Crucified and Cursed Christ

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

1. Abstract
2. List of Abbreviations
3. Acknowledgments
4. Chapter 1 Introduction
1. Introduction to the Study
2. Literature Review
3. Methodology
4. Procedure
5. Chapter 2 The Practice and Function of Curses in the Ancient Near East and Graeco-Roman World: A Focus on Judicial Use of Curses
1. Introduction
2. Functions of Curse in the NT World
3. The Use of Judicial Curses in Ancient Israel and Neighboring Communities
4. Conclusion
6. Chapter 3 Background Information and Exegesis of Galatians 3:1–14
1. Introduction
2. Background Information
3. The Crucified and Cursed Christ: An Exegesis of Galatians 3:1–14
4. Conclusion of the Exegetical Section
7. Chapter 4 Comparison and Analysis
1. Introduction
2. Removal of Curses in the Ancient World
3. The Persistent Enigma of Curses in the Ancient World
4. The Uniqueness and Sufficiency of Christ’s Death as a Remover of All Curses
5. Significant Themes on Curse and Blessing in Galatians 3:1–14
6. Conclusion
8. Chapter 5 Application to the African Context and Contribution from the African Context
1. Introduction
2. The Presence, Fear, and Power of Curses in Marakwet Culture
3. Categories of Curses in Marakwet Culture
4. The Object of Judicial and Revenge Prayers
5. Execution of a Judicial Curse
6. Removal and Reversal of Judicial and Revenge Curses
7. Ways of Preventing and Removing Curses in the Marakwet Culture
8. Proclaiming Jesus Christ in a Cultural Context with Belief in Curses
9. Conclusion
9. Chapter 6 Conclusions and Recommendations
1. Introduction
2. Recommendations
10. Bibliography