Abstract:
The use of biblical texts by politicians in recent years has led to a proliferation of critical
publications by biblical scholars. Some focus on reconstructing the rhetoric itself, others on
analysing the historical context while others still, on why and how the scriptures are used. A
lack of an ideology critique dimension makes these analyses appear to be naïve to the extent
that they miss the element of the subversion of scriptures by politicians who use them.
Biblical texts on the whole, are a product of an anti-establishment culture and where they are
appropriated by the establishment, a hermeneutic of suspicion should apply. This paper
utilises ideology critique as it reflects on the manner and motif behind the use of scriptures
by politicians. It concludes that scriptures are subverted in order to force them to serve
ideological ends.
Description:
Prof. Speckman is
participating in the research
project, ‘Studies on the Book
of the Acts of the Apostles’,
directed by Prof. Dr G. Steyn,
Department of New
Testament Studies, Faculty of
Theology, University of
Pretoria.
