The ninth Oceania Bible Studies Association (O.B.S.A.) conference is currently underway at the Congregational Christian Church Samoa's Theological College compound in Malua. 

With the discussions at the three-day conference guided by the theme "Bible, Climate and Health", the conference brought together over 150 participants from across the world and Samoa. 

A special service led by the Chairman of the Malua Board and Chairman of the C.C.C.S. Elders' Committee, Reverend Elder Asotasi Gu Time marked the commencement of what is expected to be a "fruitful three-day talanoa sessions" on how to understand the bible when it comes to address the concerns brought on by health crises and climate change. 

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa delivered the keynote address and spoke about the significance of the partnership between the church and the State in addressing some of the pressing issues in Samoa from time to time. 

The Chairman of the C.C.C.S. General Assembly, Reverend Esera Auatama Esera also spoke on behalf of the biggest denomination in Samoa to officially welcome theologists, experts, and participants to Samoa and Malua. 

He also acknowledged the leadership and membership of O.B.S.A. for choosing the C.C.C.S.' Malua Theological College as the host for the very important meeting. 

One of the founding members of O.B.S.A., Methodist Church in Tonga, Reverend Dr. Jione Havea, who is also a research fellow with Trinity Methodist Theological College (New Zealand) told this newspaper that he is ecstatic about this year's meeting. 

Rev. Dr. Havea – whose work focuses on the intersections of cultures, scriptures, critical theories, and religions – said he is excited about the engagement and interactions with the theological students not only from Malua but also from other theological colleges.

"The main significance is that we are hosting the meeting in a theological school, and one of the purposes of these meetings is that it is not organised for scholars but for theological students and our community," said Rev. Dr. Havea, who is also the Public and Contextual Theology Research Centre at the Charles Stuart University. 

"For me, that is very important to have this crossing over from the classrooms and lecture halls to a setting where the experts can share their knowledge with the students and ordinary members of the communities.

"The theme for this meeting is fitting as we will be bringing together the aspect of how to read the bible in the context of health crisis and climate trauma. Health crisis in terms of epidemics, measles and then the global COVID-19 pandemic as well as the ongoing struggles with climate change. 

"Some of the students will be writing on those issues in terms of how they can interpret and understand the bible in the context of Samoa. and connecting it to these issues. 

"We have brought to Samoa a couple of experts and researchers who will be presenting papers to all the participants. There is someone from South Africa who is an expert in climate change and theology, we also have a scientist from Australia who goes to Antarctica about once or twice a year."

"In a lot of societies in Pasefika, people tend to think that the bible and theology are about getting to heaven and not about how to live life on this earth. 

"So health is about living in this life; climate is about surviving in this context, it's kind of bringing those who think that the bible and theology are about life after death to pay attention to our world. 

"As I said, I am excited about the possibility of engaging with the students. In previous meetings especially here in Malua, I hope the leaders of the church won't mind me saying this, but in the previous meetings, you would find the students outside the meeting halls. 

The Malua Theological College Principal, Reverend Dr. Vaitusi Nofoaiga expressed their appreciation for playing hosts to such an important meeting and as the President of the O.B.S.A. Rev. Dr. Nofoaiga explained that this marks 13 years since the inception of the association. 

He also paid homage to those who established the association such as Rev. Dr. Jione Havea, Rev. Dr. Nasili Vaka'uta, and Rev. Professor Otele Perelini who was the Principal of Malua Theological College from 1995 to 2010. 

O.B.S.A. according to Rev. Dr. Nofoaiga is a platform to create dialogue and "talanoa sessions" on realities and concerns deemed critical for the tasks of biblical studies in the region and beyond. These realities and concerns are addressed in several streams, attentive to the theoretical, hermeneutical, and communal impacts of biblical studies on Oceania’s sea of islands. 

He acknowledged the presence of the Leader of the government, noting the importance of building a strong relationship between the state and the church. The meeting is open to any church ministers from the different denominations in the country and also to the general public. The meeting will conclude on Friday.