Conspectus Volume 36

Abstract

In the first article, “Nonconformist Transformation: An Exegetical Study of Ephesians 5:7–14,” José de Carvalho dives into Ephesians 5:11’s appeal to expose the unfruitful deeds of darkness, arguing that Paul had the deeds of unbelievers in mind. Through an exegetical and literary study of verses 7–14, de Carvalho demonstrates the missional value of non-verbal gospel communication through a nonconformist lifestyle that rejects secular norms. Next, Jiofack Kana C. Jésus points out the threats and opportunities in African missions, illustrating the need to engage biblical authority, theology, and anthropology for an effective and faithful missional theology in and for Africa. In his article entitled, “Towards a Biblical Theology of Missions in Western Africa,” Jésus argues that African theologians are well positioned to articulate a biblical theology of missions. In her article, “The Effects of Boko Haram on the Church in Nigeria: The Case of Michika Local Government Area, Adamawa State,” Roseline Luka Vandi discusses the devastating impact of Boko Haram on the church in the Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Employing a critical phenomenological method, Vandi makes recommendations about the hopeful and redemptive role of the church and its leaders in the aftermath of the insurgence. Next, June Dickie applies literature trauma theory to demonstrate how reading and performing the biblical story of Ruth and selected lament psalms could facilitate more cost-effective healing for trauma sufferers. Reflecting on the outcomes of readings and performances of these texts with selected groups, Dickie argues that this approach gives sufferers the opportunity to express their own pain and relate to characters in the Bible. In his article, “Emotive or Ethical? A Theological Reflection on Kenya’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education,” Kevin Muriithi Ndereba critiques an emotive response to sexuality education in Kenya. Through a customized practical theological methodology, Ndereba offers a theological and ethical approach to the issue by analyzing the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) policy in Kenyan society, evaluating its sexual ethics in light of key NT passages, and offering practical recommendations for ministerial and theological engagement in matters of sexual ethics in Kenya. In her article, “Drawing on the Collective Wisdom of the Past to Develop a Transformative, Scripture-Infused Eco-Theology for Land Use in Africa,” Katherine Norton addresses the widespread environmental degradation in Africa by proffering a Scripture-infused eco-theology that honors indigenous wisdom and takes seriously the engagement with Scripture within a community’s local language. She concludes with eight practical recommendations, inspired by experiences of the Faith and Farming program in Nigeria and beyond. Finally, Samson Tadelle Demo engages the topic of transhumanism in his article, “Deconstructing Transhumanism: A Metanoia from Homo Deus to Homo Kenosus.” Demo critiques the transhumanistic ideals of homo deus and calls for a metanoiac turn, a kenotic embrace of Christ’s incarnate life and service, as key to deconstruct the ethos of transhumanism. The publication concludes with three book reviews. Daniel Nii Aboagye Aryeh reviews David deSilva’s (2022) Honor, Patronage, Kinship, and Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture, Max Swart reviews Spiritual Formation for the Global Church: A Multi-Denominational, Multi-Ethnic Approach, edited by Ryan A. Brandt and John Frederick (2021), and Megan Braithwaite reviews Catherine L. McDowell and Philip H. Towner’s (2021) The Rewards of Learning Greek and Hebrew: Discovering the Richness of the Bible in its Original Languages.