God of the Remnant

Africa is blessed with a rich diversity of cultures, ethnicities and nationalities. However, such diversity can also lead to differences in moral, political and religious outlook. The situation becomes much more complex when there are unequal power relations, competition for limited material resources, and a history of conflict. Prof. Agang addresses concerns such as these with clarity and wisdom as he draws upon the biblical motif of the “remnant.” The key to peace and human flourishing, he proposes, is a clearer understanding of the implications of living in a covenantal relationship with God and all of God’s creation.

Dion A. Forster, PhD
Director, Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology
Chair, Department of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology,
University of Stellenbosch, South Africa

Sunday Agang is familiar with the fate of minorities in Africa. He knows suffering, but he found a door that unlocks a road less travelled. He explains what “remnant” means in Scripture and how God uses small minorities through difficult times to keep faith and hope alive. In doing so, Agang gives the reader a set of glasses – one can see the patterns of history! The majesty of the covenantal God unfolds. Being in the presence of God changes the way you see yourself: identity gets redefined, self-confidence is regained, shame is removed, despair vanishes and hope is rekindled. The acceptance of being a remnant is not an instant individualized cure from miseries leading to a hassle-free life! In this book, you are invited to take the first steps on an Abrahamic journey and before your very eyes the footprints of the one who set aside the privileges of deity appear.

H. Jurgens Hendriks, DLitt
Emeritus Professor, Practical Theology and Missiology,
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Program Coordinator, Network for African Congregational Theology (NetACT)

The task of the theologian is two-fold; namely, to understand the message of the Bible and to apply that message to the contemporary situation. In this book, Professor Sunday Agang has not only brought out the meaning of the biblical concept of remnant but applied it to the plight of many ethnic minorities. There are thousands of ethnic minority groups all over Africa who suffer all kinds of indignities such as isolation, oppression, intimidation, deprivation, poverty, violence and despair. Juxtapose the plight of ethnic minorities with the majority ethnic groups who live in affluence, protection, and prosperity and oppress minority groups. These extreme realities and tensions are with us and the Christian must make sense of it all. This is an apt study that will find meaning and relevance for the many struggles, questions, tensions and severe afflictions of many African ethnic minorities.

Samuel Waje Kunhiyop, PhD
Professor of Systematic Theology and Ethics,
ECWA Theological Seminary, Kagoro, Nigeria
Author, African Christian Ethics

This book speaks powerfully to the situation of the minority ethnic groups in Africa. Marginalization is the key word that describes their fate. Citing the example of Nigeria, the colonial masters empowered three regions: namely, North, East, and West. In these regions, the key players are the Hausa, Fulani, Igbo, and Yoruba. The rest of the over five hundred minority nationalities became subsumed non-entities and mere numbers to be manipulated for political gains by the majority tribes. These minority ethnic groups are despised, marginalized, persecuted, and downtrodden. But Prof. Agang does not stop in this state of hopelessness and despair. From the biblical concept of the remnant, he sees a “beacon of hope” for the minorities – they can serve as a source of blessing to the rest of humankind. What a huge encouragement for the marginalized and discouraged remnant!

Rev. Bitrus A. Sarma, PhD
Professor of Biblical Studies (NT),
Provost, ECWA Theological Seminary, Kagoro, Nigeria

1. Foreword
2. Preface
3. Acknowledgements
4. Introduction
5. The Remnant Motif in the Scriptures
1. From Genesis to Chronicles: God’s Work with a Remnant
2. The Voices of the Prophets: The Threat and Promise of a Remnant
3. Ezra and Nehemiah: The Preservation and Humility of a Remnant
4. Paul: God’s Grace and Mercy to a Remnant
6. Remnants Today
1. Survivors of Trauma
2. Minority Ethnic Groups
3. Minority Religious Groups
4. Minorities within the Church
5. Hope for Remnants
7. Remnants and God’s Covenant Love
1. The Concept of a Covenant
2. The Nature of God’s Covenants
3. Conclusion
8. Implications of Covenant Theology
1. Covenants and Hope
2. Covenants and Conduct
3. Covenants and Confidence
4. Covenants and Concern
9. The Reality of a Divided Humanity
1. Divisions and Sin
2. Divisions and Judgement
3. Despair Is Not an Option
10. Remnants, Assumptions and Injustice
1. Assumptions Have Consequences
2. Assumptions in Africa
3. Conclusion
11. Facing Our Wrong Assumptions
1. We Are Different
2. There Is Not Enough to Go Round
3. I Am in Charge
4. I Am a Winner Not a Loser
12. The Way Ahead
1. Following in the Footsteps of Jesus
2. Learning to Live and Love as Members of a Majority Group
3. Learning to Live and Love as Members of a Minority Group
4. Conclusion
13. References
14. Further Reading