Dilemmas of Jesus's sacrificial death on a Roman cross: towards a Xhosa Christian hermeneutical reading for Xhosa indigenous customs of animal sacrifice

Abstract

Xhosa indigenous ‘customs’ (amasiko) of animal ‘sacrifices’ (ukuXela) are directed to their ‘ancestors’ (izinyanya), who act as mediators between God and humans. New Testament texts, on the other hand, show Jesus as sole mediator through which Christian converts can approach God (cf. John 14.6, 1 Tim 2.5 & Heb 12.24). The idea that Jesus's sacrificial death on the cross can fulfil the same function as animal sacrifices in indigenous practices represents a dilemma for South African Xhosa Christians. Though some may abandon amasiko of ukuXela, animal sacrifices are typically observed to mark events of transitions and maturity: the birth of a child, rites of passage, marriage, and death.

How should Xhosa Christians interpret Jesus's sacrificial death with respect to customs of animal sacrifices? What are the practical implications for Xhosa Christians who choose to continue or abandon amasiko of ukuXela? And why does the primacy of Jesus's sacrificial death in some NT texts seem to replace non-propitiatory animal sacrifices that mark Xhosa stages of liminality? Drawing from South African contextual approaches to biblical interpretation, I argue an inculturation of Jesus's sacrificial death in the Gospel of John provides contemporary Xhosa Christians with biblical hermeneutic approaches for understanding animal sacrifice and that Jesus's sacrifice is a propitiation offering which does not replace non-propitiatory Xhosa indigenous customs of sacrifice. Instead, Xhosa Christians should transform amasiko of ukuXela in accordance with the revelation of Jesus Christ and start a new relationship with izinyanya.

Xhosa Christians that do abandon amasiko of ukuXela effectively renounce their Xhosa indigenous beliefs and deny themselves an opportunity to integrate their Christian faith within their Xhosa cultural contexts. Those who continue have the hermeneutical challenge of fulfilling their Christian faith in the religious context of amasiko with ukuXela. I contend the inculturation of Jesus as ‘the Lamb of God’ (John 1.29, 36) and his death as a paschal lamb (John 19.14 & 28–36) into a Xhosa worldview offers Xhosa Christians interpretative methods for resolving these dilemmas. Jesus's sacrificial death on a Roman cross can be considered a cultural touchstone for Christian converts, a reminder of his salvific gift and mediation, available to all who believe and receive him (cf. John 1.12-13).