Africa Bible Commentary: A One-Volume Commentary Written by 70 African Scholars

by Zondervan, John R. Stott and Rubert K. Aboagye-Mensah (Foreword), Tokunboh Adeyemo (Editor)

The Africa Bible Commentary is a unique publishing event—the first one-volume Bible commentary produced in Africa by African theologians to meet the needs of African pastors, students, and lay leaders. Interpreting and applying the Bible in the light of African culture and realities, it furnishes powerful and relevant insights into the biblical text that transcend Africa in their significance. The Africa Bible Commentary gives a section-by-section interpretation that provides a contextual, readable, affordable, and immensely useful guide to the entire Bible. Readers around the world will benefit from and appreciate the commentary’s fresh insights and direct style that engage both heart and mind. Key features: · Produced by African biblical scholars, in Africa, for Africa—and for the world · Section-by-section interpretive commentary and application · More than 70 special articles dealing with topics of key importance in to ministry in Africa today, but that have global implications · 70 African contributors from both English- and French-speaking countries · Transcends the African context with insights into the biblical text and the Christian faith for readers worldwide

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christian, Reference, Africa, Biblical Studies

1632 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2006

About the author

Zondervan is an international Christian media and publishing company. Zondervan is a founding member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). They are a part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. and has multiple imprints including Zondervan Academic, Zonderkidz, Blink, and Editorial Vida. Zondervan is the commercial rights holder for the New International Version (NIV) Bible in North America.

Reviews

[Michael Philliber · Rating 5 out of 5]

For years I have read and contemplated Scripture from within a western framework with my readings reinforced by western scholars and commentators. Overall it has been healthy and wholesome. Yet I know, after experiencing two years in Turkey, that to always see with western eyes and hear with western ears can lead to, at the least, stilted views; and at the worst, self-congratulating groupthink and elevating Americanism. So I was delighted to pick up a copy of the 1632 page hardback "Africa Bible Commentary: A One-Volume Commentary Written by 70 African Scholars." This volume's compilation was led by general editor Tokunboh Adeyemo, who was general secretary of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa, but has since died (may he rest in Christ's peace; and rise, body and soul, on Christ's Day!). It has a view toward instructing fellow Christians, aiding pastors, and giving significant substance to Bible teachers.

"Africa Bible Commentary" is a simply formatted compendium of systematically compiled exegesis on Scripture that takes the Holy Writ seriously. This seriousness is highlighted in the two forwards, one written by John Stott and the other by Dr. Aboagye-Mensah. It has a mild Baptist and dispensational flavor in places, but as Dr. Stott observed, its "foundation is biblical, its perspective African, and its approach to controversial questions is balanced" (vii). I have used it several times when mulling over various passages, and found its tone to be simultaneously gracious and genuine.

If you're interested in adding an important single-volume commentary to your library, or desire to hear from Bible scholars outside of your western and American context, "Africa Bible Commentary" would be a valuable asset. If you're wondering what to get for your favorite pastor, seminarian or Bible teacher as gift "that keeps on giving," then you will want to consider this commentary. I gladly and heartily recommend this book.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am enthralled by this book. What a tremendous accomplishment! By Africans for Africa, allowing the rest of us to listen in. Absolutely wonderful. I cannot encourage everyone enough - especially if you love the Bible and Africa - to read this book.

The articles on concerns to Africans (and the world at large) are exceptionally good. Topics range from Female Genital Mutilation to Bible Translation in Africa. 70 articles are included. Overviews of each book of the Bible are helpful, and each book of the Bible ends with recommended reading for a student to continue study. It is also important to note this is a passage by passage commentary as opposed to a verse by verse and doesn't get into textual/ critical concerns.

I have to say that specifically, when dealing with the topics of political upheaval, suffering, and injustice, I find the Africa perspective prescient beyond what is typically found in Western work. Read it for this reason alone.

Everything was done in a manner to make this simple and accessible, so don't feel you have to be a seminarian or pastor - this commentary will be helpful to anyone who wants to know the Bible better and who wants to know Africa better.

Ever since I heard of this project years ago, I've been excited about it. I decided to purchase it for the following reasons: 1) It's a great opportunity to support the project and the excellent ministries that got it done; 2) I recently decided to read the Bible all the way through again, and am now planning on reading this commentary alongside; 3) I want to get to know Africa better because I've always been interested in Africa and because we are considering African adoption; and 4) This book is an excellent reference that anyone in our famiy can use to enhance their Bible study.

[Nakhati Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the African Bible Commentary because of its practical approach to the scriptures. The commentary consistently provides an accurate summary of the passage, often accompanied by a relevant challenge. Since it is written for an African context, the content relates to cultural ideas and practices. In my writing for a Central Asian context, the insights of this commentary are often the first to turn to when I want to make an application to the culture around us.
I would recommend this commentary, especially if one is dealing with cultural issues that the Bible can help with.
Theologically, this commentary is limited in its complete coverage of textual challenges; however, it consistently presents an accurate theological approach to the text.

Note: Currently-reading means that I consistently use it in my Bible studies.

[Peter Simpson]

I'm pst. Peter M. Simpson Jr, a Liberian residing in Liberia. Thanks to this great entity for job well done over the years to give this knowledge to the world. I saw this book with a friend pastor and I really want a copy but hard to find in my country and I may not have the money to buy if found it due to the price.
I will appreciate if you can send me a copy to read on the internet to make me equip as a pastor. Thanks you for the empowerment.

[Chris Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me 9 years to read but a worthwhile experience. As it is written by many different scholars, you tend to get some that you enjoy more than others. It was interesting seeing the African perspectives on the text but a lot of the time it is generic and is a solid Bible commentary for anyone wherever you are in the world

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my standard, close-at-hand references as I read and study the Bible. Update 2013: still so thankful for this book - I always encounter such hope in its pages.

[Dennis]

I purchased this book as a reference book and will never read it in the classic sense