AbstractThe study is a response to the call for papers on African issues and it focuses on the theme of blood. The chapter seeks to answer the following questions: Why is blood, the sanctity of life, associated with defilement? How can the good and purity of life which blood symbolizes come out of impurities? How is the practice of blood manipulation represented in biblical texts? How can bodily refuse in this case blood be conceived as a symbol of purity, power and danger? How do readers of biblical texts understand the textual representations and interpretations of blood? Does each mode of blood manipulation rituals function as communicative symbols? Our response to these questions is threefold. First, we consider the sanctity of blood in relation to its purity and power. This is followed by an examination of danger beliefs associated with blood and lastly by an analysis of the sacred/taboo or purity/danger dichotomy within the context of the Old Testament and the New Testament as well as of the Shona Afro-Christians.

AbstractThe African Church grapples with practical issues relating o its ability to survive rather than abstract theological matters. Most of the Africans feel more prone to be attacked by evil forces than to commit evil acts. The solution is found in the protective force of the blood of Jesus. This popular theology is sweeping like wildfire across denominational lines in our land. People pray and cover various objects with the blood of Christ as protection against demonic attacks, epidemics, natural disasters, accidents and other suchlike experiences. Does the blood of Christ have a physical and material protection? Does Scripture support prayer for the blood of Christ to protect against perceived enemies and dangers? In whose authority do we challenge is it in the blood or in the name of Jesus? Dr. Olarewaju in this article addresses these questions.