The significance of postcolonial studies in Christian Scholarship is undeniable. Its deconstructive arguments have compelled biblical and theological scholars to reassess long-held epistemologies and traditions that have caused significant contextual damage, some of which may be irreparable. However, the relationship between postcolonial studies and the Bible remains complex. In postcolonial Africa, it is common for postcolonial Bible scholars to regard the Bible as a colonial document, approaching it with a hermeneutic of suspicion. This perspective poses a challenge for postcolonial locals who see the Bible as an authority for addressing contextual issues. Is it possible for hermeneutics of suspicion and hermeneutics of trust to coexist rather than oppose each other? This could enable a nuanced interpretation that accommodates a broad range of contextual appropriations. This paper explores how adapting critical realism in postcolonial Bible reading could integrate postcolonial concerns in a way that recognizes Scripture as an authoritative witness to God’s revelation, with the embodiment of Christ as the center of its theological engagement and missional response.
I propose that critical realism is an appropriate methodology for fostering ongoing dialogues between postcolonial societies and the Bible. I will illustrate how its non-dualistic framework aligns with critical theories, including postcolonial studies, particularly through its structured acceptance of epistemological relativism. The non-dualistic framework of critical realism promotes dialogue between objective and subjective perspectives, allowing interpretations to emerge from the dynamic interaction between the biblical text and its contextual background. Furthermore, it accommodates epistemological relativism while establishing boundaries for contextual relevance, ensuring that the integrity of the biblical narrative is preserved. In this way, postcolonial struggles are recognized as legitimate, and the Bible is allowed to serve as a valid witness for contextual appropriation. The Bible is demonstrated as a positive sacred agency for the postcolonial world, despite its colonial legacy.