ABSTRACT
This chapter demonstrates that in South African contexts the Bible and biblical interpretation reside in the heart of spiritual abuse. Hence, even when cultural epistemologies are the core source of spiritual abuse, the Bible and biblical interpretation are claimed as allies. Two major interlocking systems of oppression can be identified as providing the systemic nexus for spiritual abuse: first, colonial and African patriarchal control, and second, colonial and African epistemologies and theologies of retribution. Pervasive and insidious epistemologies and theologies of retribution often provide a dominant understanding of race, HIV, gender, sexuality, disability, and unemployment, often with ecclesial and social impunity. The Contextual Bible Study (CBS) strategies developed over decades at the Ujamaa Centre at Pietermaritzburg work towards resisting these abusive forces, with some success.
