To be creative like our early Christian ancestors

Abstract

Abstract by author:

This dissertation focuses on two points. First, it demonstrates that there are certain identifiable perceptions, adaptations, alterations, modifications and allegorical expansions within the special Matthean parables. These alterations are Christian adaptations and editings, i. e. done within the early church. As such they represent a certain common outlook which the author perceives to be an expression of identifiable concepts of transmitting primitive communities with regard to Christ, eschatology, ecclesiology and social ethics. Hence, we find early church formulations in the mouth of Jesus of Nazareth

This study is a book research based essentially on the significant contributions and findings by some form critics and sociologists such as J. Jeremias, C. H. Dodd, R. Bultmann and G. Theissen. They draw the attention of this writer to the settings of the parables, sayings of Jesus, early development of the traditions, modifications and allegorical additions. Various modern biblical methods of interpretation are applied to identify these alterations and the characteristics of transmitting Christian communities

As a second step, the dissertation relates the identified pre-Matthean concerns to the Southern African context with special reference to Namibia. It affirms the same right of freedom and creativity for the Southern African Christians in interpreting the biblical texts. By altering the material at their disposal, the early Christians were free and creative. It can, therefore, be concluded that we can be engaged in a process for creativity in our socio-political, cultural and historical contexts. The dissertation highlights for the given context specific features like Christology and social ethics in the quest for relevant theology. This also serves the purpose of making the reading of the New Testament texts understandable