Theological renewal and the role of the church in the social reconstruction of Zambia

This study is about the renewal of theology and the role of the church in the social reconstruction of Zambia. It proceeds from the understanding that theology has and always will have a crucial task to perform in Zambia, a nation that professes itself to be Christian. This potential to contribute to public life, unless otherwise, demonstrates that theology is not primarily an abstract talk or a description about God-in-himself. Rather, it is an attempt to reflect critically on, and to express in the most clearest and coherent language possible, what it means to be involved by God in the divine creative and redemptive process of transforming the world into his reign. To examine this question, the study engages an inter-disciplinary theoretical approach, making use of various sources. It has drawn on liberation and post-liberation theories, popular language and sociolinguistics. The thesis examines the context of contemporary Zambia, analysing the social, economic and political situation for the past thirty-four years. This analysis is linked to the ecclesiastical history of Zambia. Particular attention is given to the mainline Protestant Churches. Directed towards bringing to realisation the vision of God's reign on earth today, imperatively, God's reign is defined. The definition sees reign from two dimensions: as a future hope and as earthly utopia. An interpretive link is then made between God's reign and concrete utopia. To root the theological argument, some theological currents operative in Zambia are examined. This analysis is necessary as it serves as part of the strategy to see the typology of theology in Zambia and how, need be, this theology can be renewed. The thesis ends with some theological propositions for re-imaging God's reign on earth today. Although they are not novel suggestions in theological method, to bring attention to these propositions in this study at the dawn of the new millennium, the church and theology in Zambia are offered yet another chance to reconsider their position so that they may live up to the challenge of their existence.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Religious Studies

Year dc:date.issued

1999

Author dc:creator

• Chrispin, Mbalazi

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• De Gruchy, John W

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9714

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9714