Date

12-19-2023

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Chair

Richard Fuhr

Keywords

Cush, Kush, Cushite, Kushite, African, Ethiopia, multiethnic, ethnicity, race, black, culture, gospel, sub-Saharan

Disciplines

Christianity | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

The Bible presents God's magnificent divine plan, executed by chosen people for a specific purpose. There are illustrations of those from various regions impacting those worldwide throughout the Bible. While much of the Old Testament takes place in ancient Mesopotamia, the magnitude of God’s plan is global. This dissertation will examine sub-Saharan people groups in Africa, particularly the Kushites and ancient Ethiopians. The discussion will include the history of Africans in the ancient world, their migration and development parallel to recorded biblical history, and their role in the Bible. Scholars utilize many different terms when referring to Kushites, depending on the particular historical stage. In the Hebrew Bible, the term Cush is consistently identified as the region and inhabitants of the area. At the same time, versions of the Bible sometimes replace “Cush” with “Ethiopia,” leading to confusion. Nevertheless, this civilization was a significant force in the ancient Near East for many years, recurring throughout the biblical text. While physical characteristics, such as their dark skin, are evident in ancient art, and cultural elements can be extracted from early literature, the impact of specific Cushites in the Bible is the central focus. Biblical scholars acknowledge the presence of Africans throughout the Bible, as early as the book of Genesis. Therefore, scholars seek to open discussion regarding race in the Bible and God’s divine will in using Africans as vessels in His redemptive plan. This study will serve as a reflection of hope for those underrepresented and a reminder of African value in the eyesight of God. Also, through proper examination of specific African characters, we hopefully will be able to glean the necessity of the inclusion of all. God willed His Church to be an accurate representation of God’s love. Therefore, Africans are a vital part of His redemptive plan for humanity. The epitome of God’s people is a multiethnic people, a mixed assembly of believers from various parts of the globe with the common goal of spreading the gospel.

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