Browsing by Author "Njue, Emilio"

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    Jesus' Discussion with the Pharisees on Divorce (Mk 10:1-12) and Wa-Embu Community.
    (Tangaza University College, 2001-01) Njue, Emilio
    The aim and purpose of this essay is to highlight the Markan understanding of divorce and its applicability to Wa-Embu Christians. In this millennium, divorce continues to rouse passions within the Wa-Embu. Some Wa-Embu Christians hold that, Jesus allowed divorce whereas others argue that, He did not. The author has seen that, in contemporary Wa-Embu community, there are many marriages going on in the Church. This apparently shows that the Church is growing. Nevertheless, after observing critically, he has realised that, as more Wa-Embu Christians are wed, the more they divorce. Some Wa-Embu Christians have even obtained a civil divorce, others have re-married, and others are questioning the permanence of marriage. This is causing confusion among some Wa- Embu Christians who are asking whether it is possible to achieve both fidelity in discipleship and authenticity in their marriage life. Thus divorce has become an important pastoral issue At the same time, this question about divorce has been discussed a lot in contemporary ethics. In order to make Jesus' instruction intelligible; the author's methodology will be descriptive, comparative, and exegetical. He will try to interpret Jesus' words within their historical context. He will avoid anachronism in order to understand Jewish and Roman teaching on divorce current in Jesus' time The author's view shall be relegated to the concluding part. The author aims to show the relevance and applicability of Jesus' teaching for the life of the Wa-Embu Christians today on the issue of divorce. He hopes that this essay will make and an adaptation and an inculturation process a concrete reality. This is because "today neither Wa-Embu traditions nor Christian traditions concerning marriage are observed." The author has arranged this essay into three major chapters. In the first chapter, he has treated the context and exegesis of Jesus discussion on divorce with the Pharisees. He has explained where the text lies, who were the Pharisees, the concept of divorce for both Jews and Romans of Jesus' time. He has also interpreted the text critically verse by verse. The second chapter deals with Mark's theology of divorce This is where he has explained how Mark presents Jesus, the result from exegesis as well as the meaning and importance of Jesus teaching on divorce for Mark and his community. The third chapter deals with applicability of Jesus' teaching for modern Wa-Embu community. It is here where he has tried to do some adaptation and inculturation. He has tried to show how Wa-Embu traditionally controlled divorce and what modern Wa-Embu Christians can learn from that tradition. Ephantus