JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTIVE THEOLOGY Gender, Religion and Theology in Africa Journal of the Centre for Constructive Theology Centre for Constructive Theology C/o School of Religion and Theology University of KwaZulu-Natal Room 212, Second Floor, New Arts Building, Golf Road Campus Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Tel: +27 (0) 33-260-6106 / +27 (0) 33-260-6132 Fax: +27 (0) 33-260-5858 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] Editor Isabel Apawo Phiri, University of KwaZulu-Natal Co-editor Sarojini Nadar, University of KwaZulu-Natal Copy & Language Editing / Layout & Typesetting Gary S. D. Leonard, University of KwaZulu-Natal Editorial Committee • Ezra Chitando, Faculty of Theology, University of Zimbabwe and theological consultant of Ecumenical HIV & AIDS Initiative in Africa • Philippe Denis, School of Religion and Theology, University of KwaZulu- Natal • D. Betty Govinden, School of Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal • Theresia Hinga, Religious Dept., De Paul University, USA • Madipoane Masenya (ngwan’a Mphahlele) Dept. of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, University of South Africa • Tinyiko Sam Maluleke, University of South Africa • Frans Verstraelen, Faculty of Theology, Religious Studies and Classics, University of Zimbabwe International Representatives • Jose Miguez Bonino, Instituto Superior Evangelico, de Estudios Theologicos, Argentina • Lydia Johnson, Presbyterian School of Ministry, Knox College, Dunedin, New Zealand • Erhard Kamphausen, Missionsakademie, Germany • J. J. Ongong’a, Faculty of Arts, Kenyatta University, Kenya • Peter J. Paris, Princeton Theological Seminary, USA • Anthony Reddie, Queens Foundation, Edgbaston, UK • Dana Robert, School of Theology, Boston University, USA JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTIVE THEOLOGY Gender, Religion and Theology in Africa Publication Information Volume 14, No. 2 & 15, No. 1 (2008/2009) ISSN: 1025-5648 Published semi-annually, in July and December, by: Centre for Constructive Theology Physical Address: C/o School of Religion and Theology University of KwaZulu-Natal Room 212, Second Floor, New Arts Building, Golf Road Campus Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Tel: +27 (0) 33-260-6106 / +27 (0) 33-260-6132 Fax: +27 (0) 33-260-5858 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] The Journal of Constructive Theology is a SAPSE Accredited Journal i JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTIVE THEOLOGY EDITORIAL POLICY STATEMENT The Journal of Constructive Theology is a semi-annual publication of the Centre for Constructive Theology, an initiative of the former Faculty of Theology, University of Durban-Westville. From 2004 its articles will focus on researched papers, which are relevant to gender religion and theology in Africa. The editorial committee will consider for publication submissions of a scholarly standard from any of the theological disciplines or related fields of inquiry, which provide useful perspectives in the area of gender, religion and theology in Africa. Particular areas of interest include the gendered analysis of: innovations in contextual theological education; theological and ethical reflection on social transformation; the significance of new religious movements and African-initiated churches; the role of women in religion and society; interfaith dialogue; peacemaking and reconciliation. The Journal of Constructive Theology seeks to promote dialogue and response not only within the academic theological community in Africa and beyond, but also faith practitioners working “on the ground” to build a more just society in the region. These may include clergy, other church professionals and laity across broad social spectrums who seek to read their faith against the critical issues confronting society today. Written submissions to the Journal of Constructive Theology may take the form of researched scholarly articles or essays. Book reviews, brief responses to articles, conference reports and summaries of research projects are also welcome. Submissions are evaluated through an editorial committee screening process. Further, the articles are also sent to a maximum of two competent scholars working in a similar field of interest for peer-review. Prospective contributors of scholarly articles should send two copies of their manuscripts to the editor by post, typed double-spaced, include full documentation in the form of footnotes and bibliography, along with an abstract and a brief autobiographical statement. E-mailed copies should be in Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format. Requests for a copy of the JCT Guidelines to Contributors style-sheet should be directed to the editor, E-mail: [email protected]. Published contributors will receive three complimentary copies of the issue in which their work is published. Opinions expressed by contributors are solely their own, and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial committee or the Centre for Constructive Theology. ii CONTENTS Pages EDITORIAL 1-8 “SACRED STORIES” AS THEOLOGICAL PEDAGOGY Sarojini Nadar 9-24 PEDAGOGY OF THE CASE STUDY APPROACH Edwina Ward 25-36 THE FEMINIST TEACHER: PEDAGOGY OF THE OPPRESSED WOMAN? Sarojini Nadar 37-56 INTRODUCING HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY TO POSTGRADUATE THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS Philippe Denis 57-72 COMMUNITY RECONSTRUCTING BIBLICAL STUDIES PEDAGOGY: THE CASE OF TAMAR AND KERINA Gerald West 73-90 BIBLICAL STUDIES: FROM TEXT TO CONTEXT Patricia Bruce 91-108 AFRICAN THEOLOGICAL PEDAGOGY IN THE LIGHT OF A CASE STUDY ON GENDERED VIOLENCE Isabel Phiri 109-124 KERINA AS BOTH CITIZEN AND CHRISTIAN: TEACHING PASTORS WHY THE GOSPEL NEEDS THE LAW IN OUR PUBLIC LIFE Steve de Gruchy 125-138 TEACHING AND LEARNING IN COMMUNITY WITH OTHERS: A TRANSFORMATION-CENTRED APPROACH TO THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION R. Simangaliso Kumalo 139-156 iii READING FROM THIS PLACE: A GERMAN STUDENT’S VIEW OF KERINA’S STORY Thorsten-Marco Kirschner 157-164 APPENDIX A: THEORY AND METHOD IN RELIGION AND 165-184 THEOLOGY RELG702—MODULE INFORMATION AND OUTLINE [2008] iv JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTIVE THEOLOGY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM Year 2009 1 Year (2 issues) INDIVIDUALS INSTITUTIONS Countries in Africa ZAR50 ZAR55 All other Countries US$45 US$55 Single Copies ZAR30 Elsewhere US$25 ENCLOSED is a cheque or money order payable to the CENTRE FOR CONSTRUCTIVE THEOLOGY for a 1-year 2-year Subscription or 3-year Subscription in the amount of ZAR_____, or US$_____. [Please ; the appropriate box] NAME & TITLE: ____________________________________________ ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ TEL: _____________________________________________ FAX: _____________________________________________ E-MAIL: _____________________________________________ Please return this form with payment enclosed to: The Administrator, Journal of Constructive Theology C/o School of Religion and Theology University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01 Scottsville, KwaZulu-Natal, 3209, South Africa Tel: +27 (0) 33-260-6106 Fax: +27 (0) 33-260-5858 E-mail: [email protected] v vi 1 EDITORIAL While this editorial is longer than usual due to this being a special double issue of the Journal of Constructive Theology, we are nevertheless proud to present to you what we trust will become a key resource, not only in feminist pedagogical method, but general theological pedagogy on the African continent. It was Denise Ackermann in her recent book, After the Locusts: Letters from a Landscape of Faith (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003) who suggested that our theological methods “reveal what in essence we think about how knowledge is acquired and transmitted, and which categories of thought are more important than others” (2003:xv). The essays in this double volume suggest that not only our theological methods, but also our pedagogical approaches, have much to reveal about how we believe knowledge is both acquired and transmitted. Drawing from a wide variety of perspectives from which pedagogy can be approached and each utilising a gendered narrative as a dialogical tool, the following scholars at the School of Religion and Theology in the University of KwaZulu-Natal, agreed to co-teach from their particular sub- disciplines the module ‘Theory and Method in Religion and Theology RELG702’: Ministerial Studies (Edwina Ward); History of Christianity (Philippe Denis); Biblical Studies—Old and New Testament (Gerald West and Patricia Bruce); Systematic Theology (Anthony Balcomb and Xolani Sakuba)1; Gender and Religion (Sarojini Nadar); African Theology (Isabel Phiri); Public Theology (Steve de Gruchy).2 Their resultant essays reveal how “knowledge is acquired and transmitted.” More than this, they also make plain their theological and social commitments to offer their students contextually relevant theological skills and tools. This is Kerina’s story, in the form it was used in the module: Kerina has been married for sixteen years now, and has two children (Selvan aged fifteen and Levin aged nine). Her husband, Peter, has been beating her periodically, for a number of years. 1 Due to varying circumstances, the reflections of Balcomb and Sakuba are not included in this collection of essays. 2 While the Public Theology section of the course was not offered in 2008, we have included in this issue of the journal the reflection offered by Steve de Gruchy on his section of the course on Public Theology offered in 2007. 2 They both come from working class backgrounds, with little education. Kerina works in a shoe factory and Peter works casually. He is an alcoholic. They belong to an Evangelical church, one that does not ordain women,