Project Summary

Most biblical commentaries are produced by Western scholars who think in Western terms. They are unable to bridge the cultural gap and speak to the burgeoning population of Christians in Africa.

Consequently several publishing partners – including JSM – supported publication of the Africa Bible Commentary (ABC), the first single-volume commentary written entirely by African authors. To date, more than 80,000 copies of the ABC have been distributed in Africa. It is already available in two languages, and four more translations are scheduled.

The Africa Bible Commentary Series (produced by JSM partner HippoBooks) builds on the vision of the acclaimed ABC. Its goal is to provide African commentaries by top-notch African biblical and theological scholars for African pastors, students and lay leaders and for the world.

Reporting on the success of the ABC, Sam Ngewa says, "A number of our new students knew about Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST) or came to NEGST because of the African Bible Commentary. As I hear some of them share this, it stamps on my heart in a new way that the time we spent on it keeps on bearing fruit. I pray that the HippoBooks Africa Bible Commentary series will bear even more fruit". Dr Ngewa, contributed to the ABC and has written the first commentary in the ABC series, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. His writing has been sponsored by the Literature program.

“The commentary series is part of the fulfillment of the dream of John Stott himself to encourage indigenous scholars and writers in the Majority World countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America,” says Langham Partnership International Director Christopher Wright.  “It is exciting to see this vision bearing fruit.”

You can become involved in the transformation of African theological education by supporting the publication of future ABC Series titles. Next in the series are Galatians, also written by Sam Ngewa, and Romans, written in French by Solomon Andria. These commentaries are halfway finished, and currently slated for publication in 2010. The cost to produce these volumes is $4,000.

Total project cost: $4,000

$295

Funding to Date