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Relational Life Through an African Lens

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Relational Life Through an African Lens RELATIONAL LIFE THROUGH AN AFRICAN LENS: A THEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF UBUNTU IN A WESTERN CONTEMPORARY CHURCH CONTEXT DEBORAH JOY DUCILLE A thesis submitted to The University of Gloucestershire in accordance with the requirements of the degree of Master of Philosophy in the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies The Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham July 2015 Abstract This research explores the origins and usage of the term ubuntu in sub- Saharan Africa and the applied ubuntu theology developed by Desmond Tutu in order to consider what, if anything, a theologically applied concept of ubuntu might offer to a Western contemporary church context as it seeks to grow in its relational life. Chapter 1 is an introduction to the research, offering the primary thesis statement, definitions, scope and an outline of chapter content. Chapter 2 provides some background to ubuntu through an exploration of its historical, contextual and linguistic development, its system of values and practice, and its subsequent understanding of personhood. This acts as a base from which the ubuntu theology of Desmond Tutu is overviewed in the context of post-apartheid South Africa. Chapter 3 outlines the ontology, methodology and methods chosen to explore the interface between the paradigmatic frameworks that govern the social sciences and theology. This includes a reflection on the nature of epistemology in the discipline of practical theology in which this research is located, and upon the characteristics of group interviews as the selected method of gathering qualitative data about ubuntu and the experience of relational life, both in urban Britain and in sub-Saharan Africa. Chapter 4 takes a thematic analytical approach to the qualitative data generated from two group interviews and extrapolates four correlative themes to bring into discussion with previous my exploration of ubuntu, in order to illuminate any transferrable aspects that might offer transformative resonance in relational life as experienced in a Western contemporary church context such as urban Britain. Chapter 5 forms a theological critique of Tutu’s ubuntu theology using the core concepts of the imago Dei, the nature of the Holy Trinity and ecclesiological praxis as dialogue partners to examine fundamental tenets of his position. In order to do so, the metaphor of perichoresis and the doctrine of participation have been employed to illuminate what may be meant by personhood, relatedness and koinonia of the Spirit in the context of Scripture and Christian tradition. Chapter 6 brings the themes of this research to a conclusion by evaluating any concept of an applied ubuntu theology and what, fundamentally, may bring transformative praxis into being in contemporary local church contexts such as that of urban Britain. It concludes with a vision for a vibrant and intentional koinonia through the shared community, agency and love of Father, Son and Spirit, and the Body of Christ. This vision affirms the challenge of interdependent life that Tutu has offered, but is essentially founded upon a reframed understanding of personhood, experienced through the radical and life-giving hospitality of the triune God. Author’s Declaration I declare that the work in this thesis was carried out in accordance with the regulations of the University of Gloucestershire and is original except where indicated by specific reference in the text. No part of the thesis has been submitted as part of any other academic award. The thesis has not been presented to any other education institution in the United Kingdom or overseas. Any views expressed in the thesis are those of the author and in no way represent those of the University. Signed………… Date…………… 30th July, 2015 1 Table of Contents Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………… 3 Chapter 1 – Introduction………………………………………………………... 4 Statement of inquiry Setting the context: significance of the study Location of research within theological studies Thesis statement Scope and limitations Definitions Outline of research Chapter 2 – An Exploration of Ubuntu……………………………………….. 16 Introduction Historical overview Ubuntu and apartheid/post-apartheid South Africa Linguistic development and translation Personhood in ubuntu Desmond Tutu and ubuntu theology Conclusion Chapter 3 – Epistemology, Methodology and Methods: Exploring the Interface between Two Paradigms and Resulting Fieldwork……………. 47 Introduction Theoretical perspectives and concepts Religious epistemology and ontology Revelation as a theological paradigm Theological theoretical perspectives and concepts Choice and background to research methods chosen The context for qualitative interviewing: group work Designing and implementing qualitative interviews Issues in implementation Analysis choices Forming generalisations Ethics by design My role as researcher Conclusion Chapter 4 – Analysis of Group Interviews…………………………………... 82 Introduction Theme 1: Self is always in relation to an ‘other’ Theme 2: Belonging/not belonging is fundamental to life with others Theme 3: Isolation, exclusion and loneliness are shaping Experiences Theme 4: Accountability/responsibility to the ‘other’ is a primary aspect of communitarian life Conclusion 2 Chapter 5 – An Exploration of Ubuntu Theology in Conversation with Scripture and Christian Tradition…………………………………………….. 120 Introduction Imago Dei and the scriptural establishment of relation and personhood a) Image and likeness b) The plural voice of God in Genesis 1 c) Ubuntu and Imago Dei The Holy Trinity as the source of relation and personhood a) Origins and development of trinitarian thought in church tradition b) The concept of personhood The nature of the ‘other’ and relation: perichoresis and participation a) Perichoresis: origins and semantics b) Perichoresis and ubuntu c) Three aspects of perichoresis d) Participation, theosis and deification Conclusion Chapter 6 – Conclusion: Developing an Applied Ubuntu Theology…… 163 Introduction Contextual, practical and applied theology Hermeneutic enterprise and practical theology Hospitality and agency: the ‘open’ Trinity The koinonia of the Spirit and the significance of participation A vision for church life in inner-city Birmingham a) Interdependence b) Accountability c) Worship and praxis Bibliography………………………………………………………………………. 191 Appendix A – Group Interview Questions Appendix B – Transcription I Appendix C – Transcription II 3 Acknowledgements I wish to express my gratitude to the following for their support and guidance during the writing of this thesis, to whom I am indebted: Helen Stanton, for consistently helpful and wise observations, unparalleled availability and deeply pastoral encouragement as my supervisor; Dirk-Martin Grube, for considered and incisive reflections delivered with kindness as my second supervisor; The students of The Queen’s Foundation, particularly Andrea Hill, Omari Hutchinson, and those who participated in group interviews, for their willingness to share of themselves, their time and their lives with such generosity; Deanna Tyndall, for her friendship and stimulating conversation, alongside articulate, sensitive and supremely careful proofreading; St Luke’s College Foundation, for their financial award towards the completion of my research; My family and my ‘larger family’ – Brian, Isobel, and Joe for their loving and good-humoured support, the koinonia of the church family of St Christopher’s, Springfield and others of the ‘beloved community’. 4 Chapter 1 Introduction Statement of inquiry It has been my intention through this research to engage in what I perceive to be a very real issue; that of the overall predicament of the Western contemporary church with regard to its relational life, fellowship and experience of community.1 As a practising member of the church within the orthodox Protestant tradition in urban Britain, my experience over the last 30 years has been that an authentic relational life as a community of believers is often sadly lacking. By lacking authenticity, I mean that life lived as the Body of Christ is not usually experienced as something both transcendent, which reflects its origin (springing from relational life in and through God), and vibrantly rooted in a particular context. Instead, it is often experienced as an impoverished, half- hearted reflection of the society around it, fragmented through indecisiveness in establishing an identity and a vision for life together, and subsumed by the prevailing Western individualistic worldview. Any sense of fulfilled personhood derived from relationship within the context of community is confined to an aspiration for the life to come. Setting the context: significance of the study In an increasingly secular society, where technology is humanity’s most intimate ally, where selfhood is individually constructed and autonomous knowledge is 1 Throughout my research, I have generally used the term ‘Western’ to denote a generic sense of First World countries in global terms, but more specifically as a cultural construct that is found in many First World countries, that carries a historic and philosophical emphasis that is Eurocentric, founded in Christendom and is a product of modernity/postmodernity in the post-Enlightenment era. 5 all,2 it is unsurprising to observe that the Western church is struggling to maintain a different narrative and calling to an interdependent life, focused upon relationship with God and ‘other’ as persons in community. Inevitably, I am heavily reliant upon my own context through which I am able to reflect on this
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