George Ossom-Batsa

About

Rev. Fr. Prof. George Ossom-Batsa is an Associate Professor of Biblical Theology and Mission Studies. His areas of research are Pauline Literature, Wisdom Literature, Intercultural and Pragmatic Approach to Biblical Interpretation, African Biblical Hermeneutics, Ecological Hermeneutics, Religion and Development, and Inter-religious Dialogue.

Education

PhD (Biblical Theology), Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, 1997 - 2000

M.Phil. (Missiology), Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, 2001-2002

M.Phil. (Biblical Theology), Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome, 1992-1994

M.Phil. (Biblical Sciences), Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome, 1994-1997

Certificate (Advanced Hebrew and Semitic Studies), Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 1996

Certificate (Biblical Archaeology), Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 1995

Diploma. (Theology), University of Ghana, 1981-1982

Research Interest

African Biblical Hermeneutics

Contextual Theology (Missions)

Biblical Theology and Ethics

Intercultural and Pragmatic Exegesis

The Bible and the Environment

Religion and Development

Religion and Gender Based Violence

Publications

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2023). “Conceptualizing life and death among the Krobo of Ghana: A phenomenological perspective”. In Beyer Jaco (Ed). What has religion studies in Africa been up to? 184-208. Wipf and Stock Publishers.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2022). “Commento sul Att 13:1-12; 18:1-11”, In Ernesto Borghi (Ed.,)  Atti Degli Apostoli. Nuova Traduzione ecumenica e commentata. Fondazione Terra Santa: Milano, 185-188; 248-251.

Ossom-Batsa G. and Gatti, N. (2022). “Covid-19 and prosperity preaching. intercultural reading of the debate among Job and his friends”. In Chammah J. Kaunda (Ed.), World Christianity and COVID – 19: Looking Back and Looking Forward, 193-207. Palgrave, Macmillan.

Nsiah, G. & Ossom-Batsa, G. (2022). “‘Covenant and responsibility' as central themes in the Christian Bible”, Akungba Journal of Religion and African Culture, 9(2) : 150-159.

Otoo Joseph and Ossom-Batsa, G. (2021). “Trusting in God’s protection in the wake of COVID-19: An exegetical reading of Psalm 91”. In Chammah J. Kaunda, Atola Longkumer, Kenneth R. Ross, Esther Mombo (Eds.), Christianity and COVID-19: Pathways for faith, 177-187. Routledge: London, 2021.

Ossom-Batsa, G.(2021). la creazione geme ed è in travaglio” (Rm 8,22): lettura esegetico-ecologica di Rm 8,18-22, Parole e Parola,  Monografia 30: 37- 45.

Lassey, N. - Ossom-Batsa, G. (2021). “The implication of the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-44) for COVID-19 recovered persons in Ghana”, Ghana Journal of Religion and Theology,10 (2) , 27-43.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2021). “Leggere la Bibbia in Africa: Voci dal Ghanasu Giovanni 11”, In Ernesto Borghi (Ed.,)  Giovanni. Nuova Traduzione ecumenica e commentata. Fondazione Terra Santa: Milano, 345-355.

Ossom-Batsa George. (2021). Mission Studies (Brill), Book Review - Communion ecclesiology and social transformation in African catholicism.

Gatti, N. and Ossom-Batsa, G.(2020). “Prosperity Gospel and the poor: Intercultural reading of Job 24:1-12.” Interkulturelle Theologie 46(1): 135-157.

Ossom-Batsa, G and F. Apaah. (2018). “Re-thinking the Great Commission: The Incorporation of Akan Indigenous Symbols into Christian Worship.” International Review of Missions 107(1): 261-278.

Gatti, N and G. Ossom-Batsa. (2018). “The Drama of Infertility: Reading Isa 56:1-8 from Krobo Perspective.” Horizons in Biblical Theology 40(2): 115-141.

Gatti, N., & Ossom-Batsa, G. (2018). “Feminization of poverty: Prosperity preaching and Job 24:1-17.” Ghana Journal of Religion and Theology 8(2): 41-70.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2018). “An Intersectional exploration of religion and gender-based violence: A Case study of Accra in Global Context.” Ghana Journal of Religion and Theology 8(2) 7-14.

Ossom-Batsa, G., N. Gatti and R. Ammah, eds. (2018). Religion and sustainable development: Ghanaian perspectives. Grandi Opere. Rome: Urbaniana University Press, 2018. 

Ossom-Batsa, G and J.L. Kobina. (2017). “Church as family of God: An African ecclesiological model under scrutiny.” Urbaniana University Journal 70(2): 217-241.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2016). “Faith and morality among urban dwellers of Roman Corinth.” Convivium Assisiense, 18(2): 7-20.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2016). “The Paschal Mystery and Pauline ethics: A reflection from Ghanaian perspective.” Spectrum 1(1): 100-118.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2015). “Exploring Human Dignity in the Old Testament: Ruth – Naomi Story as Exemplar.” Orita,XLVII (1-2) : 235-252.

Gatti, N and G. Ossom-Batsa. (2015).“Per dire Dio: Letture interculturale delle immagini di Dio in Osea. Urbaniana University Journal, 69(2): 201-223. 

Ossom-Batsa, G. “Biblical exegesis in the African context: A communicative perspective”. In A. O. Atiemo, B.-W. K. Golo, and L. K. Boakye (eds.) Unpacking the sense of the sacred.A reader in the study of religions, 116-134. Banbury, OX: Ayebea Clarke Publishers, 2014.

Adika, S.K.G., G. Ossom-Batsa, and H. Yitah, eds. (2014). New perspectives on African humanity: beliefs, values, and artistic expressions. Faculty of Arts Colloquium Series. Accra-Legon: Adwinsa Publications Ltd, 2014.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2013). “Straniero’ tra i suoi. Lettura interculturale e pragmatica di Gv 1,1-18”. In Il diverso e lo straniero nella Bibbia ebraico-cristiana. Uno studio esegetico teologico in chiave interculturale edited by In M. Grilli, & J. Maleparampil, 233-249. Bologna: EDB, 2013.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2012). “Celebrare l’eucaristia per divenire comunità eucaristiche: Lettura di Mc 14,22-25 nel contesto culturale dei Krobo (Ghana).” In Donare. Esegesi, teologia e altro. Scritti in onore del prof. don Giancarlo Biguzzi per i suoi 70 anni, edited by R. Amici and C. Bazzi, 143-161.Studia, 63. Vatican City: Urbaniana University Press, 2012.

Gatti, N. and G. Ossom-Batsa. (2011). Journeying with the Old Testament. In Das Alte Testament im Dialog, 5.Frankfurt/Main: Peter Lang, 2011.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2011). “Responsible community behaviour or exclusion: Interpreting I Cor 5,1-13 from communicative perspective.” Neotestamentica, 45(2): 293-310.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2008). “Ritual as Mechanism for Securing Life and Averting Evil.” Acta Theologica,28 (1): 143-160.

Gatti, N and G. Ossom-Batsa. (2008). “Malattia e guarigione. Il Vangelo interpella la cultura Krobo.” Ad Gentes 12 (1): 77-97.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2006). “Christological issues: stumbling block or meeting point for Muslim-Christian dialogue?” Ghana Bulletin of Theology 1, 95-101.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2006). “Bread for the broken: pragmatic meaning of Mark 14:22-25”. Neotestamentica, 40 (2): 235-258.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2006). “Making Jesus a journey companion of the Krobo: A theological viewpoint.” Bible Bhashyam 32 (3): 210-224.

Ossom-Batsa, G. “African interpretation of the Bible in communicative perspective.” Ghana Bulletin of Theology, 2: 91-104.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2002/2003). “The ministerial priesthood in Africa.” Ethiopian Review of Cultures, 12 & 13: 206-217.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2001). The institution of the eucharist in the gospel of Mark. A study of the function of Mark 14,22-25 within the gospel narrative. In EH XXIII/727. Frankfurt/Main: Peter Lang, 2001.

Ossom-Batsa, G. (2001). “The Theological significance of the root ŠWB in Jeremiah.” Andrews University Seminary Studies 39 (2) : 223-230. 

Ossom-Batsa, G. and Nsiah, G. Leadership and morality in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13: Lessons for contemporary Ghanaian church polity, PAJOT, 1 (1) : 1-17.