Hebrews' Christology and its contemporary apprehension in Africa

Abstract

I should begin this paper by putting its significance into perspective. The Bible is a challenge especially to Christian communities. This is primarily because Christians perceive it, in some sense, as the 'word of God' which, therefore, has an absolute and universal character, and is of permanent value to them.2 As such, what it says has to be identified for and in every culture and historical situation, and conveyed to the same. Therein in lies the challenge. How is this to be done given that the time in which the Bible was written is quite different to the times of those wishing to hear its message for, and apply it in, their times and culture? So for example, in Hebrews, we encounter a particular message concerning the identity and function of Jesus that was articulated about 2000 year ago. If we identify a part of the message of Hebrews thus, how are we in Africa to convey, and/or make sense of, it? This is the question I want to answer in this paper and by so doing, try and show how this challenge of the Bible can in some ways be met here in Africa