HOKMA CONGRESS 2012

 "SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES"

 

ABUJA, NIGERIA, 25-29 SEPTEMBER 2012

Congress meeting venue, housing/accommodation in Abuja will be communicated via future mailings from Hokma House

 

For inquiries, contact: Secretary, SBS @ Hokma House, P. O. Box 13155, Jos 930001, Plateau State, Nigeria. E-mail: hokmahouse_nigeria@yahoo.com

 

SOCIETY OF BIBLICALSCHOLARS (SBS)

AFRICAN FORUM FOR BIBLICAL SCHOLARSHIP

 

This inaugural congress seeks to bring together (Christian) biblical scholars from Africa and around the world for the common task of searching the scriptures-an exercise that well has an aura of antiquity. The congress marks a new stage in the long search for meaning from ancient biblical texts that culminates in today's multiple contexts. The task is conceived with a view to rediscovering the biblical faith and Christian tradition in all their fullness and freshness for each generation, via the interpreted text in its multiple ancient contexts.

Searching the scriptures not only requires all the human powers that one possesses or can possibly muster, but also covers an expansive area of human life and thought-the very "stuff" of civilization, as defined by various human or social institutions and processes. Present-day Africa reflects in many ways the diverse social/historical realities of the ancient world of the Bible. The emergent "situation" has a religious dimension, with which social science/religion scholars have long been enthralled. But Africa equally is confronted by the radical challenges of (post-)modernity, such that these realities-African "situation" / "institutions"-are now defined by this new context. These often unspoken concerns shape current African discourses.

Historical realities must inform our interpretive task. Historical tools of exegesis/criticism & interpretation must meaningfully serve the needs of faith. If Africa's problems are biblically rooted, while culturally related, then their solution must be sought via biblical study.

The international African forum, SBS, engages with the task of searching the scriptures on all fronts, knowing full well that such critical engagement with the Bible is well worth the time, effort and resources expended on it-beyond merely "surfing" the bible!