Bible and theology from the underside of empire / edited by Vuyani Vellem, Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, Philip Vinod Peacock.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Vellem, Vuyani

Contributor:

Vellem, Vuyani, editor.

Sheerattan-Bisnauth, Patricia, editor.

Peacock, Philip Vinod, editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Church and social problems.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (223 pages) : illustrations

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

African Sun Media 2017

[Place of publication not identified] : Sun Press, [2016]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

'Empire' has become an apt label to name the present horizon of global life and is associated with logic and practices which threaten human life in myriad ways. These reflections not only expose the true nature of empire, but suggest an alternative vision of flourishing wrought by God's kingdom. In a creative and imaginative manner the contributions highlight new liberative possibilities for life through non-conventional Bible reading. The authors display a sensitive moral antenna for the oppressive manifestations of empire, and courageously intimate a new paradigm for Christian mission and public witness today.

Contents:

Intro

Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

References

Foreword

Introduction

Broken Bodies

Colonised Spaces

Transgressive Bodies

Contributors

SECTION 1: Broken Bodies

1. Justice is the heart of faith

Introduction: The truth about justice

Truth and lies in the world today

Mark 3: Propaganda versus anti-propaganda

Two symbolic orders: Two kinds of truth

Summary: True justice is the heart of true faith

A prayer

A hymn

Questions for further reflection

2. Globalisation and corporatisation

Corporate market globalisation

The religion of corporate market globalisation

Corporate market globalisation: Threats to health

The health crisis: A challenge to faith communities

Theological interpretation, medicine, and healing

Jesus: The sick and the radical healer

The faith community: Follower of the radical healer

Seeds of hope and seeds of health

3. Gender justice in times of Empire

Kowsilla's resistance against Empire in British Guiana

Gender in the context of Empire

Reading the Bible in the context of Empire

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Conclusion

A poem

4. The failure of Empire to protect and honour

Discerning the signs of the times: Mission in the midstof Empire

The rape of Tamar

Virginity in Samoan culture

The context in which Tamar is presented

5. Doubting Empire

UK context: A tale of two directions

Receive the kingdom as a child

Doubting Empire: Face to face with the first born of God's new creation

References.

6. Trafficking and violence against children

Background to the story

Roshanne's story

SECTION 2: Colonised Spaces

1. Sea of creation

Genesis talanoa

Empires

Island reading

Abstract

2. Anamnestic solidarity

The Bhopal tragedy

Dangerous memories

The metaphor of Star

Where is God in Bhopal?

3. The fire behind the branding

The language of Empire

Nebuchadnezzar and the golden statue: A representation of Empire

4. Economic and political justice

Christian faith and economic theories

The story

The story of the hungry lion

Visions for alternative

Thomas Merton on the Tower of Babel

The Coffers Dams: A novel by Kamala Markandaya

5. Preaching Jubilee in the post-industrial city

Poem

A Prayer for the Little Ones in an Age of Empire

Question for further reflection

Bibliography/Suggested reading

6. Iziko: Insurrection and resurrection

Theological rationale to the Bible study

Bible study

On Iziko: A black African concept for insurrection andresurrection

Un-concluding thoughts

7. God's world is not an 'Animal Farm', or is it?

Explanation of the parable text

Context and manifestation of the Empire

Matthew 20:1-16: Challenges to contemporary communities

Vision for alternatives

Questions for personal and collective reflection

8 . Mineral resources and multinational corporations and its impact on African people

The contemporary scene

SECTION 3: Transgressive Bodies

1. Look out

Introduction.

The call of the people and nature for the future

Two paradises destroyed

Cry for justice

2. A gift not withstanding its abuses

Studying the texts

Manifestations of Empire on sexuality

Bible texts in context

Alternative readings for empowerment

3. The politics of resistance

European foundations of the conflict

Powerful political and economic interest sacrificed the Palestinians

Unjust and unethical actions of the United Nations

Sibling rivalry exasperated the problem

Support for Israel based upon questionable Biblical interpretation

4. Reuniting sexuality and spirituality

The sacred body and sensual spirituality

Two accounts of exploitation of the female body

I have not a body but I am a body

Theological reflection on sexual violence

Exercise

Conclusion.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-928355-11-0

Access Restriction:

Open access Unrestricted online access