Re-reading 2 Samuel 13:1-14:33 in Tanzanian contexts : towards an HIV/AIDS Biblical Hermeneutics
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Authors
Muneja, Mussa Simon
Issue Date
2011-10
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Biblical interpretation , Contextualisation , Reader response , Feminist interpretation , Narrative , HIV/AIDS , Qualitative study , 2 Samuel 13-14 , Liberation theology , Ordinary readers
Alternative Title
Abstract
It is arguably clear that the AIDS epidemic has infected and affected our world in radical
ways. Although every sector, including Biblical Studies, has come to its ‘senses’, by realising
the urgency to respond; there still appears to be inadequate contextual engagement with
the biblical text to stimulate empowering and transformative readings of the Bible. This case
study is aimed at contributing to scholarship by determining the extent to which the church,
the academy and Persons with HIV have adhered to stigmatising interpretations. The
theoretical framework used, was the reader response method as applied within the context
of African theology because it is socially located. The data was collected through focus
groups and personal interviews. The purposive sampling included 70 participants, who were
divided into three key categories: academic theologians, university students and persons
with HIV. All participants in the study re-read 2 Samuel 13:1-14:33 in order to ascertain if
the characters therein could be relevant to the context of AIDS. The overall findings showed
that characters from 2 Samuel 13:1-14:33 can provide an empowering message in the
context of AIDS. Although this biblical text has often been misused to promote stigma, this
study confirmed that it was nonetheless possible to use the same text to unearth
redemptive and empowering interpretations. Therefore the study recommends that the
move towards an HIV/AIDS Biblical Hermeneutics invites socially engaged scholars along
with ordinary readers to read the text together for transformative purposes.
Description
Citation
Muneja, Mussa Simon (2011) Re-reading 2 Samuel 13:1-14:33 in Tanzanian contexts: towards an HIV/AIDS Biblical Hermeneutics, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/4851>