Dreams in the Judeo-Christian Tradition Compared With Elements of Bantu and Modern Culture
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Date
1996-02-21
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
Dreams have always been with us as far back as history can recall. The part they play
in human life has been the focus of study for scientists, sages and religious leaders of all
societies.
To understand better the scope of this study we will consider in addition to biblical
sources some elements of dreams from the Ancient Near Eastern world. God has always
spoken to people of all ages in many ways as the author of the letter to the Hebrews tells us
(Hebrews 1, 1-3). However God's self communication to people has always been mediated
through many persons and events. It is in this context that dreams from the Ancient Near East
will be studied in this paper.
When we come to these extra-biblical sources we see that even in the Ancient Near
East dreams have not gone unnoticed but have a very strong importance given to them. For
these people dreams are not just the product of an uncontrolled mind in sleep but have a big
influence in their religious and secular lives. These two are seen as being inseparable.
In the paper I will study dreams as they are found in the Judaeo-Christian scriptures
and in traditional Africa. The passages examined are what I consider as key texts however
there are many other incidences of dreams in the Bible which will go unmentioned but this
only means that they are not extensive in their treatment of dreams.The proposals for pastoral
counselling on dreams in Africa serve as reminders that no matter how good the scriptures
are they have to be contextualized in order for them to serve their purpose.
Dreams will always be central to peoples' lives and as such they deserve our attention.
More research in dreams is needed and this paper is providing only part of the tip of this
iceberg which is the study and living out of dreams in our life.
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Dreams and Christianity in Africa, Dreams in the New Testament, Dreams in Prophetic and Apocalyptic Literature, The Pentateuch: Joseph in Egypt, Dreams in the Old Testament