An ideological-critical interpretation of justice and righteousness in Amos 5

Abstract

This dissertation attempts to critically analyse the effect of ideology on the text of Amos 5 and how this impacts on hermeneutics. It begins with a look at the historical-political-sociological situations of Amos’ time. It also looks at ideology and the text and the effect of ideology both on the writer and the interpreter. Chapter 3 and 4 are exegetical and rhetorical readings of the texts of Amos 5. Chapter 4 focuses on the concept of justice and righteousness in Amos 5 and also in the entire book of Amos. Lastly, Chapter 5 looks at the concept of justice and righteousness and its contemporary relevance. In course of the study, it was discovered that time and experience play an important role in the Bible experience. Further, it was discovered that both the writer and the interpreter are considerably under the influence of ideology. None is exempt from it. This study therefore is about the struggles that a modern interpreter encounter in course of doing biblical interpretation and application. Since the texts is an ancient and was written at a time different from now. It implies therefore that contemporary interpreter has to interpret the text honestly in other for biblical message to be relevant to the present.