Doing theology in the post liberation era of Southern Africa by OTHUSITSE MOREKWA Submitted in accordance with the requirements for degree of DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY in the subject SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: PROF R T H DOLAMO FEBRUARY 2015 DECLARATION I OTHUSITSE MOREKWA Declares that DOING THEOLOGY IN THE POST LIBERATION ERA OF SOUTHERN AFRICA is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. _________________ (Signature) SUMMARY The Study of Theology plays a crucial role in the construction of a sound theology in this post liberation era of Southern Africa. This exercise is conformed to the academic learning and creates an environment where theology can dialogue with other disciplines. It helps in the critical reflection on the issue of God and human beings as the object of theology in African context. The study of theology and the doing of theology are methods which bring praxis and theory together. The doing of theology is the daily work of a pastor in a congregation. It is an exercise that put theological theories into practice. This is a methodology that guides the process of developing a contextual theology in Southern Africa. It is a process of taking theology from classroom to the congregations the community. The study of theology and the doing theology are soul mates. They work hand in hand to address contemporary situations. Human beings should know their physical organic environment. They are the object of theology. People experience God from natural science. Liberation theologies e.g. Africanist, Black and Women/Feminist theologies should use new approaches in order to meet the post liberation error challenges. The wholesome approach is another alternative to be used by these theologies. The approach is based on the interconnectedness of God, human beings and physical organic universe (Theanthropocosmic principle). The principle of Theanthropocosmic helps to direct theology in Southern Africa to be contextual and universal. Some new contextual theologies are born because of the theanthropocosmic approaches to modern challenges. The modern society is build under principles of democracy, good governance, peace and tranquility. The major role of theology is to ensure that the society enjoys those principles. i Theology is directed to a group and individuals. The social, political and economical challenges should be approached as a group. The wholesome approach is an appropriate method to address challenges imposed by globalization ideologies. The increase rate of poverty in Southern Africa brings up other social illness in communities e.g. corruptions, crime, diseases. There is a need to engage theology in economic globalization. The concept of Botho calls everyone in the community to participate in the fight against these social illnesses in the society. Theology is obliged to restore economic justice. The Church is encouraged to participate in the cultural liberation and renewal. She is compelled to do mission work in this paradigms of cultural changes. African renaissance is an urgent thing to be implemented order to overcome challenges imposed by globalization in Southern Africa. Key terms Post Liberation; Botho; Contextual; Doing Theology; Dualism and Universalism of theology; New Kairos; Healing; Object of theology; Modern theologies in Southern Africa; Theology of A luta continua; African renaissance ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface Acknowledgements Introduction 1 Chapter One 6 THE STUDY OF THEOLOGY 1.1 The Importance of Studying Theology 6 1.2 Theology directed to God, Humanity and Nature 9 1.2.1 God as the Object of Theology 11 1.2.2 Human beings as the Object of Theology 13 1.2.3 God and Human Beings as the Object of Theology 14 1.2.4 Theology of Nature 17 1.2.5 Theological Reflection on Human Involvement in Natural Environment 19 1.3 Human Beings and Physical Organic Environment 21 1.3.1 How God’s Creation is destroyed 27 1.4 Theology in Southern Africa Today 29 1.5 Theology Directed to Theory and Praxis 36 1.6 The Importance of Quality Theological Training in Southern Africa 45 iii 1.6.1 Making Theological Education Accessible to all 48 1.7 Conclusion 48 Chapter Two DOING THEOLOGY IN CONTEXT 2.1 Theology Directed to Contextuality or Universality of Experience 53 2.2 Doing Theology and Faith in Action 58 2.3 Post-Liberation Contextual Theology 62 2.4 Social, Political and Economic Transformation 66 2.5 Doing Theology in a Pluralistic Society 67 2.6 Doing Theology with the People 74 2.7 The Relevance of African Theology and Black Theology Today 89 2.7.1 African Theology 90 2.7.2 Christology 92 2.7.3 The Relevance of Black Theology Today 94 2.7.4 Black and African Theologies Today in Southern Africa 96 2.8 The Challenges of Feminist Theologies Today 100 2.8.1 Women Theologies 101 2.9 Conclusion 111 iv Chapter Three CONSTRUCTING THEOLOGY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (DUALISM OR WHOLENESS) 3.1 Theology of Reconstruction 113 3.2 Christian Theology and the African Traditional Religion 121 3.3 Theology in the Framework of Rainbowism 125 3.4 Revitalizing the Kairos Theology after Liberation 128 3.4.1 The Open Letter (Lutheran Churches in Namibia) 131 3.4.2 What is Kairos Today? 134 3.4.3 Truth, Memory and Renewed Identity 142 3.5 Theology in use 147 3.5.1 Political Leadership 149 3.5.2 Leadership in Church 153 3.5.3 The silent death of the prophetic voice 162 3.5.4 Theology of A luta Continua 164 3.6 Conclusion 167 v Chapter Four THEOLOGY DIRECTED TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE GROUP 4.1 Relevance of Theology in the society 168 4.2 Economic Development 173 4.2.1 Eradication of Poverty 180 4.2.2 Crime Prevention 193 4.2.3 Land issue 197 4.3 Economic Globalization 204 4.3.1 Theological Engagement in Economic Globalization 209 4.4 The Relevance of Botho (Ubuntu) 211 4.5 Disease and medicinal plants (healing) 215 4.5.1 Disease is a crisis in life(HIV/AIDS) 217 4.5.2 Theology of HIV/AIDS 219 4.5.3 HIV/AIDS as a New Kairos 221 4.5.4 Theology of life 224 4.6 Doing Mission Theology in Southern Africa 228 4.7 African Renaissance 235 4.8 Conclusion 239 4.9 Summary 240 6. BIBLIOGRAPHY 244 vi Introduction The main task of theology is to reflect on how human beings live out their faith. Theology should address dilemmas people find themselves in. These include issues of faiths, traditions, cultures,morality etc.It should address people’s questions and situations. It is important that theology reconciles the dynamics of time. Therefore the past, the present and the future should be systematically analysed to determine people’s situations in matters relating to their faiths.This thesis will find out possible way show theology is able to deal with the dynamics of time and the challenges that today people find themselves in. Theology has gone through different development stages before it became an academic discipline. It became a field of study during the Twelfth Century. There were branches which emerged out of thisfield of study. Those were Biblical Studies, Speculative Theology and Apologetical Theology.1 Attempts were made during that century to develop theology into an academic discipline. St.Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) states that theology is an intellectual discipline borne out of the meeting of faith and reason.2Therefore, issues of faith should be taken not only as religious matters, but also as things which are academically valued. This research work will trace back this development of theology into academic discipline and how it influences the present day. The proliferation of African Independent Churches in Southern Africa had both negative and positive impacts on the study and the doing of theology. The thesis will discuss critically both negative and positive impacts of the African Independent Churches in the region. The contribution of these churches to the post liberation theologies has widened the theological scope of many churches in the region.Their critical reflection in theology and how they influenced the faith of people in the region after liberation era will also be discussed. 1 Gaybba 1984,22 2 Gutierrez 1973,5 1 The Study of theology and the doing of theology are methodologies which can direct us on how to deal with crucial issues affecting people. The studyingof theology is an exercise that takes place in a classroom. That includes the formal theological training at universities, seminaries and colleges.The doingof theology is an exercise done by clergies and others at congregations and in the community. It is the day to day work of the clergy. These methodologies should guide theology in the post liberation era in Southern Africa in order to see to it that theology reflects critically on the contemporary ethical, social and spiritual lives of the people living in the region. These methods help theologians to go into the world in the search of answers to people’s concerns and questions. In this work these approaches will play a prominent role in dealing with theological issues and crises people encounter.We will find out how these methodologies can enable theologians in Southern Africa to meet people’s needs. Liberation theology played an important role in human history, especially for the oppressed and the marginalised. Now theology faces new challenges in Southern Africa due to societal, economic and political changes. Any theology in this region should speak imaginatively of and respond creatively to God who meets us as people at the centre of life.3 God is not far away from the people, but close to His creation.