The practice of cursing remains a significant aspect of life in many African countries. This book addresses this practice with the seriousness it deserves, arguing that Christ is the ultimate curse remover.

Dr. Elkanah K. Cheboi examines the meaning and implications of the Pauline statement in Galatians that “Christ became a curse for us.” Drawing from biblical passages referencing judicial curses, and the widespread practice of cursing and blessing within the Ancient Near East and Greco-Roman world, he investigates how the crucified and cursed Christ provides the ultimate solution to the power and dominion of curses. Demonstrating the insufficiencies of curse remedies, both in the ancient world and the modern African context, this study offers christological insight into the implications of Christ’s death not simply for human sin but also human curses. Dr. Cheboi specifically examines parallels between the New Testament context and Kenya’s Marakwet culture, where curses are still deeply feared as life-threatening and generational.

Offering powerful insight into aspects of contemporary African culture not always fully understood, this book integrates biblical scholarship with practical application and is an excellent resource for pastors, missionaries, and theologians alike.

Print Book Available at:

Langham Publishing: https://langhamliterature.org/crucified-and-cursed-christ

All Amazon around the world; Book Depository; Barnes and Noble

Digital ebook edition available at:

Amazon Kindle; Apple iBooks; Kobo’; Nook; VitalSource eTextbook

Endorsements

This work by Dr. Cheboi is a masterpiece that helps to unpack the concept of curses through the exposition of Galatians 3:1–14. He identifies the theological foundation of the crucified and cursed Christ, and carefully connects it to the contextual understanding of this key theological foundation to the Marakwet culture, though also relevant to many African cultures, so that they can relate it to God’s redemptive purposes.

Nathan H. Chiroma, PhD
Principal,
Africa College of Theology, Rwanda

Dr. Cheboi has done a careful and sensitive study of the function of the cross in relation to rituals in the Graeco-Roman world. In essence, the author contextualizes Paul’s understanding of the crucifixion in the ancient curse rituals to a particular African culture and in doing so, a modernist prejudice againstritual is overcome. This is a valuable contribution to the study of Christology and rituals. I endorse it without any reservations.

Samuel K. Elolia, PhD
Professor of Christian Theology and World Christianity,
Milligan University, Tennessee, USA

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