Reclaiming the African Context of Scripture

Every generation must teach the scriptures in a way that is faithful to the truth. Yet too often, cultural layers and modern divisions have hidden the Bible’s original context. To reclaim the fullness of God’s Word, we must place it back into the soil where it began — the lands of Northeast Africa.

When we read the Bible only through modern maps, we risk losing sight of its foundation. Bethlehem, Judea, and Jerusalem are often spoken of as “Middle Eastern,” but before the Suez Canal and European renaming, they were part of Africa’s geography. Jesus’ story is deeply African — born in Bethlehem of Judea, sheltered in Egypt, and crucified in Jerusalem.

Teaching the scriptures with this awareness does more than correct maps. It affirms the identity of the people connected to these lands. It gives students, teachers, and communities the confidence to see their heritage in the Gospel itself.

Out of Egypt I Called My Son™ is committed to restoring scripture to its African context. This is not just about history — it is about truth, justice, and rediscovering the roots of our faith.

By Rev. Phyllis Ida Coachman