Christian identity and justice in a globalized world from a Southern African perspective

Description

What does the globalized world that we live in mean for our Christian identity and for our struggle for social justice? That is the central question that is addressed in this book from a wide array of angles by members of the Association of Theological Institutions of Southern and Central Africa (ATISCA) and Justo Mwale Theological University College (Lusaka, Zambia).
"This book is about the struggle for social justice in relation to the self-understanding of Christians from Southern and East Africa in a globalizing world. Among other concerns, it brings out the connection between theology and disability where disability is reflected as an issue that calls for self-identity and self-re-definition. This book is an important resource on contextualisation of theology and it is worthy reading" Dr. Samuel Kabue, Executive Director of the World Council of Churches network EDAN.
"In a work long overdue theologians and other researchers in Christianity investigate, discuss and critique the influence of globalization on Christian identity in Southern Africa and its consequences in the struggle for justice. Despite all talk about a 'global village', the voices of Christians from Southern Africa are hardly ever heard. This book represents an important change in this respect. The book has been well edited by Hermen Kroesbergen and it is a must read for all theologians and ministers who want to reflect on our shifting identifies. " Christian Literature Fund

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Religion

Informations

• Publié par: CLF Publishers
• Date de parution: 01 août 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781868044993
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Christian identity and justice
in a globalized world from a Southern African perspective
Editor: Hermen Kroesbergen
Association of Theological Institutions in Southern and Central Africa (ATISCA)
Word & Context Journal,
Justo Mwale Theological University College, Lusaka, Zambia









© Christian Literature Fund
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form nor any means, electronically, mechanically, photocopying recording or otherwise without prior permission from the author and publisher.
This publication was made possible by a financial contribution of
Partners in Mission (Dutch Reformed Church Free State) and the valuable assistance of
Christian Literature Fund ( www.clf.co.za ) .
A variety of Bible translations have been consulted and quoted.
Cover design and layout: Amanda Carstens
First print 2014
Second print 2015
ISBN: 978-1-86804-499-3


Table of Contents
Preface
Christian identity in a globalized world
John S. Pobee
I. Global Identity?
General
Speaking as a Christian without borders: A globalized identity in a localised world
Hermen Kroesbergen
An Old Testament perspective
Edwin Zulu
Case studies
African spirituality and identity. Spiritual significance of land in African-authored Zimbabwean post-2000 fiction writings in English: an African-centred critical analysis.
Ruby Magosvongwe
Popular conceptions of Christianity in Zimbabwe as reflected in selected literary texts
Josephine Muganiwa
Christian identity amid African Religion: Buganu ceremony and the construction of multiple religious identities in Swaziland
Hebron L. Ndlovu
Consequences for training ministers
Challenges and opportunities for theological education in Zambia
Nelly Mwale and Joseph Chita
Training of ministers in a globalized world
Victor Chilenje
Consequences in politics
Christian faith and the public sphere: An analysis of Zambia as a Christian nation
Lukas Soko
Religion and politics in a flat world: Implications for religious and political actors
DT Banda
Accusations of Satanism in the public sphere
Johanneke Kroesbergen-Kamps
II. Global Justice?
General
Social justice in the global village: An imperative call to break the shackles of the past
Francois Nsengiyumva
Christianity and social justice in Swaziland:
A contextual investigation
Eliot Tofa
Poverty
Blaming the victim and not the perpetrator: An African Pentecostal interpretation of Psalms 37:25 in the light of the global North-South relations
Obvious Vengeyi
“Let justice flow like rivers…!” : A critique of the role of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe in the light of Amos 5:24
Nyasha Madzokere and Francis Machingura
Ecology
Voice of the ‘silent creatures’: An advocacy for Christian ecological justice in an era of consumerism
Lameck Banda
Gender
Same-sex relationships in Zimbabwe: challenges in the study of the phenomenon
Kudzai Biri & Molly Manyonganise
African socio-religious ethics and the empowerment of women in Zimbabwe: a critique
Kudzai Biri
Disability
Possibilities and constraints of introducing disability discourse in theological schools in Southern Africa: a case for Zambia
Edwin Zulu
Disability discourse: Imago Dei, teaching theology from a disability perspective
James N. Amanze
List of Authors

Table of Contents
Preface 8
John S. Pobee
Christian identity in a globalized world 14
I. Global Identity?
General
Hermen Kroesbergen Speaking as a Christian without borders: A globalized identity
in a localised world 32
Edwin Zulu Christian identity in a globalized world: An Old Testament
perspective 44
Case studies
Ruby Magosvongwe
African spirituality and identity. Spiritual significance of land in
African-authored Zimbabwean post-2000 fiction writings
in English: an African-centred critical analysis 54
Josephine Muganiwa
Popular conceptions of Christianity in Zimbabwe as
reflected in selected literary texts 68
Hebron L. Ndlovu
Christian identity amid African religion: Buganu ceremony and
the construction of multiple religious identities in Swaziland 83
Consequences for training ministers
Nelly Mwale and Joseph Chita
Pastoral training in the 21 st century: Challenges and opportunities
for theological education in Zambia 96
Victor Chilenje
Training of ministers in a globalized world 110
Consequences in politics
Lukas Soko
Christian faith and public sphere; An analysis of Zambia as a
Christian nation 124
DT Banda
Religion and politics in a flat world: Implications for religious
and political actors 136
Johanneke Kroesbergen-Kamps
Accusations of Satanism in the public sphere 148
II. Global Justice?
General
Francois Nsengiyumva
Social justice in the global village: An imperative call to break the
shackles of the past 164
Eliot Tofa
Christianity and social justice in Swaziland: A contextual investigation 173
Poverty
Obvious Vengeyi
Blaming the victim and not the perpetrator: An African
Pentecostal interpretation of Psalms 37:25 in the light of the global
North-South relations 184
Nyasha Madzokere and Francis Machingura
“Let justice flow like rivers…!” : A critique of the role of the
Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe in the light
of Amos 5:24 197
Ecology
Lameck Banda
Voice of the ‘silent creatures’: An advocacy for Christian ecological
justice in an era of consumerism 211
Gender
Kudzai Biri and Molly Manyonganise
Same-sex relationships in Zimbabwe: challenges in the study
of the phenomenon 224
Kudzai Biri
African socio-religious ethics and the empowerment of women in
Zimbabwe: a critique 235
Disability
Edwin Zulu
Possibilities and constraints of introducing disability discourse in
theological schools in Southern Africa: a case for Zambia 248
James N. Amanze
Disability discourse: Imago Dei , teaching theology from a disability
perspective 257
List of Authors 270


Preface
How does globalization influence the identity of a Christian in Southern Africa? How does it influence his or her struggle for justice? Theologians and other researchers in Christianity from Southern Africa investigate these acute questions in this book.
We live in an ever-changing world. In the past decades the pace of this change has quickened. Mass-media and the Internet bring the whole world into our offices and living rooms. Travelling to other countries and even other continents has become easier and more attainable. Many of us have family members who live abroad. As the saying goes: the world becomes a global village.
In this global village there are strong tendencies towards uniformity. In every major city in the world you can step into a Kentucky Fried Chicken or a Chinese restaurant. Preachers from other countries share their message on TV and have a following among our congregations. Contrary to this unifying force, there is also a tendency toward that which is authentic and locally embedded; like home grown food and traditionally made products, or a theology that appreciates African traditions.
Globalization raises questions about our identity. Who are we, as Christians in Southern Africa? Is Christianity the same all over the world, or are there many Christianities? Should we hold fast to the fundamentals of our faith or try to find new answers for a new time? And who decides? Who is leading and who is following? Support from international organizations can help in the fight for social justice – but what if this help comes with strings attached? What do we do with these themes within our theological institutions and in the education of ministers for the 21 st century?
What does the globalized world that we live in mean for our Christian identity and for our struggle for social justice? That is the central question that is addressed in this book from a wide array of angles by members of the Association of Theological Institutions of Southern and Central Africa (ATISCA) and Justo Mwale Theological University College (Lusaka, Zambia).
The book starts out with a general introduction of the theme by the renowned Ghanaian theologian John S. Pobee, who now lives in South Africa. Being one of the founding fathers of the ATISCA, Pobee reflects upon how intimately the original goal of this association – contextualization – resonates with the theme that is addressed here almost thirty years later: our Christian identity in a globalized world. Of crucial importance in this respect is to recognize the need for ethics and justice. Pobee illustrates this by discussing economics, gender and pluralism, concluding that the theme of this book goes to the heart of the theological agenda: carrying on a critical and engaging conversation between the Word of God and the identity, symbolism and existence of Africans in their pluriformity and globalized world.
The first part of the book focuses on the influence of globalization on the identity of Christians in Southern Africa. Is it possible to speak