Report from Olga Lucia Alvarez Benjumea- African National Meeting in Medellin, Columbia

Some contributions of the African National Meeting, Medellín 18-24/11

Olga Lucia Alvarez Benjumea

The Gospel of Christ is a policy choice to follow Christ is a political choice. I am not referring to any party, least of Christianity as such. Christianity has nothing of Christ, is a mere ideology, power struggle and lies "messianic" and assembly are continue to take advantage, "powerful" civil and religious of all time.

"The Afro-descendants is not a matter of skin, is a culture of African descent, is an option, a way of living, a way of being.Colombia is a country that indigenous African. "(1)

What it means to be African? Consider for a moment, what is said, what we say, what we believe or would have us believe, about being African?

Contributions of the African National Conference (Medellín June 18-24/11)

"- Afro Being a political choice.
- Implications for People and Community Reading the Bible in African perspective.
- You have to link the action of God in world history.
- Need to restore historical consciousness.
- Make the break maps.
In Gen 10:8, we find the first powerful man on earth.
-In Judah is a colony from the eighth century Ethiopian (African).
-In this colony are some Prophets (Zephaniah 1:1)
- Zephaniah is found by the 640 ac (peasant revolution time of Amun)
- A part of the community is to serve the monarchy and the community who oppose the monarchy in this part belongs Zephaniah-
(Mitochondrial Eve) "

To make a Reading Community People of the Bible is not enough to read and reflect, in a popular sector, believing that was a Reading Community People of the Bible. The LPCB, there are changes that are live and feel. It is opening the doors of Life and the Bible. LPCB changes us, transforms us, liberates us. This tool is not in the academies, or libraries, is the life of yesterday and today made present in our reality.

We can not do without contextualizing LPCB, text, without being involved in the story, as subjects = craftsmen. "The architects are more inclusive with the possibility of recognition and inclusion. It expresses the dynamics, the potential that human beings have for the historical building.

It's not just the one in the text but the text that builds community and read the text because it is the architect hermeneutical suspicion.. "(2) We must find the entries in the text, hold the keys (" We share different keys as people, places, symbols, relationships, values, feelings, dreams, ideas, memories, bodies, language, power, problems, attitudes, etc.. With them we can open to life and the lives of the Bible discover that hidden, lost, denied, etc. ") (3) with keys digging, crawling, wondering, guessing, observing, comparing, questioning, imagining, intuiting. The Word of God speaks and continues to speak to the simple.

This is done in community, group, working together, adults, women, men, youth, children / as the city field, a worker, professional, religious / a, each in his own mind can perceive, the contribution of the word, either from the Hermeneutics of gender or the African perspective, which is what we are all / os involved.


"The Afro has been invisible in the Bible readings own Western world. Many of these readings obscure the African presence because of superficial analysis that does not delve into the biblical texts intentionally. So, before we enter the text important to begin identifying the elements characteristic of the Hebrew canon compared to the canon of the Septuagint. "
Proceedings of the National African Encounter, Medellín June 18-24/11

Any Bible text can work in our case, we have deepened the text of Nehemiah Chapter 5 and the Book of Ruth. Here, some comments and betting:

Economic:
What led the people of Nehemiah to the economic crisis?
How long will last this situation?
What are the people to react?

Social:
Why are women in charge?
Why does the text mention the presence of women in the protest?

Politics:
What motivates Nehemiah to deceive the people?
What interests defends Nehemiah?

Theological
How part of who God is?
What is the God of Nehemiah?
What is the God of the people?
In which religion influences for operators restored land and cancel the debts?
Why are women who can be rescued by others?
Why women enslaved man worth less than the enslaved?

Values ​​of African Communities: Among the highlights:

Hospitality
Joy
Fortaleza,
Courage
Dignity
Resistance
Talent
love of life, solidarity,
Delivery
Release
Resilience
Welcome,
Honesty, perseverance,
Perseverance
commitment
love,
Spirituality
Courage
Humility
Responsibility


If there is interest in learning and deepen this methodology for pastoral work in grassroots communities in the parish or House / Church, please contact:
CEDEBI: Carrera 41 Nro.13-41
Phone: 2323901 Teusaquillo Barrio,
Bogota-Colombia
NOTES:

1) Contribution of Emigdio P. Cuesta (afro) at the National Afro Medellín June 18-24/11
2) Contributions of Afro-Medellin National Meeting in June 18-24/11
3) Contributions of the Community Method of Reading the Bible People. Author: Anibal Canaveral, biblical scholar, member of CEDEBI (Collective Ecumenical Bible scholar).