Taiwan Church News 3344 Edition March 28 - April 3, 2016 Church Ministry Prof Gerald West Lectures On Contextual Bible Study For Minority GroupsReported by Chen Yi-hsuan On March 28 and 29, at an annual pastoral and theological lecture jointly held by Tainan Theological College andSeminary(TTCS) and Sin-Lau Hospital(SLH), a South Africa famous theologian, Senior Prof Gerald West from University of KwaZulu-Natal, was invited to deliver 4 lectures about the "Contextual Bible Study"(CBS) for minority groups like AIDS/HIV patients, abused women and the exploited people in post-colonial age. In the beginning, Prof Gerald West emphasizes the people's viewpoint is critically fundamental for CBS, because itsdevelopment is highly influenced by South Africa's black theology, contextual theology and Latin America's liberation theology. West pointed out CBS is not only a methodology in faith but also a commitment to biblical interpretation of special values. "Public society", as a key word appeared repeatedly in CBS, refers especially to the poor and the marginalized. "Thisis what 'incarnation' means," remarks West, "caring for the life of each individual!". The Bible should bring forth life, as reading the Bible should be conceived as a site of contestation and struggle to fight against the idol of death, says West. Translated by Peter Wolfe |