Cet enseignement propose une introduction complète au livre vétérotestamentaire des Proverbes dans une perspective théologique évangélique. En s’appuyant sur le prologue de Proverbes 1:1–6, l’étude examine la question de l’auteur, la structure littéraire, les caractéristiques poétiques et les grands thèmes théologiques du livre. Une attention particulière est accordée au concept du mashal dans la tradition sapientiale hébraïque, au rôle de l’attribution salomonienne et à l’histoire rédactionnelle de la collection. L’introduction explore les sept grandes divisions structurelles des Proverbes, analyse les trois principaux types de parallélisme hébraïque — synonymique, antithétique et synthétique — et retrace onze fils thématiques récurrents qui parcourent l’ensemble du livre. L’analyse théologique se concentre sur la crainte de l’Éternel comme principe fondateur de la sagesse, la personnification de la sagesse dans Proverbes 8 et la portée christologique de la sagesse au sein de l’herméneutique évangélique. L’étude considère également la pertinence missiologique des Proverbes, notamment dans les contextes interculturels où les traditions proverbiales servent de ponts pour la communication de l’Évangile. Le cours conclut en affirmant la pertinence durable des Proverbes pour la formation de disciples, la formation morale et l’éducation théologique, soutenant que leur tradition sapientiale trouve son accomplissement ultime dans la personne et l’œuvre de Jésus-Christ, qui est la sagesse de Dieu incarnée.
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the Old Testament book of Proverbs from an evangelical theological perspective. Drawing upon the prologue in Proverbs 1:1–6, the study examines the question of authorship, the literary structure, the poetic features, and the major theological themes of the book. Particular attention is devoted to the concept of the mashal within the Hebrew wisdom tradition, the role of Solomonic attribution, and the redactional history of the collection. The introduction explores the seven major structural divisions of Proverbs, analyzes the three primary types of Hebrew parallelism—synonymous, antithetical, and synthetic—and traces eleven recurring thematic threads that run throughout the entire book. The theological analysis focuses on the fear of the Lord as the foundational principle of wisdom, the personification of wisdom in Proverbs 8, and the Christological significance of wisdom within evangelical hermeneutics. The study also considers the missiological relevance of Proverbs, particularly in intercultural contexts where proverbial traditions serve as bridges for communicating the Gospel. The course concludes by affirming the enduring relevance of Proverbs for discipleship, moral formation, and theological education, arguing that its wisdom tradition finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the incarnate wisdom of God.
Keywords: Book of Proverbs, wisdom literature, evangelical theology, Hebrew parallelism, mashal, fear of the Lord, Solomonic authorship, Old Testament missiology, Christological interpretation.
Money is among the most prominent subjects addressed in the biblical canon, yet it remains a perennial source of theological confusion in both ecclesiastical and secular contexts. Discourse on money within contemporary Christianity has polarized around two distorted extremes: the prosperity gospel, which treats material wealth as the guaranteed sign of genuine faith, and the poverty gospel, which treats material renunciation as the condition of authentic discipleship. This work contends that a sound Evangelical biblical theology of money must navigate a faithful middle course between these extremes, grounded in the full canonical witness of Scripture and oriented by a christological hermeneutic. Drawing on the creation theology of Genesis, the covenantal economics of the Torah, the practical wisdom of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, the prophetic critique of economic injustice, the radical kingdom economics of Jesus in the Gospels, and the apostolic teaching on stewardship and generosity in the Epistles, this study presents a comprehensive account of God’s perspective on money and wealth. It articulates five governing principles of faithful Christian stewardship, explores the missional dimensions of economic life, and offers extensive practical implications for the twenty-first-century Church. The expected outcome is a convergence of orthodoxy and orthopraxy in financial matters, conducted for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.
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Drawing on a study of the original Greek terms — notably μεριμνάω (merimnaō), προσευχή (proseuché), εἰρήνη (eirēnē), and λογίζομαι (logizomai) — the biblical teaching demonstrates that this peace rests upon a twofold dynamic: on the one hand, the sovereign action of God who guards hearts and minds in Jesus Christ (verses 6-7) and, on the other hand, the responsibility of the human being who must discipline thought and put apostolic teaching into practice (verses 8-9). The study integrates contributions from systematic theology, New Testament linguistics, and practical theology to show that biblical peace (shalom) transcends the mere absence of conflict and constitutes a state of fullness grounded in the covenant with God. The lecture concludes by highlighting the pastoral, pedagogical, and andragogical implications of this Pauline teaching for the contemporary Church.
Cet enseignement biblique propose une analyse exégétique et théologique approfondie de Philippiens 4:6-9, passage dans lequel l’apôtre Paul expose les fondements d’une paix profonde accessible au croyant. En s’appuyant sur l’étude des termes grecs originaux — notamment μεριμνάω (merimnaō), προσευχή (proseuché), εἰρήνη (eirēnē) et λογίζομαι (logizomai) —, l’article démontre que cette paix repose sur une double dynamique : d’une part, l’action souveraine de Dieu qui garde les cœurs et les pensées en Jésus-Christ (versets 6-7) et, d’autre part, la responsabilité de l’être humain qui doit discipliner sa pensée et mettre en pratique l’enseignement apostolique (versets 8-9). L’étude intègre les apports de la théologie systématique, de la linguistique néotestamentaire et de la théologie pratique pour montrer que la paix biblique (shalom) transcende la simple absence de conflit et constitue un état de plénitude fondé sur l’alliance avec Dieu. Cet exposé conclut en soulignant les implications pastorales, pédagogiques et andragogiques de cet enseignement paulinien pour l’Église contemporaine.
Shalom ! Souhaiteriez-vous vous joindre à nous en ligne chaque dimanche ? Veuillez nous indiquer votre pays de résidence et nous vous enverrons le lien approprié pour la rencontre sur TEAMS. Nous sommes présentement en train d’étudier systématiquement l’épître aux Philippiens dans son contexte missiologique. Au plaisir d’apprendre ensemble aux pieds du divin Maître !
La rencontre sur l’évangélisation et mission tous les dimanches sur TEAMS à 19 h heure du Cameroun – 18 h heure de la Côte d’Ivoire – 10 h heure de la Californie – 13 h heure de New York – Étude systématique de l’épître aux Philippiens dans son contexte missiologique.
Shalom ! Souhaiteriez-vous vous joindre à nous en ligne chaque dimanche ? Veuillez nous indiquer votre pays de résidence et nous vous enverrons le lien approprié pour la rencontre sur TEAMS. Nous sommes présentement en train d’étudier systématiquement l’épître aux Philippiens dans son contexte missiologique. Au plaisir d’apprendre ensemble aux pieds du divin Maître !
La rencontre sur l’évangélisation et mission tous les dimanches sur TEAMS à 19 h heure du Cameroun – 18 h heure de la Côte d’Ivoire – 10 h heure de la Californie – 13 h heure de New York – Étude systématique de l’épître aux Philippiens dans son contexte missiologique.
Madagascar is a country that deserves more attention than other African countries. It is an extensive reservoir of under-tapped wisdom. The Malagasy have known not to sacrifice their linguistic values on the altar of modernity. Language is the horse of culture. We then understand the cultural richness of the big island, which is manifested, among other things, by the density of its proverbs.
The one that caught our attention here relates to a fact that, at first glance, may seem trivial. It’s no surprise that a chick has trouble eating a grasshopper. As a keen observer, the Malagasy sage only draws a lesson from it for more complex social situations. When you have an important business, whatever the field, you must use substantial resources. It assumes that one did serious evaluation work beforehand to avoid embarking on a futile adventure. But, when the gain is considerable, we will not skimp on financial, material, or human resources.
This proverb is reminiscent of the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl in Matthew 13:44-46:
« 44 The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field. A man discovers it: he hides it again, goes away, overflowing with joy, sells everything he owns, and buys this field.45 This is what the kingdom of heaven still looks like: a merchant is looking for beautiful pearls. 46 When he has found one of great value, he goes and sells everything he has and buys this precious pearl. »
These two proverbs refer to the same reality. In both cases, a person finds an asset of great value beyond his assets. She decides to sell all her possessions to acquire what is more precious. The phrase « the kingdom of heaven is like… » introduces these parables and clearly outlines their parameters. We are here in a spiritual context. Faced with eternal life with all its values and blessings, the ephemeral goods of this world are no match. Of course, the purpose of this proverb is not to teach that eternal salvation is linked to the dispossession of material wealth but to stick only to that which is spiritual. It is instead a question of priority, of the ability to overcome the pitfalls on the way to the kingdom of God. Other biblical texts, like Matthew 5:29-30 or 6:33, Rom. 8:18, Phil. 3:7-8 can shed some light on this. It is appropriate to sacrifice goods or privileges when they constitute an obstacle to the glorious riches of the kingdom of heaven.
If the context naturally lends itself to a spiritual interpretation, the principle that emerges from this pericope is also valid in other areas of social life. For example, Africa is being shaken badly now by corporate groups, organizations, and movements that make no secret of their purpose to sow terror or destabilize regions, nations, or a large group of countries. Someone who carefully considers the strike forces of the terrorist groups and the means at their disposal is entitled to wonder whether the national and international communities are investing the necessary ressources. In addition, extreme poverty rages on the African continent and fuels insecurity.
No country in the world, however small, is to be neglected; but seeing the more than a hundred billion of euros invested in Ukraine (https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303432/total-bilateral-aid-to-ukraine) compared to what is injected into a country like the Democratic Republic of Congo , or the countries of the Sahel, to name a few, there is reason to be doubtful.
The future of the world will not happen without the African continent. By the year 2100, Africa will be the most populous continent. Its resources are infinitely more significant than what is communicated by geologists or economists. The proof is that no year passes without discovering new deposits of mining, gas, or oil resources on the continent. The Chinese, who have been very active there in recent years, quickly understood this, even if it is not always in the interest of Africa. President Joe Biden’s recent meeting with African Heads of State is a good start. However, a more mature, holistic strategy involving African leaders is needed.
A collegial action will make it possible to realize, for example, that it is vital to carry out strategic activities at the local, national, continental, and international levels and to mobilize resources far more significant than those announced. Indeed, a ready-made solution outside the continent imposed on African leaders with unilateral conditions will never achieve the desired objectives. However, the continent’s human and mineral resources are so crucial that investing today to build stronger and more peaceful nations will generate infinitely more wealth for both nationals and the international community in the medium and long term. Only how many ears hear the advice of Malagasy friends? How many strategists still consider the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Today is a special day for Christianity. Many non-Christians have also adopted Christmas out of solidarity or for personal convenience. It, therefore, seems appropriate to us to stimulate reflection on the deep meaning of this festival and its impact on humanity in the light of Luke 2:13-14: « Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God, and saying, « Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. » (NIV)
These words follow the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ and his solemn announcement to the shepherds who tended their flocks in the vicinity of Bethlehem. It was at night. The timing could not be better to announce the birth of the Light of the world. However, the symbol does not stop there because the choice of shepherds seems highly disconcerting. Indeed, the shepherds did not have a good reputation at that time. People perceived them as dirty, dishonest, and unreliable. They were, therefore, on the margins of society. But curiously, it is on them and not on the political authorities, the religious leaders, or the business men and women that the choice of God falls to have the scoop of this announcement as exceptional as it is. But what is the deep meaning of this divine strategy?
The hermeneutical key seems to reside in the two fundamental concepts: « glory » and « peace ». Although the original text is in Greek, the terms dóxa (glory) and eirênê (peace) naturally refer to Hebrew realities because the first listeners were Jews. Thus, the glory does not only translate the external beauty and the excellence of the divine nature. It also reflects the Hebrew term kavod, which means « glory, honor, respect, distinction, and importance. » Thus, beyond the aesthetic dimension, the divine majesty is so immense that its weight is terrifying. As a result, human norms and conventions crumble like a house of cards before divine glory, giving shepherds the same value in the eyes of God as any other individual in society. The reasoning is simple: everybody is welcome since even marginalized people are now valued. Christmas is good news for everyone, without any discrimination. What about the second concept?
Here too, it would be aberrant to see in peace mentioned in this text the notion of absence of war and conflict conferred by the etymological meaning of this term in Greek. Instead, this word is deeply rooted in the Jewish cultural and religious context. Thus, « peace » refers to the Hebrew term shalom. It confers the idea of harmony in all dimensions of the human condition. It is harmony with God, with oneself, with one’s fellow beings, with one’s activities, and with one’s environment. In short, it is holistic well-being. At Christmas, God announces to humanity the solution to the multidimensional imbalance caused by the fall in the Garden of Eden. Through Christ, God is interested in spiritual, physical, psychological, social, economic, environmental, and integral welfare of His creatures. It is also under this holistic paradigm that the Lord Jesus placed his ministry through reading the passage from the book of Isaiah, which relates to it in detail (cf. Luke 4:16-19 and Isaiah 61:1 -2 [old Greek version]). Thus, the shepherds have become agents of integral transformation. They promptly assumed this responsibility, spreading the good news in their immediate surroundings (cf. Luke 2:16-20). We then understand that if the outcast can be catalysts for holistic peace, those with a more honorable social position can do it more.
Therefore, this profound message has a broader scope than a superficial reading of the text! The fact that the text is available today, even translated into multiple languages and within reach of the contemporary public, challenges us all. To celebrate Christmas in the spirit of the biblical story is to go beyond the peripheral, material, commercial or worldly dimensions to live the values it contains. As former US President John Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) so aptly said, « Christmas is not a day or a season; it’s a state of mind. » Beyond Christmas’s lively and temporal character, human beings may draw from the depth of their relationship with the Creator of the universe and everything within it to be an instrument of peace in all its dimensions. In so doing, the world would be a better place to live. May it please the Lord to grant us the courage, wisdom, strength, and perseverance to be ambassadors of shalom, in words and deeds, in a world plagued by hostile forces and violence in its many forms!
“Foundation for research on the root causes of poverty in Africa: a case study of Tokombéré and Soulédé-Roua councils of Cameroon” by Elisabeth YAOUDAM, Moussa BONGOYOK, and Célestin DELANGA………………………………………… p. 6
“Las representaciones de los negros en la trilogía africana de Javier Reverte: entre utopía y distopía” de Justine MEKAPTIO y Antoine BOUBA KIDAKOU…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. p. 32
“An Affirmation of the Centrality of the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:5-15) to the Christian Faith” by Fred GEORGE……….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………. p. 45
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Le REMEAF et Contributions africaines saluent la courageuse position des députés et des leaders religieux ivoiriens en faveur de la famille. Cet acte devrait inspirer les autres leaders du continent africain! Prière d’écouter l’audio ou de visualiser la vidéo ci-dessous.
REMEAF andContributionsAfricaines salute the courageous position of Ivorian Members of Parliament and religious leaders in favor of the family. This act should inspire other leaders of the African continent!Please listen to the audio or view the video below
