“The purpose of Compass Ethiopia (established to write the first Amharic New Testament commentary) is not to deny or undermine Ethiopia’s rich and ancient Biblical and Christian heritage; it is to enrich and enhance it further. We are very aware and respectful of the fact that Ethiopia has always had exposure and access to the scriptures or the Bible. We also recognize that reading, memorizing and reciting scriptures like the psalm of David is a common and ancient practice of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church. In Acts 8:26-36, we read that an important Ethiopian official or treasurer (known as the Ethiopian eunuch) came to Jerusalem to worship God, and was sitting on his chariot reading Isaiah 53 when the Holy Spirit sent Philip to approach him. However, when Philip asked the Ethiopian eunuch “Do you understand what you are reading?” the Ethiopian gave a response that echoes the cry of both ancient and present day Ethiopians “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” It is in answer to this cry that God sent Philip to explain to the Ethiopian that the scripture he was reading was about Jesus Christ, and to preach the good news of the gospel to him and baptize him. Like Philip, the purpose of the New Testament commentary that we are about to write is also to explain to our people in their own language and cultural context the scriptures that they already possess and have been reading since Biblical times. Some may ask what about the translated commentaries. Isn’t it a shame for one of the first Christian nations in the world to have to import commentaries from nations that were exposed to the scriptures and received the gospel much later than itself???” Theologian and Pastor Endalkachew Sahle, Director of Compass Ethiopia
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 07:14:18 +0000