Abstract

HOLTER, Knut. The role of historical-critical methodology in African Old Testament studies. Old testam. essays [online]. 2011, vol.24, n.2, pp.377-389. ISSN 2312-3621.

Based on the observation that the historical-critical methodology used in mainstream biblical studies reflects 188^th to 20^th century western epistemology and hermeneutics, the article addresses the role of this methodology in African Old Testament studies as it has developed since 1960. African Old Testament studies - in relation to historical-critical methodology - is then approached in three steps: first its context, with a focus on institutional and methodological perspectives; then its content, with a focus on its preference for comparative perspectives; and finally a critical perspective, with a focus on the potential of historical-critical methodology - at least when consciously used - to express critical concerns vis-à-vis the challenge that faces Old Testament interpretative communities not only in contemporary Africa, but at all times and places, namely to be more than just a mirror of current religious, cultural and political power structures.

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