Browsing by Author "Mazamisa, Welile"
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- ItemOpen AccessAfricanisation of worship in the Langa Moravian church : liturgy in a new key(2000) Kronenberg, Joy Faith; Mazamisa, WelileThis thesis explores "inculturation as it has and has not taken place in the Moravian Church in general and specifically at Langa where the writer has been a probation minister from 1998- 1999 and an ordained minister from 1999 onwards. It explores the amelioration of the present undesirable situation. It is recognised that life is not static but dynamic, that worldviews change, and human identity is reconstructed. So, moves are indicated that will assist to transform the attitudes of the faithful. We need to aim for an atmosphere of discussion and shared decision making that is for active participation in leadership and genuine collegiality in a Church which no longer insists on its own monochrome culture but exists as a multicultural family of sisters and brothers in communion. This study seeks to examine the socio-literary function of the theme of this thesis Africanisation within the Langa Moravian Congregation: Liturgy in a New Key and will adopt a socio-linguistic perspective. The use of this approach emanates from the fact that this study is concerned about the language and anti-language as practised in the Church and society. Social scientific methods are a departure from the positivist empiricism of the historical critical method With the imposition of one religion over another and the unfounded assumption that one is universal, single, normative and a criterion according to which the world religions ought to be judged, the missionaries committed a social sin against the whole world; that human beings, in general and Africans in particular were judged as either cultured or uncultured, civilised or uncivilised, human or savages, through the Christian religion; that all other religions ought to be judged as either being true, false, authentic and /or revealed through Christianity. The term 'imposition' refers to a method or process by which doctrines, religious customs, morals and ways of praying and acting are brought from the outside, from a foreign or alien culture and tradition and imposed or forced upon the new cultures. It shows no appreciation, no respect or regard for the values, customs and religious traditions of the group that is the object of mission. The first missionaries who came to South Africa infiltrated all sectors of the social infrastructure and became saviour gods in their own right, while at the same time they did everything within their power to displace African culture and Westemise the Africans. We are made to live in a network of interdependence with one another, with God and with the rest of God's creation. As we say in Xhosa Umntu ngumntu ngabantu- a person is a person through other persons. A solitary human being is a contradiction in terms. A totally self-sufficient human being is ultimately subhuman. This is also true of the different nations: that one people has particular gifts, a distinct world view, a cultural ethos, which is not necessarily better or superior to those of other people. So we find that Africans have a strong sense of community, of belonging, whereas Occidentals have in contrast a strong sense of the individual person. These attributes, in isolation and pushed to extremes have weaknesses Within the wider perspective of sociolinguistics, the model that used here is that of Language and Anti-language. An antilanguage is a language that is generated by an anti-society, that is, a social collectively which is embedded in another society but feels threatened or alienated by the dominant conventional norms of the wider society and therefore sees itself as a conscious alternative to it. The language generated by such a social collectively serves to express its alternative view of social reality and becomes a mode of resistance to the prevailing social order. I hope this study will re-emphasise my conviction that the Church remains the terrain as well as the weapon of struggle for the liberation of the poor, marginalised, oppressed and exploited.
- ItemOpen AccessAncestors in African religion : a comparative study of the role of ancestors in the Sotho and Nguni worship and religious ethics(2003) Moiloa, Peter Mokhele; Mazamisa, WelileBelief in ancestral spirits among the Africans has always aroused a hot debate among scholars of African Religion. To a great number of scholars this belief seems to have been exaggerated. The fact that Africans speak more about their ancestors than about God has led some scholars into thinking that God has no place in African Traditional Religion.They argue that God is not worshipped in African Traditional Religion.
- ItemOpen AccessBlack theology : a quest for a true humanity in South Africa(1988) Lapoorta, J J; Mazamisa, WelileThe Apartheid ideology and political system in South Africa has caused blacks to experience their blackness negatively. Being black is the reason for their pain and suffering. This is not merely a political problem but in its deepest sense it is a theological problem because it has caused doubt in the hearts and minds of blacks, as to whether they are created in the image and likeness of God. Apart from that Apartheid also presented itself as a command of God, and as such it is a pseudo- religion. In the thesis this problem is examined from a biblical-theological perspective. Chapter one looks at humans created in the image of God, the dignity which implies their right and their equality before God. After investigating the insight of a cross-section of theologians, it is clear that the dignity of all people irrespective of race and colour is beyond dispute. Chapter two examines the black experience against the biblical background. Despite the theoretical consensus regarding human dignity, blacks are experiencing their blackness in a negative sense. The reason for this is the negative anthropology of white theology. Chapter three discusses the emergence of the critical conscious- ness towards the negative anthropology. The Black Consciousness philosophy played a positive role in countering this negative anthropology. Black Theology used these insights to develop a positive anthropology. It brought awareness of human dignity, but it did not lead to action. Chapter four discusses the total liberation from all situations of oppression, exploitation and dehumanization. The basis for this liberation is found both in the Old and New Testaments. In this regard the Exodus Paradigm and the Nazareth manifesto play significant roles as biblical models for total liberation. From these paradigms it is concluded that Yahweh in the Old Testament is the Liberator of the oppressed, and that New Testament salvation in Christ, links up with the Exodus model in which God sides with the oppressed. Biblical liberation and salvation is not merely spiritual but involve the total human. Chapter five looks at the sources from which Black Theology draws in an attempt to define its positive anthropology. Apart from the already mentioned biblical sources and Black Consciousness ' it also draws from the black experience and the Traditional African Religions. The final conclusions are that black theology brought a new appreciation to the fact that blackness is a gift of God and not a curse. The liberation of humans, an important emphasis in black theology is firmly grounded in the scriptures and involves the total being. That black theology is not racism in reverse, nor is it an ideology, but a quest for humanity, firmly grounded in the biblical tradition.
- ItemOpen AccessThe captivity of the Bible in South Africa : toward a pastorally concerned biblical hermeneutics(1990) Sampson, Courtney Dale; Mazamisa, WelileVarious contemporary Liberation methodologies of Biblical interpretation have generally failed to find a firm enough footage amongst communities of the oppressed. This is so, in spite of the fact that these methodologies are born out of the struggles for liberation of these communities. Most of the people who have a relationship with the Bible, are quite ignorant concerning the human element in the production of the Bible. This ignorance, amongst others, results in a subservient and uncritical approach to the Bible. This is essentially the issue that this thesis wants to address. Chapter one deals with the human origins of both the Old and New Testaments. This is followed by a chapter on methodologies of biblical interpretation. Both in essence seek to highlight and celebrate our humanity by highlighting the human element in our understanding of the Bible. Chapter two also deals with the question of what constitutes a sacred text. Chapter three is a critical reflection on existing Liberation theologies and particularly looks at Liberation theology in Latin America, Black and Prophetic theology in South Africa and Feminist theology. The perception of the Bible which are influenced by these theologies are used in developing a hermeneutical starting point which does not regard the Bible as the absolute and ultimate Word of God, but as a source in the Christian tradition. Chapter four is an attempt to show how the ethos of a denomination influences the way in which people understand the Bible. It is then argued that it is impossible for anybody to follow the Bible literally because of the ways in which various factors such as socio-political, economic, psychological and tradition influence our interpretation of what is read in the Bible. Furthermore, people do not in reality accept the Bible as the absolute Word of God although most seem to claim that it is and Biblical scholars and theologians have this as their hermeneutical starting point. Given these arguments, people do have a special relationship with the Bible and it is a meaningful religious symbol to many who find solace, comfort and direction in it. The Bible must be seen in the context of the community of faith and therefore it must be studied in that context. Any hermeneutics must take the needs and limitations of these communities seriously as Biblical scholars are challenged to be sensitive about the faith of the people for whom the Bible remains a holy and inspirational source, especially if they are victims of oppression. The concluding section challenges Bible study facilitators to question their own hermeneutics in the light of the evidences of this thesis and to see the empowerment of the oppressed as a priority in the presentation of the Bible. This is the underlying issue of importance throughout the thesis, i.e., how the Bible can be appropriated by communities of the oppressed who adhere to the Christian faith, in the struggle for liberation and transformation.
- ItemOpen AccessContextualized biblical hermeneutics in Korea and South Africa and decontextualized biblical hermeneutics in Jehovah's witnesses : in search of voices from the margin(2003) Kim, Hyangmo; Mazamisa, WelileThis thesis is in search of voices from the margin in biblical hermeneutics. Firstly, biblical hermeneutics in the third world (Korea and South Africa) is marginalized by European biblical hermeneutics. However, their biblical hermeneutics plays significant roles in a political and cultural context in the name of the same God. Therefore, from a historical viewpoint, this thesis compares and analyses ’contextualized biblical hermeneutics’ in Korea and South Africa. in the process, this thesis reveals that their voices have significance. From a cultural aspect, Koreans’ unique Christian religious practices, which were characterized by ‘early-morning prayers’, ‘audible prayers’ and ‘rice contribution’, induced Christianity to be transformed into Korean Christianity. Similarly, Africans interpreted the Bible without losing their traditional cultural assets such as ‘ancestor worship’, ‘polygamy’, ‘music & dance‘, and ‘healing’. Furthermore, they developed and transformed Christianity into the African Christianity through their own agencies, AIC (African indigenous Churches). On the other hand, from a political aspect, whether Europeans (Afrikaners) or black South Africans; whether Japanese or Koreans; whether oppressors or oppressed, the Bible was the object of political interpretation for strengthening Bible readers’ political power in each context. in other words, Bible reading was contextualized given political context of each Bible reader. if Bible reading was important to Europeans, so it was also vital to Koreans and South Africans. This is because the Bible has been interpreted on the basis of Bible readers’ context in history, whether in European, Korean or South African cultural and political contexts. On this ground, there is no reason why Korean and South African biblical hermeneutics should be disregarded by European biblical hermeneutics. In the name of Korean Christianity or South African Christianity, they must have their voices. Secondly, biblical hermeneutics of Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs)' is marginalized in the name of heresy by Christendom, which includes mainline churches in Europe, South Africa and Korea. However, their biblical hermeneutics plays important roles in unifying people of different contexts on the basis of the same Bible. Therefore, this thesis reveals the significance of their ‘decontextualized biblical hermeneutics’ through exemplary biblical interpretations. In the process, their voices have significance. From a cultural aspect, JWs' missionaries arrived comparatively later than mainline church missionaries. Accordingly, they did not have to get through cultural conflicts between traditional cultural norms and biblical norms. On this ground, their biblical interpretation could be applied in a global dimension, which reveals a sur-cultural aspect. In particular, their ‘house-to-house preaching work’ and ‘abstaining from blood transfusion’ are their representative religious practices, whether in Korea or South Africa. From a political aspect, .JWs have not participated in wars, military service or military training. Therefore, they have been persecuted by governments and military authorities. Worse still, they have been branded as heretics by Christendom. Nonetheless, on the basis of ‘decontextualized biblical hermeneutics’, this thesis puts an emphasis on various biblical reasons why they consistently have rejected and continue to reject military service. Central theme of their Bible reading is based on God's Kingdom beyond their political and cultural context. Nonetheless, this theme of God's Kingdom provides JWs with great strength, with which they are able to live in global unity. On this stance, they did not take part in the past tragic political history, whether in Korea or South Africa. Lastly, even though diverse and pluralistic biblical interpretation was a threat rather than a productive challenge to church authority, this thesis reveals that a dichotomous category could be the first step in reading the Bible for contemporary Bible readers in the name of ‘contextualized and decontextualized biblical hermeneutics.’
- ItemOpen AccessDestroying the wall : in search of "unity in difference" in 'Onjeong' biblical hermeneutics on the basis of Korean and South African political and cultural contexts(2006) Kim, Hyangmo; Mazamisa, WelileThis thesis is in search of "unity in difference" in 'Onjeong' (human being's warm hearted love) biblical hermeneutics on the basis of Korean and South African political and cultural contexts. The theme of difference was, explicitly and implicitly, directed into the stream of discrimination in the dimension of "questing for sameness." Under the motto of "becoming metaphoric Israelites," each group of Korean and South African political Bible readers identified themselves with metaphoric Israelites and explicitly discriminated against metaphoric non-Israelites in the name of imperialism, nationalism, classism, racism, and liberation movement. In addition, each type of Korean and South African cultural Bible readers dissolved the tension of difference on the dialectical dimension of "questing for sameness" towards "becoming Christians." However, under the strong influence of 'dichotomous discriminative Cartesian psyche' and 'the pressure of the discriminative political ideology', cultural Bible readers could not avoid the violence of the imposition of the grand narrative of "becoming metaphoric Israelites."
- ItemOpen AccessLuke and the marginalized : an African feminist's perspective on three Lukan parables (Luke 10: 25-37; 15: 8-10 ; 18: 1-8)(1992) Matsoso, Irene Martina Litseoane; Mazamisa, WelilePart I of this study introduces the problem and the feminist methodologies to be employed in the thesis. The argument is that biblical scholarship and interpretation was based on Western patriarchal androcentric and sexist approach which considered maleness as normative human behaviour. The feminist approach to the parabolic interpretation is introduced as a contrast to the normative male dominated Western scholarship. Feminist theology demonstrates convincingly that the androcentric and misogynist bias of patriarchal tradition is serious. Then again, American, European African women theologians realize the need has arisen to establish alternative norms and sources of tradition to challenge these biases, and women seek a reconstruction or re-envisioning of the theological themes that will free males from these biases. While sharing these concerns I want to discuss these issues from the point of view of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians whose founding person is Mercy Oduyoye. These women feel oppressed by their African culture, religion and White domination. The African context will be represented by the Lesotho situation whose areas of similarity in oral mentality, culture and mode of life between the Basotho people and the ancient Jewish culture are close. Part II presents a historical interpretation of the three selected parabolic paradigms. These are: The parables of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37), The Lost Coin (Luke 15: 8-10) and The Unjust Judge (Luke 18: 1-8) . This presentation is exposed by a selection of three scholars who typify the approach and views of their generation in the interpretation of each respective parable. Part III focuses on critical analyses of the three parables. The structural, exegetical, hermeneutical and African feminist's analysis will be the burden of this section. The conclusion will be the culmination of the present study.
- ItemOpen AccessRediscovering ancient Egypt : an African perspective(2002) Agulhas, Mark Marshall; Mazamisa, WelileThis research focuses on the role of Ancient Egypt during antiquity. It attempts to demonstrate a rereading of Egypt through the lens of an African, in relation to the views held by traditional scholarship. It also provides its readers with an alternative way of looking at how Egypt and the Near Eastern countries influenced each other. Secondly, this research provides evidence, which suggests that the founders of ancient Egyptian civilization relates closer to their African heritage than their Asian, or even its European neighbours. This research also provides evidence, which suggest that most world-renowned Greek scholars studied under the feet of the Egyptian priest-scholars. The role of the 'Wisdon of the Egyptians' is discussed in comparison to other forms of wisdom, including Greek philosophy. Thirdly, this research provides us with new tools with which we can interpret sacred literature through the lens of an African. These tools play a significant role in the development of an African approach. Throughout this research, African scholars are searching for an African discourse, which aims at providing an alternative approach to the Western or European discourse. This perspective is vey helpful in redefining the role of ancient Egypt throughout the ancient world.
- ItemOpen AccessSocial problems surrounding health at SADA and the role of the church in effecting redress(2002) Sabsana, M; Mazamisa, WelileThe aims will be double-pronged for we are dealing with divergent and yet complementary issues of history and how they inform the present situation and circumstances. The area of focus is Sada (Eastern Cape), and yet the study was informed by experiences outside the region. This study, an exploration of the complex sociological problems and health phenomenon in particular, at Sada, with its national relevance is multi-layered in its aims.
- ItemOpen AccessSpirituality in the African National Congress struggle for liberation in South Africa : 1912-1996(1997) Masutha, Nkhumeleni A; Mazamisa, WelileThis thesis traces the influence of Spirituality on the African National Congress (ANC) struggle for liberation in South Africa (1912 - 1996). It therefore demonstrates how God has been operating in the South African conflict situation. Stories about Che Guevara's involvement in the struggle for freedom in Cuba and Bolivia and Dietrich Bonhoeffer's participation in the war against Nazism in Germany have been included in this work in order to expose the universality of spirituality. The main focus of this work is the practice of the ANC struggle for liberation between 1912 and 1996. When the history is read and synthesized from a Christian perspective it relates well to the biblical story about the liberation of the Israelites from the Egyptian bondage. The main source of information has been both primary and secondary documents. Content analysis as a research method has been mainly used in order to identify Christian traits such as selflessness, brotherly love, mercy, ability to forgive, gratuity and compassion as signs of the presence and influence of spirituality in the behaviour of the leadership of the ANC in this struggle for South Africa. Another preoccupation of this thesis is the ANC's need for national reconciliation and reconstruction of people's lives after the war of liberation in 1994.