Drums of Redemption , livre ebook

The Drums of Redemption guides believers through the redemptive promises of God as found in the Bible. The concept of redemption is a pillar in Christian doctrine. This book by Professor Sarma identifies the theological foundation of redemptive history and carefully connects it to the contextual understanding of redemption as found in many African cultures so that they can relate that with God’s redemptive purposes. The book is theologically written and crafted with simplicity that is typical of the author. I recommend the book to all theological institutions, churches, homes, and every Christian who desires to live a redemptive life.
Nathan H. Chiroma, PhD
Dean, School of Theology,
Pan Africa Christian University, Kenya
Another excellent resource from Professor Sarma! This New Testament theology considers the main themes of each New Testament book (with the exception of Matthew, Mark, and Luke which are grouped together because of their common material) and applies these themes to the spiritual needs of the African continent. Scholarly, rich, simply written, Scripture-focused, and spiritually uplifting. I highly recommend it.
John Hunt
Evangelical Church Winning All Theological College, Nigeria
African drums are a powerful means of communicating messages to their listeners. Bitrus Sarma employs this symbol to communicate that the drums of redemption are the compelling sound that echoes throughout the New Testament. He does this through listening, tracing, investigating, interpreting, applying, and relating the sound of the drums of redemption in the New Testament. It is a superb contribution to New Testament scholarship. This ground breaking work is serious stuff!
Samuel Waje Kunhiyop, PhD
Head of Postgraduate School,
South Africa Theological Seminary

Drums of Redemption
A New Testament Theology for Africa
Bitrus A. Sarma

© 2023 Bitrus A. Sarma
Published 2023 by HippoBooks, an imprint of ACTS and Langham Publishing.
Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS), TCNN, PMB 2020, Bukuru 930008, Plateau State, Nigeria
www.actsnigeria.org
Langham Publishing, PO Box 296, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 9WZ, UK
www.langham.org
ISBNs:
978-1-83973-231-7 Print
978-1-83973-797-8 ePub
978-1-83973-798-5 Mobi
978-1-83973-799-2 PDF
Bitrus A. Sarma has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the Author of this work.
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Unless otherwise stated, Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-1-83973-231-7
Cover & Book Design: projectluz.com
The publishers of this book actively support theological dialogue and an author’s right to publish but do not necessarily endorse the views and opinions set forth here or in works referenced within this publication, nor guarantee technical and grammatical correctness. The publishers do not accept any responsibility or liability to persons or property as a consequence of the reading, use or interpretation of its published content.

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To Prof. Scott Cunningham
for the unshakable foundation he laid in my life
in the field of New Testament Greek
and whose hard work is exemplary.
To my wife, Sanatu,
whose love, faithfulness, and companionship kept me strong along the years.
To the members of We Encourage,
Pasadena Covenant Church, Los Angeles, USA
who are the epitome of Christian love and encouragement;
to all my fellow brothers and sisters who are redeemed in Christ.
And to our faithful and gracious Father and our Redeemer Jesus Christ be the glory!
Contents

Cover


Abbreviations


Foreword


Acknowledgments


Introduction


1 Drums of Redemptive Theology


The Redemptive Purposes of God in History and Revelation


The Roots of Redemptive Theology


The Biblical Canon in Redemptive History


The Nature of New Testament Theology


The Quest for the Historical Jesus and Redemption


Questions for Review and Application


2 Drums of Theological Horizons in Africa


A Brief History of Biblical Theology


The Need for New Testament Biblical Theology in Africa


Basic Presuppositions for Biblical Theology in Africa


Questions for Review and Application


3 Drums of Redemption in the Synoptic Gospels (1)


The Synoptic Problem


The Synopsis of Matthew, Mark, and Luke


“Son of David, Son of Abraham” and “Son of Adam, Son of God”


John the Baptist and Herald of the Messiah


Promise and Fulfillment in God’s Redemptive Scheme


Questions for Review and Application


4 Drums of Redemption in the Synoptic Gospels (2)


Key Theological Themes in the Synoptic Gospels


Questions for Review and Application


5 Drums of Redemption in the Synoptic Gospels (3)


Redemption as Entry in the Kingdom of God


Redemption as Dominion Over Evil Forces and Powers


Redemption and the Purpose of Prayer


Redemption and the Persecution of the Righteous


Redemption and the Poor, the Oppressed, and the Marginalized


Redemption as Future Consummation of the Kingdom


Questions for Review and Application


6 Drums of Redemption in the Gospel of John


Synopsis of the Gospel of John


Key Theological Themes of the Gospel of John


Questions for Review and Application


7 Drums of Redemption in the Acts of the Apostles


Synopsis of the Book of Acts


Key Theological Themes in the Book of Acts


Questions for Review and Application


8 Drums of Redemption in Romans


Synopsis of the Letter to the Romans


Key Theological Themes in the Letter to the Romans


Questions for Review and Application


9 Drums of Redemption in 1 Corinthians


Synopsis of 1 Corinthians


Key Theological Themes in 1 Corinthians


Questions for Review and Application


10 Drums of Redemption in 2 Corinthians


Synopsis of the Letter 2 Corinthians


Key Theological Themes in the Letter 2 Corinthians


Questions for Review and Application


11 Drums of Redemption in Galatians


Synopsis of the Letter to the Galatians


Key Theological Themes in the Letter to the Galatians


Questions for Review and Application


12 Drums of Redemption in Ephesians


The Synopsis of the Letter to the Ephesians


Key Theological Themes in the Letter to the Ephesians


Questions for Review and Application


13 Drums of Redemption in Philippians


Synopsis of the Letter to the Philippians


Key Theological Themes in the Letter to the Philippians


Questions for Review and Application


14 Drums of Redemption in Colossians


Synopsis of the Letter to the Colossians


Key Theological Themes in the Letter to the Colossians


Questions for Review and Application


15 Drums of Redemption in 1 and 2 Thessalonians


Synopsis of the Letters 1 and 2 Thessalonians


Key Theological Themes in the Letters 1 and 2 Thessalonians


Questions for Review and Application


16 Drums of Redemption in the Pastoral Epistles


Synopsis of the Pastoral Epistles


Key Theological Themes in the Pastoral Epistles


Questions for Review and Application


17 Drums of Redemption in Philemon


Synopsis of the Letter to Philemon


Key Theological Themes in the Letter to Philemon


Questions for Review and Application


18 Drums of Redemption in Hebrews


Synopsis of the Book of Hebrews


Key Theological Themes in the Book of Hebrews


Questions for Review and Application


19 Drums of Redemption in James


Synopsis of the Epistle of James


Key Theological Themes in the Epistle of James


Questions for Review and Application


20 Drums of Redemption in 1 Peter


The Synopsis of the Letter 1 Peter


Key Theological Themes of the Letter 1 Peter


Questions for Review and Application


21 Drums of Redemption in 2 Peter and Jude


The Synopsis of the Letters 2 Peter and Jude


Key Theological Themes in the Letters 2 Peter and Jude


Questions for Review and Application


22 Drums of Redemption in 1, 2, and 3 John


Synopsis of the Letters 1, 2, and 3 John


Key Theological Themes in the Letters 1, 2, and 3 John


Questions for Review and Application


23 Drums of Redemption in Revelation


Synopsis of the Book of Revelation


Key Theological Themes in the Book of Revelation


Questions for Review and Application


Bibliography

Endnotes
Abbreviations

ABRL The Anchor Bible Reference Library AJPS Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies ATR African Traditional Religion BECNT Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament JETS Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society JSNT Journal for the Study of the New Testament NCBC The New Cambridge Bible Commentary NIGTC The New International Greek Testament Commentary NT New Testament OT Old Testament R&E Review & Expositor: An International Baptist Journal SPCK Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge WTJ Westminster Theological Journal
Foreword
Most people who are conversant with some of the major developments on the African continent over the last few decades, would, no doubt, concede that these troubling events seem to cast shadows on the existen