Friendship in the Book of Job. This item is unavailable.Friendship in the Book of Job

Friendship is an important aspect of human society and a virtue that lies at the heart of sub-Saharan African societies. This study explores the art of friendship in the book of Job and how it resonates in the sub-Saharan African setting. As a wisdom tradition, the story offers a critique of friendship and of appropriate action with reference to particular circumstances, institutions, and persons, showing how the speeches, actions, and inactions of the characters inform friendship identities. Readers are exposed to proverbs, parables, and sayings from African communities, which show the richness of African culture and ethos. The similarities and differences between Western and African traditional worldviews and views of friendship come out clearly in the communal values of relatedness, loyalty, collaboration, empowerment, and goodwill.

Mark S. Aidoo is a senior lecturer and director for graduate programmes at Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon Ghana. He teaches Old Testament, Biblical Hebrew, and preaching. His research interests are poetic literature, African spirituality, leadership, and preaching. His recent publication is Shame in the Individual Lament Psalms and African Spirituality