reading the book of daniel in an african context

245 Pages·2014·1.38 MB·English

READING THE BOOK OF DANIEL IN AN AFRICAN CONTEXT: THE ISSUE
OF LEADERSHIP

By

MOURNA ESAIE DE-SIA LAWMAN

Submitted in accordance with the requirements for
the degree of

DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY

in the subject

OLD TESTAMENT

at the

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

PROMOTER: PROF I J J SPANGENBERG

OCTOBER 2013
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DECLARATION

I declare that READING THE BOOK OF DANIEL IN AN AFRICAN CONTEXT:
THE ISSUE OF LEADERSHIP is my own work and that all the sources that I
have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of
complete references.

…………………………………………
M E D LAWMAN
2013/10/31
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SUMMARY

This thesis concerns the issues of leadership in the African context, but it
derives its emphasis from the stories in Daniel 1–6 in the Old Testament, in
order to comment on leadership styles, competencies, skills and the state of
leadership in Africa. It is a reading from a specific context, that of someone
living in present times in the Republic of Chad.

The research focused mainly on the following issues: What can we learn from
the stories concerning leadership in Daniel 1–6? Who are the leaders in these
chapters? What is the quality of their leadership? In trying to answer these
questions, the researcher had to consider the following: How was the book
read and interpreted in the past? How is it currently interpreted? Looking at
past research, the focus fell on: (1) the pre-critical period, (2) the historical-
critical period, and (3) the period in which modern literary studies abound.
Following the research history a personal reading and interpretation of the
stories in Daniel 1–6 are presented. A narrative analysis is carried out and the
plots of the different stories are analysed according to the quinary scheme (the
initial situation, the complication, transforming action, the denouement and the
final situation). The focus falls on the narrator’s presentation of the main
characters and what readers can learn from these stories about leadership.
Although there is attention to how scholars in the past and present have
interpreted the Book of Daniel, the researcher tries to present a new
interpretation by carrying out a contextual reading focusing on leadership. This
aspect did not receive much attention in previous research. What is gained by
this reading is then applied to the situation in the modern Republic of Chad.
First, there is a detailed study of current writing by scholars as well as what
they are saying about leadership. Following this, the African and Chadian
contexts are considered. The final chapter synthesises all the issues that have
been discussed.

Key terms:
African Christianity; African continent; leadership in Africa; leadership in the
Republic of Chad; the history of Chad; African Protestantism; colonisation
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(impact); the Book of Daniel; historical-critical studies; the Maccabean
hypothesis; missionary influences; modern literary approaches; narrative
criticism; pre-critical readings of Daniel; quinary scheme; reception history;
Daniel and leadership.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Words fail me in expressing my deepest gratitude to Professor Izak (Sakkie)
Spangenberg, my promoter, who guided me through the research.

Professor Madipoane Masenya, the former Chair of the Department of Old
Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, and M. Malesa Masenya
(AKUA) for their advice encouragement and their special support.

Professor Elelwani Farisani, current Chair of the Department of Biblical and
Ancient Studies at Unisa for his advice and encouragement.

Gratitude is also due to all the members of the Department of Biblical and
Ancient Studies who appointed me as a research assistant during the period
when I was writing the thesis.

I am indebted to the Monty Community Church in Australia for their generous
financial support in furthering my studies at Unisa.

I owe gratitude to the staff of Australian Mission Tidings (AMT), particularly to
Keen Newtown, Pastor Brian Harper, Don Fleming and all the staff members
for their special intervention.

I also owe gratitude to Ian and Joan Stacy, Roland and Robyn Heazlewood,
David Ware, Bill Lowe, Arthur Sweeney, Pastor Peter Connor, Dr Peter W. Law
and the elders of Mueller Community Church and the staff of Mueller College in
Brisbane (Queensland); Pastor Phillip Gummerson and the elders of
Riverstone Community Church in Sydney (New South Wales). James and
Rachel Wheeler, Lawrie and Elaine Meers in Melbourne (Victoria) for their
hospitality and the moments we spend together.

Words cannot express my gratitude to Laurie and Margaret Cowell (Sydney)
for facilitating my research through the former Missionaries in Chad living in the
state of South Wales. I am indebted to all of them who were available to share
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their experiences with me, especially Laurie Cowell. In spite of his age, he was
there to assist me in travelling around New South Wales and the territory of
Canberra. He facilitated the contact with former missionaries in Chad: Neil and
Neralie Clark, Richard and Maxis Saxby, Robert and Judy Colin, and others
who were interested in Chad.

To Alan and Lorraine Wheeler, the former mobiliser of NCC, Graham and
Elisabeth Young, and Pastor Garth Graham, the responders and current
mobilisers of Montmorency Community Church in Melbourne (Victoria State)
for the special effort made to finalise the research. I hope that the end result
will bring joy to all of us.

To Christian Assemblies (Route de Corniche, Bonne Nouvelle, Shalom,
Bongor), I will not forget your remarkable encouragement. The result and joy
are yours as well.

I would like to thank the International Church of Pretoria for their prayers and
contribution by giving me the opportunity to minister to them.

I would like to thank Dr Reuben van Rensburg Principal of South Africa
Theological Seminary (SATS) and staff for their support.

Recognition is also due to the Assemblées Chrétiennes au Tchad (Christian
Assemblies in Chad), and École Superieure de Theologie Evangelique
(Shalom Evangelical School of Theology) where I served as General Secretary
of the National Committee and as a lecturer.

I would like to express my thanks to Entente des Eglises et Missions
Evangeliques au Tchad (EEMET) and the Fellowship National Institution.

To Joseph Djimrangar Dadnadji (Prime Minister), Joel Benaindo Tatola, Jean
Bawoyeu Alingue, Enoch Dayang Menwa, Pahimi Kalzeubet Deubet, Jean
Bernard Padare, Djerassem Le Bemadjiel and all other Christians in Chad who
have a heart for political leadership. May the thesis encourage your vocation.
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I would also like to thank the following:
• Professor Gert Prinsloo, my mentor in Semitic languages at the University
of Pretoria.
• Ms Elsabe Nell, subject librarian for Theology at UNISA, for her support.
• Reverends Agouna A. Deciat (spiritual father), Nadoumngar Mardochee
(Kotazo), my personal brother and companion, Agolom D. Isaac
(Bagoroma), Souina Potifar (Zong-Warna), Djaoussou Clement Lacky,
Atchenemou H.. Clement, Dassidi Ndirimou, Garba Aser, Dikoloum
Magourna, Bimba R Josue, Ahouna M. Osee, Guiga M. Paul, Payimi
Esther, Bianta P. Pricille, Rachel Gabgue, Epaphras Kakesse, Baba Foulzi,
Agani Atchade Joseph and Mupenda Jules for your sacrifices and
companionship.
• Brothers indeed Banboh Elvam Tites, Bechir Madet and Levy Oung-vang
for their support and diverse interventions.
• My friends, brothers and sisters in Christ in South Africa, Chad and
overseas, for your tireless moral and material support.
• Dr Abel L. Ndjerareou (my mentor). Director of Transafrican Educational
Network (TEN). I still have a long way to go with you until I become mature
in Old Testament where you directed me to be, and the task you gave me
in leadership.
• His Excellency Mahamoud Adam Bechir, Ambassador for Chad in Pretoria,
and his staff for moral and financial support during the last period.
• To Rahama my companion and kids, papa Daouda Sia and Naomie, papa
Saibou Paul and Marguerite, and papa Pierre Allo and Dede Rouda, all the
brothers and sisters and whole relatives, you deserved the best. I would
like to say thanks for their patience and sacrifice.
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DEDICATION

To my companion and brother, Rev. Akonso Matco Mikal.
Death destroyed our friendship and dreams.
To Christian Fellowship in Chad
To Chadians and African political and religious leaders
To those who have a sense of leadership
To those who are concerned with leadership
To those who are struggling with leadership
I dedicate this study

M E D LAWMAN
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ABREVIATIONS

ACT Assemblées Chrétiennes au Tchad
(Christian Assemblies in Chad)
AMT Australian Missionary Tidings
AD Anno Domini (Christian Era)
ANC African National Congress
BCE Before the Common Era/ Before Christian Era
BCM Black Consciousness Movement
BEGST Bangui Evangelical Graduate School of Theology
CA Constituent Assembly
CE Common Era/Christian Era
CEFOD Centre de Formation et de Développement
CETA Conférence des Eglises de Toute l’Afrique
(All African Churches Conference)
Chap(s) Chapter(s)
Chr Chronicles (1 & 2 Chronicles)
CNS Conference Nationale Souveraine
(National Sovereign Conference)
CODESA Conference for Democratic South Africa
CSM Conseil Supérieur Militaire
(Supreme Military Council)
D Deuteronomist (Pentateuch source)
Dn Daniel
DRC Democratic Republic of Congo
Dt Deuteronomy
E Elohist (Pentateuch source)
Eccl Ecclesiastes
Est Esther
ESTES Ecole Superieure de Theologie Evangelique – Shalom
(Shalom Evangelical School of Theology: SEST)
Ex Exodus
FAP Forces Armées Populaires
(People’s Armed Forces)
FAN Forces Armées du Nord
(Armed Forces of the North)
FROLINAT Front de Libération National du Tchad
(National Liberation Front of Chad)
Gn Genesis
GUNT Gouvernement d’Union Nationale de Transition
HTS Hervormde Teologiese Studies
IMF International Monetary Fund (Fond Monetaire International)
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Is Isaiah
J Yahwist (Pentateuch source)
JAI Journal Afrique International
JEDP Yahwist, Elohist, Deuteronomist and Priestly source
Josh Joshua
Jr Jeremiah
Ki Kings (1 & 2 Kings)
Lv Leviticus
MDM Mass Democratic Movement
MNRCS Mouvement National pour la Révolution Culturelle et Sociale
(National Movement for the Cultural and Social Revolution)
MPLT Mouvement Populaire pour la Libération du Tchad
(Popular Movement for the Liberation of Chad)
MPS Mouvement Patriotique du Salut
(Patriotic Salvation Movement)
NC National Conference
NCC Newtown Community Church (Australia)
Nm Numbers
Neh Nehemiah
OAU Organisation of African Unity
P Priestly source (Pentateuch source)
PPT Parti Progressiste Tchadien
(Chadian Progressive Party)
Pr Proverbs
Ps Psalms
OT Old Testament
OTE Old Testament Essays
RDP Reconstruction and Development Programme
Sam Samuel (1 & 2 Samuel)
SEST Shalom Evangelical School of Theology
TEF Theological Educational Funds
TEN Transafrican Education Network
(Réseau Transafricain de Formation)
UN United Nations
UNIR Union Nationale pour l’Indépendance et la Révolution
(National Union for the Independence and Revolution)
UNISA University of South Africa
US United States (of America)
USA United States of America
USD United States Dollar
v, (vv) Verse (verses)
WB World Bank (Banque Mondiale)