Translated Witness

Abstract

Chapters 3, 4, and 5 elaborate the primary understanding of Word in Bible Witness in Black Churches, as “witness.” To witness to something is to give one’s testimony, to attest to having seen or having been in the presence of something. The Bible may be described as many things— literature, poetry, symbols, and so on; however, one of the most important theological functions of the Bible is that it provides a witness of God’s historical dealing with those human beings chosen for God’s purpose. I choose the overarching theme of witness because giving testimony is a transcultural practice that crosses the boundaries of different racial, ethnic, and historical practices. Throughout the history of the Church Universal witness has given rise to the proclamation, reception, conversion, and the spread of the salvation that comes in the name of Jesus Christ. There is a profound connection between the proclamation of the message of Jesus, the reception of Jesus’ teaching, and the spreading of Jesus’ message to others. This connection is celebrated in a noted tradition of eloquence in African American preaching women and men, gospel music, glorious choirs, call-and-response singing, an enlivening worship experience in most traditional Black Church contexts, and so forth. The Bible itself points to this phenomena in Romans 10:14:

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?And how can they believe in the one in whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (NIV)