Notes on the Ethiopian Bible

Introduction

• The Ethiopian Bible is one of the oldest and most complete biblical texts known to humanity.
• Contains ancient wisdom and bold truths, both comforting and terrifying to various powers.
• Remains a mystery in the West, often hidden from the spotlight.
• Testifies to a faith resistant to colonial domination and contains books banned in other Christian traditions.
• Offers a unique perspective on Christianity untainted by Western imperialism.

Key Teachings

Spiritual Empowerment

• Expands understanding of divine mysteries and celestial order.
• Includes narratives like The Book of Enoch, Jubilees, and the Kebra Nagast.

The Book of Enoch

• Features Enoch, a man taken into the heavens.
• Describes the Watchers, angels who violated divine law, leading to their downfall and the birth of the Nephilim.
• Serves as a metaphor for arrogance and the misuse of power.
• Message: Divine justice is inevitable; calls for humility and righteousness.

The Book of Jubilees

• Details a divine cosmic calendar, emphasizing a divinely orchestrated plan.
• Provides assurance that chaos is temporary and divine justice is certain.
• Offers comfort and hope in the face of adversity.

The Kebra Nagast

• Tells of the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon, leading to the Solomonic dynasty.
• Cements Ethiopia's spiritual heritage and divine lineage.
• Source of identity, pride, and resistance against oppression.

Fear of These Teachings

• Ethiopian Bible represents a threat to political and religious powers.
• The Book of Enoch challenges authority, promoting moral accountability.
• The Kebra Nagast and Book of Jubilees empowered resistance against colonialism.

Modern Relevance

• Offers resistance against corrupt power and affirms cultural identity.
• Encourages resilience and faith in divine justice.
• Provides a forward-looking vision anchored in divine justice.

Conclusion

• Ethiopian Bible is powerful for its commitment to truth, justice, and resilience.
• Offers a counternarrative to oppression and fear, emphasizing divine justice as the ultimate arbiter.