A Biblical Theology of Community and Its Relevance to Early Twenty First Century Zambia

Abstract

Due to rapid urbanisation, the spread of HIV/AIDS and the growing influence of Western culture, Zambia is undergoing great changes in the early twenty-first century. According to its constitution, as amended by act number 18 of 1996, Zambia is a Christian nation. In order to find out how to run a community in a Biblical way, the theme of community was examined across the entire canon. Previously, there has only been two works, Hanson (2001) and Dubay (1973) which have sought to write a Biblical theology of community with reference to the entire canon. Neither of these works used the Bible’s own structure or genres in their own structure, nor were they written from a conservative, Evangelical perspective. In writing a Biblical theology of community, this thesis has divided the Bible into seven sections following the original canonical order and the genres of the books. In each of the seven sections there was a strong unity in the teachings of the Bible on community. The themes of solidarity, care for the poor and oppressed within a community, justice and family were found to have importance across the entire canon. The similarities and unity on community between the various sections of the canon far outweighed any diversity or differences. The issues that were raised and emphasised in the Biblical theology of community are of particularly relevance to early twenty-first century Zambia. Traditional solidarity is being eroded by urbanisation and Western influences. Care for the poor is paramount in the face of the amount of poverty currently seen in Zambia. Justice is relevant given both the plight of the poor and the history of government corruption. The family has traditionally been of great importance in Zambian culture. The importance given by the Bible to the issues of marriage, fidelity and the raising of children both affirms the traditional importance of the family and challenges some traditional practices.

Due to rapid urbanisation, the spread of HIV/AIDS and the growing influence of Western culture, Zambia is undergoing great changes in the early twenty-first century. According to its constitution, as amended by act number 18 of 1996, Zambia is a Christian nation. In order to find out how to run a community in a Biblical way, the theme of community was examined across the entire canon. Previously, there has only been two works, Hanson (2001) and Dubay (1973) which have sought to write a Biblical theology of community with reference to the entire canon. Neither of these works used the Bible’s own structure or genres in their own structure, nor were they written from a conservative, Evangelical perspective. In writing a Biblical theology of community, this thesis has divided the Bible into seven sections following the original canonical order and the genres of the books. In each of the seven sections there was a strong unity in the teachings of the Bible on community. The themes of solidarity, care for the poor and oppressed within a community, justice and family were found to have importance across the entire canon. The similarities and unity on community between the various sections of the canon far outweighed any diversity or differences. The issues that were raised and emphasised in the Biblical theology of community are of particularly relevance to early twenty-first century Zambia. Traditional solidarity is being eroded by urbanisation and Western influences. Care for the poor is paramount in the face of the amount of poverty currently seen in Zambia. Justice is relevant given both the plight of the poor and the history of government corruption. The family has traditionally been of great importance in Zambian culture. The importance given by the Bible to the issues of marriage, fidelity and the raising of children both affirms the traditional importance of the family and challenges some traditional practices.