Department of Old and New Testament

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Browsing Department of Old and New Testament by Author "Ajah, Miracle"

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    An assessment of the priestly emolument in Numbers 18:8-32
    (Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2010) Ajah, Miracle
    This article seeks to examine how a theological reflection on the priestly emolument in Numbers 18:8-32 would enhance a better interpretation of stewardship amongst believing communities in Africa. Dependency syndrome amongst most African churches, especially those established by Europeans has robbed them of the prestige of adopting a selfsupporting/propagating programme. The thesis of this paper maintains that a good synchronization of the tradition-historical exegetical method proposed by Gnuse will facilitate a good interpretation of the priestly emoluments in Numbers 18 and their subsequent application to the church in Africa today. Comparable texts from the Ancient Near East that may have influenced Numbers 18 were surveyed; the possible oral prehistory of Numbers 18 was scrutinized; the connection of Numbers 18 to other priestly traditions was examined; and the use or interpretation of the pericope by the wider biblical tradition concluded the study. The practice of tithes in Numbers 18 was rooted in the theological understanding that the LORD was the owner of the land and the Israelites were to tithe all the wealth of the land as a means of submitting to that sovereign ownership. This same understanding will motivate a strong stewardship and independence amongst churches in Africa.
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    Deuteronomic tithe laws and their humanitarian implications for Africa
    (Pieter de Waal Neethling Trust, 2018) Ajah, Miracle
    There has been no univocal position among scholars on the compatibility of the different codes for tithing, the number of tithe laws in the Old Testament, and the possibility of applying the Old Testament datum to contemporary Christianity. Driver, Wellhausen and Weinfeld see the tithe provisions in Deuteronomy as in “serious and indeed irreconcilable conflict” with other provisions in the Pentateuch, while McConville and Averbeck show that they are compatible. Although, the issue of compatibility of the number of tithe laws in the Old Testament may still be controversial, however, the theological significance of tithing at different times and places remains the same. The different contexts or traditions for the concept of tithing in the Old Testament, whether Priestly, Deuteronomic or Prophetic, present the greatest motivation for tithing as the worship of God. This paper re–examines selected verses from Deuteronomy 12, 14, and 26 that focus on theological themes such as covenant relationship, reverence for God, obedience and blessing, fellowship and welfare. It argues that a theological interpretation of tithe laws in Deuteronomy in the light of humanitarian understanding can facilitate a better administration of law and justice in Africa.
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    Reprisal attacks : a theological reflection of Genesis 34 on reactions to evil and human wickedness in Nigeria
    (Stellenbosch University, 2014) Ajah, Miracle
    Reprisal attacks have become a global phenomenon. In Nigeria, the post-election crisis of 2011 and the increased suicide bombings in 2012, which have wasted hundreds of lives and property, are some examples. Nigeria’s Muslims and Christians mostly co-exist peacefully but periodic flare-ups of sectarian violence and consequent outbursts of retaliation have killed hundreds since independence in 1960. This article presents the results of research on some of the reactions to evil and human wickedness in Nigeria’s multi-cultural and multi-religious environment, with particular reference to reprisal attacks. Using the tool of biblical theology, the article aims to proffer possible remedies to reprisal attacks by examining their nature, sources, legitimacy, and effects in the face of political, religious and tribal crises in Nigeria – in the light of the theological ethical considerations of Genesis 34. The tribal hermeneutics of the patriarchal narratives of the Dinah episode, presented Shechem as a city inhabited by the tribe of Hamor. Seen as a weak tribe, Dinah was aggressively assaulted by the tribe of Hamor. Consequently the tribes of Simeon and Levi wreaked vengeance upon the Hamorites in Schechem, in solidarity with their sister tribe Dinah. Unfortunately this bravery of the tribes of Simeon and Levi could only earn them curses and more troubles as an allusion of a final retaliation was meted on them by the Canaanites in the final words of Jacob in Gen 49. The article argues that reprisal attacks cannot forestall or address the socio-ethical problems of evil and human wickedness. The collective roles of the media, religious and governmental bodies, through an objective dissemination of information, and mutual dialogues, including policies that would minimize or check arms proliferation can be possible remedies to evil and human wickedness in society.
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    Theological perspectives on tithing in the Old Testament and their implications for believing communities in Africa
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2006-12) Ajah, Miracle; Bosman, Hendrik; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation addresses the topic, “Theological perspectives on Tithing in the Old Testament and their implications for believing communities in Africa.” At the height of “prosperity” and “word of faith” theologies, material resources became a central issue in the contemporary Church in Africa. Opponents query the biblical basis, point to abuses such as the lifestyles of pastors, and allege the commercialization of the gospel. Dispensationalists query the case for tithing in the New Testament, and the degree of reliance on the Old Testament where the situation might be different from ours. The impact has been to provide more resources for the Church and forestall the economic dependency on the West. So the research seeks to answer the questions about the theological basis for the adoption of the tithe system as a means of mobilizing local resources in support of the Church’s programmes, among others. And the thesis of the research is that a rigorous study and theological interpretation of the different examples of tithing in the Old Testament can motivate a more reflective theological-ethical understanding of the practice of tithing amongst believing communities in Africa. In order to achieve this, chapter two presented a survey of tithing in the Ancient Near East and Old Testament. It was shown that the concept of tithing was not peculiar to Ancient Israel; it was also found in other Ancient Eastern cultures like Ancient Egypt, Old and New Babylonia, Assyria, and Ugarit. Whereas the tithe system in the Old Testament was always theologically motivated, it was not always the case in other examples from the Ancient Near East. Chapters three and four studied the theological perspectives of tithing in Numbers and Deuteronomy. Numbers presented the tithe as the wages for the cult personnel, while Deuteronomy expanded the beneficiaries to include, the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans and the widows. The Israelites were to tithe as a means of expressing worship to the LORD and obedience to the laws. Both books presented the tithe as a theological obligation on the worshipper. Chapter five was an empirical survey of tithing in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. The study revealed an overwhelming support for the adoption and continuation of the tithe system in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. Furthermore, it showed that the PCN needed to do more in helping it’s members have a holistic understanding of the theological motivation for tithing. The “worship of God” was presented as the theological cornerstone of tithing, and the “blessings of God”, as the reward of obedience. Finally, the implications and relevance of tithing for the Church in Africa was evaluated in chapter six. It was shown that by tithing, the Church in Africa would be demonstrating its gratitude for God’s prized redemptive activity in the world, its joyful participation in God’s own undying concern for the poor and destitute; that while tithing should not be pursued as a mere institutionalized legalism, it remains a sound biblical benchmark for Christian stewardship.
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    Tithing in Ugarit and the Pentateuch : possible implications for Africa
    (Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2006) Ajah, Miracle
    The thesis of this paper is stating that a rigorous study and theological interpretations of the different examples of tithing in Ugarit and the Pentateuch can motivate a more reflected theological-ethical understanding and the practice of tithing amongst believing communities in Africa. The tithe demanded that the people serve their God at a significant cost to themselves. An appeal is made to the Church in Africa to consider how to mobilize support for her projects through the application of their theological-ethical understanding of tithing.