Abstract:
The article focuses on a debate initiated by Masenya and Ramantswana in 2012 about the lack
of engagement with contemporary issues by South African Old Testament scholars. The article
shows, with reference to the book of Leviticus, that ancient texts grew over time in order to
become relevant for later generations. It then asks: if it is possible for Old Testament scholars
to construct ancient examples of writers engaging with contemporary issues, why these same
scholars are reluctant to make these texts relevant for today? The article then engages with
the work of Farisani and describes strong points and weaknesses in the way in which he uses
biblical texts to engage with contemporary debates before returning to the central question.
