A'Level: Daily Divinity Questions and Answers with Witness Dingani

QN "Israel prophets were architects of war and violence" Examine this view. To what extent are the Zimbabwean prophets involved in the same act? (25) -pt 36

A level Divinity Revision Questions|02 June 2016l

COMMENT OVERVIEW

 - It is prudent at this stage to remember that in order to execute any Divinity question ,one should define KEY words first. In this work the writer will bring forward different fundamental questions which the reader can attempt first before answering the question.For instance

 - What is an architect?

 - What is violence?

 - Which prophet planned the war in Israel?

 - This include the prophets like

 - Moses

 - Samuel

 - the 400 cultic prophets

 - Elisha

 - Elijah

 - In Zimbabwean context this include

 - Bishop Manango

 - Samuel Mutendi and Ezekiel Guti

 - the white church garment sect.

 - The above named prophets can be regarded as the architect of war and violence ,basing on their actions during their time. This will be fully shown on the ongoing work.

ANSWERS

® - During the exodus event ,Moses as a prophet who was divinely inspired, played number of prophetic duties .This include performing miracles .He also went on to extent of fighting holy wars with Amalekites. This is evidenced in Exodus 17:9 "And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose for us men, and go out, fight with Amalek; tomorrow.." It has been submitted that whilst Israel was fighting Moses was standing on top of the mountain with Aaron with a rod ,hence, he was praying for a victory. As a result Israel defeated the Amalekites (Amalek grandson of Esau).Scholar Thomas Constable in his Exodus notes page 104 paragraph 4 citing Josephus the early church father who submitted that No Hebrew died in this war but innumerable Amalekites perished. In other words this indicate that Moses can be regarded as an architect of this war basing on his contributions which the writer highlighted earlier.

® - Samuel the man who had for offices ,prophet being one of them championed holy wars. This is evidenced when he prayed and offered sacrifices in Mizpah ,so that Yahweh will give strength Israel in order to fight against the Philistines. This is recorded in 1 Samuel 7:5-10.As a result the Israelites won the battle. Samuel as a prophet ,he instituted school of prophecy ,The internal evidence reveal that Samuel was always standing as the head ,this is indicated in 1 Samuel 19:20.Scholar B.W Anderson submitted that the other role of sons of prophets with their head was to champion holy wars ;giving soldiers a patriotic feeling .This is also the reason why the guild was always stationed in garrisons. At this stage it is prudent to suggest that Samuel deserve to be regarded as the architect of this war basing on his contributions which the writer highlighted above .

® - The Mt Carmel contest is well known .Elijah advised Ahab to station his Baal prophets at Mt Carmel. During the contest the Baal prophets failed to bring fire whilst Elijah managed .As a result Elijah ended up butchering the baal prophets and asherah goddess. During this time Elijah was fighting for Yahwehism this is further supported by the meaning of his name "Yahweh is my God". At this stage what cannot be denied is that Elijah caused war and violence, hence,Elijah can be regarded as the architect of war and violence.

NB There are so many prophets which can be added . HOWEVER PART

 - As much as Israel prophets can be labelled as the architect of war and violence ,one should note that there are some prophets who desired peace and prophetic career with no violence,hence,this means that Israel prophets does not totally deserve to be regarded as the architect of war and violence.

®This is true in the case of Isaiah the prophet of Jerusalem who discouraged King Ahaz for joining the Syro-Ephraimite alliance which was to defend/offer Judah whenever Assyria wanted to attack the nation .Therefore, Isaiah as a prophet knew that joining was going to cause war and violence, hence, this indicate that this disqualify the view that Israel prophets does not totally deserve to be regarded as the architect of war and violence.

ZIMBABWEAN CONTEXT

®In Zimbabwean context number of so many prophets can be labelled as the architect of war and violence, citing the "white church garment" who fought against the police in Budiriro 1 ,this was recorded by Newsday and ZBC on the 14th May 2014 (The members of the sect could be heard shouting ordering others to kill claiming they were fighting a "holy war") All this proves that Zimbabwean prophets can be regarded as the architect of war and violence.The following link will help the reader to get full story(http://www.herald.co.zw/latest-vapostori-beat-up-police/ | encourage the readers to take use of Local newspapers ,everyday they publish different stories which can be important to our subject.

®Ezekiel Guti and Samuel Mutendi during the colonisation of Zimbabwe they criticised this idea of the whites .Some went on to influence Africans to reject the colonisation, this is evidenced by Smith regime arresting the named prophets because of their messages which were anti-colonial.In other words these prophets gave people an emotional spirit or nationalistic feeling .Hence ,the Africans revolting this is evidenced by 1st Chimurenga .Credit can be given to the prophets ,this has been further supported by Sam Mamvuru who submitted that the early prophets and traditionalist supported Africans during the colonisation. As such this proves to us that Zimbabwean prophets deserve to be regarded as the architect of war and violence.

N.B There are so many examples which can be added.

HOWEVER PART

 - As much as Zimbabwean prophets can be regarded as the architect of war and violence, one should note that they don't totally deserve to be regarded as the architect of war and violence. For instance

®Makandiwa during 2008 national elections reprimanded for anti-violence .He advised people to have spirit of brotherhood. He might foresaw that there will be bloodshed as a result of anger during the campaigns. As such this indicate that Zimbabwean doesn't totally deserve to be regarded as the architect of war and violence.Makandiwa has been recorded by media to have been involved in anti-sanction campaign on 1st March 2011,Makandiwa was advocating peace during this campaign. The story was even published by the National TV ,follow this link to get more information( http://www.zbc.co.zw/news-categories/top-stories/6931-anti-sanctions-campaign-programme-released "This will be followed by the singing of the …..prayer led by United Family ...Reverend Emmanuel Makandiwa…. to 11 am, it will be time for solidarity messages …. churches and traditional leaders"|The story was published on the 1st March 2011 20:38pm).With above information this disqualify the view that Zimbabwean prophets totally deserve to be regarded as the architect of war and violence.


QUESTION DEMAND
 - Examine the view and showing the extent on Zimbabwean context part.
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