Abstract:
On account of xenophobia, which seems to be a worldwide phenomenon, this article examines
the issue of the ‘foreigner in our midst’ and approaches the problem from an Old Testament
perspective. Firstly an overview is given on the concepts of ethnicity and group identity, and
then two opposing groups of texts are briefly analysed: those that convey an exclusivist
attitude and those that are more open and inclusive in their outlook. Consequently, the contexts
in which these texts originated are examined. It appears that both groups, the exclusivists
and the inclusivists, share the same religious convictions, namely the worship of YHWH, the
God of Israel. The article concludes by urging caution when using the Bible in order to address
complex social and political issues in contemporary societies.
Description:
This research is part of the
project ‘The Book of Ruth
and Contemporary Issues’,
directed by Dr Gerda de
Villiers, Department of Old
Testament Studies, Faculty
of Theology and Religion,
University of Pretoria.
