Friendship in the Book of Job: Art, Context, and Theology from an African Perspective - Paperback

by Mark S. Aidoo (Author)

Friendship is an important aspect of human society and a virtue that lies at the heart of sub-Saharan African societies. This study explores the art of friendship in the book of Job and how it resonates in the sub-Saharan African setting. As a wisdom tradition, the story offers a critique of friendship and of appropriate action with reference to particular circumstances, institutions, and persons, showing how the speeches, actions, and inactions of the characters inform friendship identities. Readers are exposed to proverbs, parables, and sayings from African communities, which show the richness of African culture and ethos. The similarities and differences between Western and African traditional worldviews and views of friendship come out clearly in the communal values of relatedness, loyalty, collaboration, empowerment, and goodwill.

Author Biography

Mark S. Aidoo is associate professor of Old Testament at the Trinity Theological Seminary in Legon, Ghana. His research interests are in biblical interpretation, preaching, African spirituality, and leadership. He is the author of Journeying with Ruth on a Mission (2022), Ecclesiastes as Drama (2022), Leadership in the Book of Esther (2020), and Shame in the Individual Lament Psalms and African Spirituality (2017).