Bible and Cultures: Christian Identity as Encounter
by Marie-Lucile Kubacki
Rome (Fides News Agency) — Nicoletta Gatti, a biblical studies lecturer at the University of Ghana, emphasizes that “very often, our identity is: ‘I am because you are not.’” This idea reflects the current climate of nationalism and religious polarization, leading to a vital question: How can faith foster a sense of belonging that includes all?
This question is explored in the recently published volume titled “Culture, Bible, Identity: Christian Faith and Interculturality”, borne out of the international online conference hosted by the Catholic Biblical Federation (CBF) from January 21 to 23, 2025. The book is available for free online, part of the Federation’s academic series “Contextual Readings of the Bible.”
The conference, organized by CBF’s General Secretariat and the “Verbum Domini” biblical-pastoral association in collaboration with the University of Ghana and Paris Lodron University, Salzburg, aimed to analyze how Christian identity evolved from early communities in a contemporary, pluralistic world.
In the book’s preface, Father Jan Stefanów notes it as the Federation’s first publication since 2008, highlighting it as a collection of conference contributions. He hopes it sparks a “fruitful path of academic-pastoral reflection,” which restates God’s message contained in Scripture.
A Free Collaborative Project
The free availability of the book allows a broad audience access, contrary to typical restrictive academic publications. Gatti states that this venture feels like a shared journey marked by “intellectual friendship,” now extending beyond the conference.
Edited by Gatti alongside Franz Gmainer-Pranzl, Professor of Intercultural Theology at the University of Salzburg, the book includes Gatti’s introduction titled “A Hermeneutic Vision for Inclusive Community.” It is divided into sections focusing on contextual methods and intercultural exegesis.
Among various topics, the volume examines Scripture’s reception through diverse cultural lenses, such as African Pentecostal contexts and European interpretations. Contributions reinterpret biblical figures to reflect contemporary realities, like Hagar’s narrative connecting to Dalit women in India, and the Magi’s journey challenging introverted African Christianity.
Gatti also points out that this project extends a previous initiative, “Salvation in a Crisis-Ridden World: An Intercultural Exegetical Answer,” exploring the Word of God’s relevance in a post-pandemic world.
The Bible’s Cultural Dialogue
The book interrogates the link between the Christian message and its various cultural contexts. It questions how New Testament authors expressed faith amid varying cultural influences and what Christian identity means without a singular cultural expression.
Gatti acknowledges the risk of biblical studies becoming overly specialized, suggesting that exegetical work should interact with everyday life and experiences.
Thus, the project emphasizes understanding Scripture in its original context while engaging it with contemporary cultures. This approach advocates for a mutual questioning between text and community rather than a rigid application of ancient teachings to modern issues.
Gatti’s experience teaching in Ghana illustrates faith’s significant role in public and personal life, despite deep-seated divisions. She highlights the need for recognizing multiple perspectives in biblical interpretation, encompassing a broader understanding of faith.
From Identity in Opposition to Communion
Central to this volume is the exploration of identity as a public concern. Gatti warns that viewing difference as a threat fosters exclusion and conflict, invoking the African principle of Ubuntu: “I am because you are.” This challenges the notion of defining oneself only in opposition to others.
She argues that fear distorts our perception of others into enemies, leading to dehumanization—where dignity is attributed only within one’s own community. This dynamic can infiltrate societal structures and church life.
Scripture illustrates these tensions, revealing both protective and inviting narratives. Gatti believes these complexities urge deeper exploration of recognizing the humanity in others.
She identifies four vital areas for the Church: understanding one’s local culture, fostering welcoming communities, rereading Scripture amidst contemporary challenges, and moving beyond intellectualism in faith practice.
Reflecting on the New Testament’s origins in friendship, Gatti underscores that early Christian communities faced conflicts. These experiences show that dialogue and recognition can pave the way toward inclusion and relationship building.
A Collective Contribution Beyond Academia
Emerging from an online gathering of diverse scholars, this book seeks to explore biblical interpretations that respect diverse cultures without erasing them. Gatti envisions the volume as both a mirror and a map—a reflection of our world’s complexities and a guide toward a fulfilling sense of belonging in every community.
This project invites not only specialists but anyone grappling with the question of how to live out their identity harmoniously rather than in exclusion.
(Fides News Agency, 5/10/2026)
