Generational Curses in the Pentateuch: An American and Maasai Intercultural Analysis (Bible and Theology in Africa)

Description

Although the demographics of World Christianity demonstrate a population shift to the Global South, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, the preponderance of biblical scholarship continues to be dominated by Western scholars in pursuit of their contextual questions that are influenced by an Enlightenment-oriented worldview. Unfortunately, nascent methodologies used to bridge this chasm often continue to marginalize indigenous voices. In contradistinction, Beth E. Elness-Hanson’s research challenges biblical scholars to engage stronger methods for dialogue with global voices, as well as encourages Majority World scholars to share their perspectives with the West. Elness-Hanson’s fundamental question is: How do we more fully understand the “generational curses” in the Pentateuch? The phrase, “visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation,” appears four times in the Pentateuch: Exod 20:4–6; Exod 34:6–7; Num 14:18; and Deut 5:8–10. While generational curses remain prevalent within the Maasai worldview in East Africa, an Enlightenment-influenced worldview diminishes curses as a phenomenon. However, fuller understandings develop as we listen and learn from each other. This research develops a theoretical framework from Hans-Georg Gadamer’s “fusion of horizons” and applies it through Ellen Herda’s anthropological protocol of “participatory inquiry.” The resulting dialogue with Maasai theologians in Tanzania, builds bridges of understanding across cultures. Elness-Hanson’s intercultural analysis of American and Maasai interpretations of the Pentateuchal texts on the generational curses demonstrates that intercultural dialogues increase understandings, which otherwise are limited by one worldview. Cover Table of Contents Figures Acknowledgments Note Bibliography Abbreviations Chapter One: Question and Texts Introduction The Rise of World Christianity Compels Intercultural Analysis My Horizon Shaped by My Sociolocation Observations Provoked Research Inquiry Overview of Dialogue with Maasai Participants Terminology Terminology for the Three Constituent Groups Approach, Method, and Methodology The Approach of Intercultural Hermeneutics Enlightenment and Modernity Generational Curse Notes Bibliography Chapter Two: Theoretical Framework for Intercultural Hermeneutics Introduction Overview of Intercultural Hermeneutics Gadamer’s “Fusion of Horizons” Intercultural Biblical Scholars Who Have Incorporated Gadamer Hans-Georg Gadamer Gadamer Critiqued Effective Historical Consciousness Shapes Horizon Gadamer’s Concept of “Fusion of Horizons” Fusing Horizons through Dialogue Fusing Horizons through Bildung Summary of Integrating Gadamer’s Fusion of Horizons as a Theoretical Framework Influential Exponents in Intercultural Hermeneutics Justin Ukpong: A Pioneer of African Biblical Hermeneutics Gerald West: Prophet and Pioneer of Contextual Bible Studies Hans de Wit: Vanguard of Intercultural Bible Reading Knut Holter: Exponent of European and African Dialogue Letting X Interpret Y or Y Interpret X Multidimensional Exegesis Blessings and Curses in Speech-Act Theory Practical Application of the Theoretical into Intercultural Hermeneutics Notes Bibliography Chapter Three: The Maasai Concept of Generational Curses as Reconciliation Introduction Maasai Origin and Social Structure Maasai Cosmogony and Cattle as the Center of Life An Analysis of a Portion of the Traditional Maasai Worldview The Power Hierarchy Maasai Cursing A General Maasai Christian Perspective Notes Bibliography Chapter Four: Exegesis in Dialogue with the Maasai Conceptual Paradigm of Reconciliation Introduction Developing the Contextual Conceptual Paradigm The Maasai Compared with Ancient Israel Dialogical Exegesis of Exodus 20:4–6 The Literary Context of Exodus 20:4–6 The Literary Genre of Exodus 20:4–6 Reading of the Text and Textual Issues of Exodus 20:4–6 The Generational Curse and Reconciliation of Exodus 20:4–6 Theological Themes in the Fusion of Horizons of Exodus 20:4–6 Summary of Exodus 20:4–6 Dialogical Exegesis of Exodus 34:6–8 The Literary Context of Exodus 34:6–8 Reading of the Text and Textual Issues of Exodus 34:6–8 The Generational Curse and Reconciliation of Exodus 34:6–8 The Contextual Conceptual Paradigm of Reconciliation of Exodus 34:6–8 Theological Themes in the Fusion of Horizons of Exodus 34:6–8 Summary of Exodus 34:6–8 Dialogical Exegesis of Numbers 14:18 The Literary Context of Numbers 14:18 Reading of the Text and Textual Issues of Numbers 14:18 The Generational Curse and Consequences in Numbers 14:18 The Contextual Conceptual Paradigm of Reconciliation in Numbers 14:18 Theological Themes in the Fusion of Horizons in Numbers 14:18 Summary of Numbers 14:18 Dialogical Exegesis of Deuteronomy 5:8–10 The Literary Context of Deuteronomy 5:8–10 Reading of the Text and Textual Issues of Deuteronomy 5:8–10 The Generational Curse and Consequences in Deuteronomy 5:8–10 The Contextual Conceptual Paradigm of Reconciliation in Deuteronomy 5:8–10 Theological Themes in the Fusion of Horizons in Deuteronomy 5:8–10 Summary of Deuteronomy 5:8–10 Notes Bibliography Chapter Five: Analysis and Potentials Introduction Summary of Findings Exegetical Findings Toward a Fusing of Horizons How Were the Hows?: Critique of Methodology with Hermeneutical Lens Strengths and Contributions Challenges Potentials for Intercultural Biblical Hermeneutics Possibilities for Further Study and Application Notes Bibliography Appendices Appendix 1: Summary of Informants Appendix 2: Beginning Questions for Participatory Inquiry in 2012 Church Work and Educational Background Information Exodus 20 Passage Questions Generational Curses in Traditional Maasai Understanding Christian Maasai Understanding of Traditional Maasai Curses The Numbers Related to Curse and Blessing Corporate Responsibility Appendix 3: Summary of Kimaasai Words for Curses Appendix 4: Summary of 2012 Transcription Analysis Appendix 5: Follow-up Questions for Participatory Inquiry in 2013 Questions for Clarification Kimaasai Words for Curse Idolatry Contextual Interpretations Appendix 6: Various Ways of Numbering the Ten Commandments Appendix 7: “Curse” in the Hebrew Bible Subject Index Scripture Index