Understanding religion and social change in Ethiopia : towards a hermeneutic of covenant

Religiosity is one aspect without which Ethiopian society cannot be fully understood. This book aims to map out the terrain of the discourse in religion-social change nexus in Ethiopian using the notion of covenant as an interpretive tool. "Social and political history of Ethiopia has proven, time and again, that abrupt change did not suit the cultural nature of its society. The reason is that Ethiopia is an ancient society anchored in religiously laden value system. As a result, the ready-made changes tailored by the political entrepreneurs with no participation of the grassroots did not suit social memory of the mass. Instead of sudden rapture, this calls for the continuity of some elements of traditional values. This study therefore aims to use the metaphor of covenant thinking as a hermeneutical tool that can be used as medium to negotiate change and transition without fear of risking cultural identity"-- Provided by publisher Front Matter....Pages i-xxi The Hermeneutic of “Wax and Gold”....Pages 1-44 The Hermeneutic of Demystification....Pages 45-89 The Hermeneutic of Compartmentalization....Pages 91-135 Toward a New Hermeneutic of Covenant....Pages 137-186 Back Matter....Pages 187-219