NBTS FOURTH INAUGURAL LECTURE

Global God and local languages: Decolonizing Bible translation for Africa.

We stand at a pivotal moment in the history of translating the Bible and Christian faith for Africa (Walls 1976; Walls 1978; Mojola 2020). Africa is a tapestry of diverse civilizations and languages, a richness that intensely impacts the translation and reception of the biblical message. In many African communities, the Bible serves as the sole surviving written record, offering a deep fountain of wisdom, guidance, and hope.

However, colonial legacies and Western theological biases have influenced the translation of the Bible in Africa (Kato 1975; Mbembe 2001). The tendency to rely on English versions as source texts rather than the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek has further compounded the influence. The colonial legacies are also palpable in African church hymns, architecture, costumes, and practices. Consequently, there is a continued need for authentic translation that resonates with ordinary Africans’ everyday experiences.

Decolonizing Bible translation and Christianity in Africa has been a persistent concern since the last century, with its roots in the preceding era. Following Europe’s conquest of Africa in the nineteenth century, missionaries translated the Bible into various African languages. These missionaries relied on indigenous consultants to grasp the target language and assist in translation tasks. The prevailing practice was to translate primarily into the most widely spoken languages or lingua franca of the time (Mojola 2020).

Decolonizing Bible translation and the Christian faith entails a commitment to fidelity to the source text while simultaneously addressing African Christians’ spiritual and intellectual needs. Authentic translation of Scripture empowers African Christians to reclaim their theological independence and establish a profound connection with the Divine within their own language and cultural frameworks.

This discourse serves as a plea for sustained action. The aim of the lecture is to discuss Bible translation and contextualization of its message for the African context. The work also highlights the imperative of the ongoing decolonization efforts while recognizing and integrating African spirituality and culture. It is anticipated that the lecture will stimulate extensive discussion regarding the enduring necessity to decolonize Bible translation and the Christian faith, enabling African communities to reclaim ownership of their spiritual narratives and heritage.

You can join the lecture on Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at the Multi-purpose hall of The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso or connect online here

Thanks and God bless you all-round.

REV. PROF. OLUSAYO BOSUN OLADEJO

B.A. Ed. [Ilorin], B.Th., M.Th. [SBTS/NBTS], M.A. [Ibadan], Ph.D. [NBTS]

Professor of Biblical Studies [Old Testament Lang. /Lit.]

Department of Biblical Studies,

Faculty of Theological Studies,

The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso