict throughout history. This chapter seeks to discuss the issue of deflecting traditional disciplinary boundaries in biblical studies. The debate on deflecting academic... more
The issue of boundaries has been a source of identity, peace and conflict throughout history. This chapter seeks to discuss the issue of deflecting traditional disciplinary boundaries in biblical studies. The debate on deflecting academic boundaries has been in existence for centuries with a combination of success and failure. The saying by Tertullian, who was the Bishop of North Africa, “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem, the acad
emy with the church?” is testimony to the existence of the debate on protecting disciplinary boundaries (Herman, 1997:49). Athens repre
sented the discipline of philosophy, and prominent ancient philosophers came from the academies of Athens. Jerusalem on the other hand repre
sented theology or the Christian faith. Therefore, Tertullian questioned the link between these two disciplines, and for him there was norelationship between the two. This meant that the two disciplines should not interact, especially in research and the production of knowledge. This is a thinking that has created rigid disciplinary boundaries for centuries, and this has become an acceptable tradition in scholarship. In my discus
sion of deflecting traditional disciplinary boundaries, I start by defining key terms such as deflecting, tradition, discipline and boundary. Next, I explore in brief the history of the study of the Bible in different epochs as a way to establish the disciplinary boundaries that were in existence in biblical studies and how some of these boundaries were deflected but to a limited extent at other times. The chapter will then proffer some solutions on how these biblical boundaries can be deflected but without losing their identity.
emy with the church?” is testimony to the existence of the debate on protecting disciplinary boundaries (Herman, 1997:49). Athens repre
sented the discipline of philosophy, and prominent ancient philosophers came from the academies of Athens. Jerusalem on the other hand repre
sented theology or the Christian faith. Therefore, Tertullian questioned the link between these two disciplines, and for him there was norelationship between the two. This meant that the two disciplines should not interact, especially in research and the production of knowledge. This is a thinking that has created rigid disciplinary boundaries for centuries, and this has become an acceptable tradition in scholarship. In my discus
sion of deflecting traditional disciplinary boundaries, I start by defining key terms such as deflecting, tradition, discipline and boundary. Next, I explore in brief the history of the study of the Bible in different epochs as a way to establish the disciplinary boundaries that were in existence in biblical studies and how some of these boundaries were deflected but to a limited extent at other times. The chapter will then proffer some solutions on how these biblical boundaries can be deflected but without losing their identity.