Browsing by Author "Foster, Stuart Jeremy"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An experiment in Bible translation as transcultural communication : the translation of [berith] 'covenant' into Lomwe, with a focus on Leviticus 26
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005-04) Foster, Stuart Jeremy; Van der Merwe, C. H. J.; Wendland, E. R.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old & New Testament.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The narrow question is how best to translate into Lomwe the biblical Hebrew term [berith] 'covenant'. But this question draws in many other issues when the contextual nature of communication is taken into account. Using Leviticus 26 as a focus text, this study sketches a complete arc from the impact at world view level of covenant concepts in the original to impact at worldview level among present-day Lomwe-speakers in northern Mozambique. This study defends a definition of covenant in its ancient Near Eastern context as a chosen relationship of mutual obligation guaranteed by oath sanctions. A close reading of Leviticus 26 in its literary contexts highlights the integrating role of covenant in the Old Testament. Used for Yahweh and his people, covenant language stressed that the relationship was exclusive, secure, accountable and purposeful. However, Lomwe-speakers are traditionally matrilineal with no adequate analogs to ancient covenantal customs. Protestant Christians among them, who have not had the Old Testament in their language, show by their songs that they do not have a covenantal sense of their relationship to God, but see life as a journey of escape to heaven while under the threat of divine judgment. For the present experiment, volunteers preached from a translation of Leviticus 26 to their congregations. In the resulting recorded sermons, the covenant concepts emphasized were relationship and obligation (but not chosenness or oath sanctions), and exclusivity and accountability (but not security or purpose). To compensate, the study proposes specific steps for Bible translators and those involved in the broader teaching task of the churches, especially dwelling on the potential of using muloko wa Muluku, 'people of God' as an integrating framework.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An experiment in Bible translation as transcultural communication : the translation of ‘covenant’ into Lomwe, with a focus on Leviticus 26
    (2008) Foster, Stuart Jeremy
    This study sketches a complete arc from the impact at worldview level of covenant concepts in the Hebrew of the Old Testament to impact at worldview level among present-day Lomwe-speakers in northern Mozambique. It uses the challenge of adequately translating one Biblical Hebrew word, BERITH, to address missiological issues relevant throughout Africa. It proposes muloko wa Muluku, ‘people of God’ as a powerful integrating framework. Stuart Foster is a missionary with SIM (Serving in Mission) who has worked in Mozambique for over 20 years. He serves as exegete on the Bible Society’s Lomwe translation team and is a Research Associate at the University of Stellenbosch.