Browsing by Author "Villa-Vicencio, Charles"

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    The ambiguity of God : a post-colonial inquiry into the politics of theistic formulation in South Africa
    (1997) Savage, James Peter Tyrone; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    This thesis sets out to locate a post-apartheid perspective within what might be described as postcolonial Religious Studies, drawing on the genealogical method of Michel Foucault. Roughly stated, I understand the methodology to represent a shift away from preoccupation with the actual truth or otherwise of an idea, towards concern with the agitation - the discord, the discrepancies - that characterizes the appearance of an idea. Within the parameters, paradigms and possibilities imposed by this method, I inquire into the politics of theistic formulation in South Africa prior to the Union of South Africa (1910). Part One of the thesis discusses the politics of the advent of the Christian God in Southern Africa. In the three chapters that comprise this section, I situate colonial beliefs about God within colonialism as a discursive genre; in particular, evidence is provided of the deployment of religious (and in particular theistic) sensibility as a strategic category in the Othering discourse by which European expansion into Southern Africa was promulgated. Chapter Two opens by observing that colonial constructions of Otherness served not only to "erase" (Spivak) autochthonic identity, but also to eulogize and assert the colonial Self. Contextualizing my argument in the debate about the ambiguous effects of colonial missionary activities, I examine the mythically imbued, Othering discourse of Robert Moffat as a particularly conspicuous instance of the missionary qua colonial Self. Chapter Three gathers the concerns of Part One around the problem of theistic formulation in a colonial context, by discussing John Colenso's discovery of a theistic sensibility indigenous to autochthonic Africans as an example of a transgression of the Christian discourse that colonialism made function as truth. Part Two makes use of the categories established in Part One, and applies them to Afrikanerdom: its Othering in British colonial discourse; its religiously imbued, mythic history; and its beliefs in God. Having brought to theistic formulation a Foucauldian suspicion of systems of truth, my argument turns in Part Three to bring a particular theology, theologia crucis, alongside Foucault: accepting that the "dogmatic finitization" (Wolfhart Pannenberg) of Christian belief is inherently susceptible to the play of power, I observe that theistic formulation cast in terms of the cross - the "Crucified God" (Jurgen Moltmann) - holds a subversive potential in which may lie possibilities for an alternative to "truth".
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    An analysis of the nature and basis of Karl Barth's socialism
    (1985) Petersen, Robin M; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    Using certain insights of F.W. Marquardt's seminal, if controversial thesis, 'Theoloqie und Sozialismus: Das Bespiel Karl Barth's', as a point of departure, this thesis is an analysis of the nature and theological basis of Karl Barth's socialism. A comprehensive study of Barth's writings is conducted in relation to four areas, in an attempt to derive a more precise understanding of the nature of Barth's socialist commitment, and the manner in which Barth grounds this in his theology. The continuity and changes in both of these areas of Barth's thought are analysed, showing the parallel development of his theology and his socialist commitment. More significantly, the fundamental continuities underlying all these changes are identified, and it is argued that these continuities verify the general thesis that in Barth's theology there is a consistent attempt to ground adequately a socialist praxis that neither secularises the gospel, nor divinises the human struggle for freedom. There is thus a dialectical relationship between his theology and his socialist praxis, each influences the other, but neither can be reduced to the other. Barth's theology arises in a context of socialist praxis, as a means of grounding and explicating that praxis in a theological base. It is therefore influenced by this socialist praxis, but it can never be reduced to it. It has another source which is God and God's Word, from which it derives its centre and its power, and although God and humans are held together inseparably in the incarnate Word, Jesus, they cannot be confused or form a God-human hybrid.
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    A contextual history of Christian institutional involvement in legal assistance to the victims of apartheid, 1960-1982
    (1988) Klaaren, Jonathan Eugene; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    The perspective of this dissertation is one grounded in taking an option for the poor and the oppressed in the South African context. Ultimately, this perspective is a theological belief. The perspective is thus that of an explicit choice against apartheid and for social justice. This choice is made on the basis of a social analysis of the South African context. The attempt to write this dissertation from the perspective of the poor and the oppressed is unlikely to succeed completely. As a privileged white, the perspective of the author cannot be fully identified with that of the poor and the oppressed in South Africa. Nonetheless, the attempt is made to write this dissertation from a liberating perspective.
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    A critical evaluation of the concept of the revolution of God in the theology of Karl Barth
    (1987) Brews, Alan S; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    The paradox evident in these quotations from Barth's writings forms the centre of his theology. On the one hand, humanity is incapable of speaking of God. On the other hand, it is imperative for humanity to speak of God. This dilemma is resolved by God's act for humanity in Jesus Christ, giving rise to a human response of faith and obedience. Humanity can speak of God only because God has revealed Godself. Hence, all theology and praxis begins doxologically, in praise for God's initiative of grace. This thesis proposes that Barth's perception of this initiative of God is best expressed in the concept of the revolution of God, which provides a paradigm from which to recover the liberative and humanising intention of his theology. This theology implies human praxis which participates in the divinely instituted process of transforming human reality. In this way Barth simultaneously speaks of God and humanity, without confusing the deity of God and the humanness of humanity. This provides a way beyond both quietism and the legitimation of power, choosing instead permanent confrontation with power in the interest of true humanisation.
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    "Dit is baie mooi in die kerk" : experiences of work and religion among farm workers on selected farms in the Western Cape
    (1997) Ehlert, Beate Alida Anna; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    This study defends the thesis that the strong religious attitude of farm workers is a result of the socio-economic conditions and cultural traditions this specific workers' group faces. Furthermore, experiences of religion and the church as institution are regarded as a reflection of the level of awareness and consciousness. The thesis examines methodically the socio-economic and religious context of farm workers from different farms in the Wellington and Robertson district of the Western Cape. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected by conducting interviews. The questionnaire comprised of closed and open-ended questions. The broader field of religion and society and theories on work have been considered. The analytical aim of the research project is to show how experiences of work influence farm workers' way of perceiving socio-economic conditions and expressing religious feeling. In addition, this thesis provides an insight into farm workers' view of churches.
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    The divided roots of Lutheranism in South Africa : a critical overview of the social history of the German-speaking Lutheran missions and the churches originating from their work in South Africa
    (1989) Winkler, Harald E; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    This study defends the thesis that the present social location of the Lutheran churches can be explained by examining the history of their internal divisions and their relation to broader struggles in society. The history of the Lutheran missions and churches is considered in relation to the political and socio-economic dimensions of South African history. Church history is conceived as an internal struggle between a dominant and an alternative theology (and their respective ecclesial bases), which affects the participation of the churches in broader social struggles. The development of the churches is divided into three periods, corresponding to the growing independence of the black churches from the mission societies. The thesis is examined by extensive reference to primary and secondary sources on the Lutheran church. Interviews with key informants from the various missions and churches provide additional information. The broader field of church historiography, as well as theoretical writings on church history are considered. The analytical aim of the thesis is to show how· the struggles internal to the Lutheran churches - including struggles around theological issues - have affected their ability to participate in the broader struggle for liberation in South Africa. In addition to this analytical aim, the thesis provides a narrative history of Lutheranism in South Africa. The findings of the thesis are that white Lutherans have been the dominant group in the Lutheran churches throughout their history in South Africa. White Lutherans produced the dominant theology of all the Lutheran churches for most of the history of Lutheranism in South Africa. This dominance of German-Lutheran theology was established in the missionary period. The social base of the missions was the German farming community. This community broadly formed part of the ruling classes of colonial society, and its interests converged at many points with colonialism. Lutherans were not allied to the dominant colonial power, the British, but from the end of the nineteenth century to the Boers. Their theological self-understanding as Lutherans, with their specific missiology, ecclesiology and doctrines (e.g. the Two Kingdoms Doctrine) gave them an identity distinct from others in the ruling bloc. This theology was the dominant theology of all Lutheran churches, black and white. This theological self-understanding, however, gave them only limited autonomy. They conformed to dominant values by dividing along racial lines. This dominant ecclesiology had its effect beyond the missionary period, and resulted in the separate development of black and white Lutheran churches. Although the black churches gained more independence through the formation of synods and later regional churches, they have internalized to some degree the dominant theology taught by the missionaries. The internal divisions within Lutheranism have continued to prevent effective engagement in external struggles for justice. Yet in the course of struggles for unity and a more effective political witness, an alternative Lutheran theology and ecclesiology has emerged, mainly among young black pastors and church members, but also among some white Lutherans. It is among these people that a Lutheran tradition of resistance to apartheid in church and society can be discovered. It is here that the hope of the church is found.
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    The ethics of homicide : a contextual critique of the sanctity-of-life principle with particular reference to abortion and revolutionary violence
    (1987) Shapiro, Ivor; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    Society never absolutely prohibits homicide: there are "grey areas" in which it is sometimes tolerated or even encouraged. Moral discussion of each area is usually carried on in isolation from the others, and perhaps for this reason, frequently ignores or underestimates the complexities of the morality of killing. This thesis attempts to identify a general method for analysing such issues, so that they can enrich one another. A contemporary theological survey indicates that there should be a balance in Christian ethical method between the polar values of obedience in respect of general standards, and freedom to exercise individual responsibility. This implies recognising a place for intuitions, and specifying a way in which these can be subjected to criticism. In contrast, the Sanctity-of-Life Principle seeks to impose a universal prohibition on the killing of "innocent" human beings. While the Principle provides a useful general guideline, it is deficient as a moral norm - partly because of fatal difficulties associated with the concept of innocence. The method adopted in this thesis is that suggested by Philip Wagaman: methodological presumptions are identified and then tested in a utilitarian way. For the ethics of homicide, I propose a primary presumption favouring the preservation of life, and various secondary and linguistic presumptions. The contextual framework of the thesis is limited to two specific issues - abortion and revolutionary violence.
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    God's wrathful children : toward an ethic of vengeance, retribution, and renewal for a post-apartheid nation
    (1993) Boesak, Willem Andreas; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    God's wrath results in divine acts of vengeance in favour of the powerless and the oppressed. This manifestation of anger is devoid of hatred and malice, for in the first epistle of John, love is equated with God in such a way that it is the personification of the divine Being (1 John 4:7-12). God's grace, forming the nexus between compassion and wrath, renders any suggestion of a contradiction in the divine nature untenable. Human vengeance is, however, an ambiguous concept. It emanates from human anger, which often includes hatred and malice. Nevertheless, this cannot simply be dismissed as a destructive force, as it can be a valid form of resistance. The crucial theological-ethical question arises: Can the wrath of God's children (human vengeance) legitimately reflect divine anger? The first part of the thesis deals with the historical content of God's wrathful children, focusing on the history of struggle in South Africa. The age-old history of injustices perpetrated against black people has generated a deep-seated anger, a dangerous socio-political rage that cannot be ignored. The central question is: How should black people handle their anger theologically? Given the multi-religious and -cultural South African context this issue needs addressing at an ecumenical level, while taking interfaith perspective into account. The Zealots of first-century Palestine, the late-medieval reformer Thomas Muntzer, and the African-American activist Malcolm X, wrestled with the interplay between faith and vengeance. Case studies of these revolutionaries are dealt with in the second part of the thesis, and assistance is sought from their experiences in clarifying our own theological formulation. The final part of the thesis argues that post-apartheid South Africa requires a comprehensive, inter-faith 'ethic of vengeance' to curb destructive black political rage.
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    John Wesley and revolution
    (1989) Grassow, Peter; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    In 1988 Methodist people throughout the world were encouraged to commemorate the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the evangelical ·conversion of John Wesley. This thesis arises from a questioning of the exclusive emphasis placed by so many upon Wesley's Aldersgate experience. The question asked is whether Wesley's heart-warming experience was indeed the turning point of his theology and practice, or whether there were other equally important (or even more important) moments in his life. A fresh reading of Wesley has shown that the promotion of this one event in his life has led to a narrow focus which is not born out by his faith and practice. Not only were there many moments of decision in his life, such as the 1725 discovery of Jeremy Taylor's Rules and Exercises of Holy Living and Holy Dying, his submission· to become "more vile" through field preaching in 1739, or his 1784 decision to ordain priests, but each of such moments signified a change in the direction of his life. One such moment was Wesley's decision to respond to the American Revolution. This decision to enter the world of politics proved to be a turning point in his thought and practice, which holds unexplored potential for the political practice of the people called Methodist. It is therefore appropriate that during the anniversary celebrations of Aldersgate, Wesley's thought should be explored beyond the narrow confines imposed by this Aldersgate mania.
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    The Mixed Marriages Act (1949) : a theological critique based on the investigation of legislative action and church responses to this legislation
    (1985) Furlong, Patrick Jonathan; Webb, Colin de B; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    The thesis is concerned with the nature of the interaction between church and state, and more generally between politics and religion, in the matter of so-called mixed marriages, and more particularly the debate surrounding the South African Mixed Marriages Act of 1949. The methodology of the study is interdisciplinary, dealing in detail with historical material as a basis for theological reflection and analysis. In the first chapter, marriage is dealt with generally from a theological viewpoint. Various approaches to marriage are considered, such as those in African society, the Bible, and in the Catholic and Reformation traditions. In contrast with the fertility-lineage, group-oriented ethic detected in the early part of the Old Testament and in many preliterate and patriarchal societies, a personalist and essentially 'sacramental' model of marriage is developed on the basis of New Testament teaching and later Christian theological reflection. The effects of a fertility-lineage and group-oriented ethic of marriage in South Africa are demonstrated in chapter two, which deals with the drive for anti-miscegenation laws in that country, with special reference to the role of the Afrikaans Reformed churches in this regard. The third chapter takes up this historical material, examining the nature of the initial debate on the Mixed Marriages Act in 1949-1950 and the aims of the Nationalist Government in introducing this legislation. The contrasting responses to the Act on the part of the Afrikaans Reformed churches and the more 'liberal', non-racial, mainly English-speaking churches are also considered here. In the fourth chapter the developments in the debate surrounding the Act since 1949 are discussed, with special reference to key points in the changing attitudes of the churches (especially the Afrikaans Reformed churches) to this legislation. This provides the background to the heated debate since the mid-seventies, when the Government began to show apparent signs of favouring a reformulation of apartheid which purportedly aimed at eliminating the most obviously racially biased aspects of that policy. The final chapter examines the theological assumptions of Afrikaans Reformed thought, and attempts to show how its roots in a particular view of Calvinism, Kuyperian Neo-Calvinism and the Bible result in the kind of fertility-lineage ethic which makes support for the Act possible. An effort is made to show the theological inadequacies of this thought from a Christian perspective, and to suggest an alternative, more dynamic theology, which recognizes the importance of individual choice and human rights. The impediments to such a fundamental reorientation are recognised, however, and it is argued that any major changes in position on the miscegenation laws on the part of either reformist government politicians or the Afrikaans Reformed churches in the near future will face major resistance.
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    Pandora's box reopened : an essay on death, darkness and the meaning of nature
    (2000) Cowley, Graeme; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    This study seeks, as its primary objective, the formulation of a genuinely ecocentric hermeneutic. It consequently incorporates an argument against those "shallow" schools of ecological philosophy which assess the ecological crisis as simply an issue of enlightened self-interest, or of more effective resource management. More significantly, however, we have sought to deconstruct the mythos of contemporary ecocentric philosophy, itself, in order to demonstrate that its ideological underpinnings are not consistently ecocentric in nature. This polemical task serves to reframe the ecological crisis as, above all, a crisis of affirmation, and comes to yield a threefold problematisation of (ecocentric) meaning: the problem of methodology, or that of the relation between truth and representation; the problem of morality, or that of the relation between truth and value; and the problem of Immanentism, or that of a full-bodied divinity. Such problematisation has been negotiated by the systematic application of ecocentric precepts to an understanding of the relationship between Self, Nature and God. Particular recourse has been made to the category of organic 'interdependence" - or the idea of the profound kinship of the human and the non-human-and the notion of the primacy of "becoming" over "being - or the idea of the fundamental temporality of all existence. The implications of these principles are extracted through a critical dialogue with the thought of Darwin, Freud and Nietzsche- an intellectual lineage which, it is argued, most fully embodies the ecocentric ambition.
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    The privatization of the Christian faith amongst South African Baptists : with particular reference to its nature, extent, causes and consequences
    (1992) Kretzschmar, Louise; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    In this thesis, privatization means the restriction of the Christian Gospel to the private, spiritual concerns of the individual. A privatised Gospel is a dualistic, individualistic, spiritualised, and a-contextual distortion of the Christian faith. It either deliberately avoids the public sphere or responds to it in an uncritical and ineffective manner, thus, it is vulnerable to manipulation by group interests. The term the "South African Baptists" includes the 19th century pioneers who formed the Baptist Union (BU) in 1877 and those Baptists who have since been either full members of the BU or Associations of it. It also includes those groups who have since broken away from the BU such as the Transkei Baptist Union and the Baptist Convention of Southern Africa. For reasons of space, this thesis concentrates on the white and African components of the South African Baptists. Chapter one provides an explanation of what is meant by privatization and who the South African Baptists are. Chapter two outlines and defends the sociological, historical and theological methodologies employed in the thesis. Chapter three elucidates the Reformation roots of the Baptist tradition and, in particular, the importance of the influence of the Anabaptist tradition. Chapter four shows that only certain of the more privatised English Baptist traditions have been stressed by South African Baptist writers, whilst the important elements of social involvement and radicalism have been ignored or neglected. The fifth chapter of the thesis argues that the 19th century South African Baptists perpetuated a Eurocentric and privatised form of the Christian faith and conformed to colonialism. Chapter six deals with the period between 1892-1977 and shows that despite their verbal censure of the government, the BU propagated segregation and white domination within its own structures. Chapter seven, reveals that whilst many within the BU have exhibited reactionary or reformist approaches, the Fellowship of Concerned Baptists and the Baptist Convention, in particular, have resisted the privatised theological praxis that has dominated the BU for so long. Chapter eight, finally, proposes that the Baptists learn from their past and develop a more holistic theological praxis.
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    A Theological critique of the Christian pacifist perspective with special reference to the position of John Howard Yoder
    (1984) Russell, David; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    This study is an exercise in theological critique of the Christian pacifist position of John Howard Yoder, with a view to engaging in the theological debate on violence and non-violence. Given the wide ranging nature of this debate it is, however, necessary to ground such a discussion in a given context. South Africa has been chosen for this purpose because of my own sense of shared responsibility for the healing of this land in which I was born. The problem of violence, together with the use of force and power, is an area of ethics where the definition and clarification of terms is of particular importance. Words like 'violence' are used in different ways which, more often than not, reflect the perspective of the one employing them. Chapter 1 is, therefore, devoted to the attempt to clarify and define certain key concepts, and to draw attention to the inherent ambiguity attached to terms like 'violence', 'non-violence', and 'pacifism'. This thesis is not primarily concerned to analyse South African society. It is, first and foremost, a study in theological ethics concerning the use of force. Nevertheless, a brief outline of the South African situation has been presented, for two reasons. Firstly, no theology, and manifestly no theological ethics, can usefully be undertaken except in relation to the actualities of life. Secondly, the motivation for this study derives from being involved in this specific situation of violence. In Chapter 2, therefore, some description and analysis of South African society is given, simply in order to ground this study in a context. In reflecting upon the ethics of the use of force and the problem of violence, the challenge of the pacifist option is first considered. Given the wide variety of positions within the pacifist perspective, one highly regarded exponent of this tradition has been chosen, namely, John Howard Yoder. Yoder's position is presented in Chapter 3. In Chapter 4 a critical evaluation of this position is undertaken. This constitutes the central focus of this study. Apart from certain positive aspects, areas of criticism are analysed in depth. These concern the way in which Jesus is portrayed in the Gospels, and the debate around the implications of this for disciples. A further area concerns the debate around the nature and limitations of man's responsibility for wielding power as stewards of God's world. Finally, the complex issue of the reality of ambiguous moral situations is raised and analysed. The conclusion reached is that Yoder's position, though powerfully argued, is nevertheless unconvincing in certain respects. His claim that "every member of the body of Christ is called to absolute non-resistance in discipleship" is challenged, both in terms of biblical exegesis, and in terms of the nature of human responsibility to control the abuse of force in the world. On the other hand, it is conceded that Yoder's criticism of the alternative position has a certain validity. In this instance, his criticism is levelled more specifically at the methodology which Karl Barth employs in his theological ethics. This is evaluated in Chapter 5, and leads to a consideration of the methodological problem as it affects all ethics. A way through is suggested, which takes Yoder's criticisms into account while, at the same time, upholding the validity of Barth's position in its essentials, namely, that there are times when Christians can and must make ethical decisions which constitute a departure from, or exception to, the norm as commonly understood. Having analysed the methodological problem and suggested a tentative solution or way through, an alternative response is then presented and evaluated in Chapter 6. This is undertaken as an appropriate extension of the critique of Yoder's Christian pacifist position. If the latter position is found wanting, it is necessary for the sake of completion to suggest an alternative which is more viable. In this chapter, just-war theory is evaluated in some detail. The conclusion is that just-war theory remains a necessary and useful tool for the theological analysis of conflict and that, furthermore, it has a direct and important bearing on the ethical questions raised in the introduction to this study. These questions concern the debate over the involvement by Christians in the struggle for a more just and human society. Finally, in an unconcluding postscript, it is pointed out that a viable attempt to apply the theological conclusions would not be possible without a far more extended analysis of the situation itself. Such an extended analysis would require another major study. All that is possible, therefore, is to suggest some indications as to how the just-war theory might begin to be applied in this specific situation.
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    A theological critique of the military chaplaincy of the English-speaking churches
    (1984) Moll, Peter Graham; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    The essence of this thesis is a critique of the structure and form of the military chaplaincy in South Africa in terms of theological presuppositions that can generally be associated with Karl Barth's understanding of ministry. It focuses on the military chaplaincy of the English-speaking churches of South Africa: the period selected is the past ten years. After surveying the rather scarce literature on the military chaplaincy in South Africa and several Western countries, the author briefly outlines those aspects of the theology of ministry of Karl Barth pertinent to this thesis. In addition, the author explains his own position on war and conscientious objection, which is generally speaking in keeping with what may be referred to as the Barthian perspective on ministry. The author then examines the South African Chaplains' Service. He finds several aspects incompatible with the theology of ministry outlined in Chapter 2: rank, uniform, military appointment of senior staff, command influence of the military over chaplains, the hierarchical structure of the Chaplains' Service, in-house training of chaplains, security clearance and secrecy. He argues that the real test of the freedom of the military chaplaincy is whether chaplains are free to convey the church's message of peace. The author concludes that the English-speaking churches cannot yet be assured of the freedom of their chaplains, and shows that the "complete freedom" to which most of the Permanent Force chaplains lay claim is illusory.
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    Towards a theology of story : an experiment in contextual theology
    (1987) Crowder, Roy B; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    This study examines the role of story in the Christian proclamation. It focusses upon the dynamic of story which unites praxis and language in a single message. There are four stages of argument. The First Part examines the hermeneutic problem especially as discussed in the work of Gadamer, Palmer, Robinson, Funk and others writers on the so-called New Hermeneutic. Their views are set against the perspective of liberation and contextual theologies from Cone, Segundo, and Miguez Bonino amongst others. The impact of social praxis and context on communication and interpretation is examined. Its importance as a barrier to the translation of the whole dynamic of the gospel proclamation is stressed. Part Two examines Jesus parables and acted parables. The data comes from two sources: the dominant form-critical approach to parables as exemplified by Jeremias or Crossan, in which the situation behind the text is examined. Second is the recent sociological approach to the practice of Jesus taken by such scholars as Theissen or Echegaray. The approach to this data comes from an analysis of the "history of the transmission of the tradition", a concept developed by Pannenberg from the work of Rentdorf and Von Rad. It provides a series of categories through which the data is examined. The dynamic of story is shown in the unity of actions. Function and structure in the parabolic stories and The Third Part surveys the role of story as a category in contemporary theology. First, the approach of narrative theology is cosidered as in the work of Stroup, McClendon, McFague and others. Then the role of story in Third World theological reflection on liberation struggles is described. Examples are drawn mainly from Asia (China, Korea and the Philippines). The Latin American debate about such cultural forms is briefly reviewed. Lastly the role of story in some British contextual theology is discussed. The dynamic of story is discovered in the function and impact of stories in theological reflection in the struggle against oppressive situations. Part Four briefly notes the perspective of critical theorists, like Habermas, on hermeneutics. Finally an attempt is made to tell stories of theological reflection on domination as a practical exercise illustrating the theoretical themes of the study. The impetus for the study arises from two periods of practical experience. One of some ten years duration, was work in British inner city ministry and theological training, in a context where community groups were struggling against many manifestations of urban stress. The second period, of about half a year, was an exposure to the conditions of life in rural (communal lands) and urban (high density residential area) Zimbabwe, as a visitor to the Methodist Church. In both instances stories were a vital means of communication about the most important things.
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    Towards an ethics of sustainable development : a contribution to the debate on a theology of economics in he ecumenical movement
    (1996) Nantanga, Lukas Ilikola; Villa-Vicencio, Charles
    Chapter one introduces the debate in the Ecumenical Movement surrounding problems of poverty, unemployment and environmental degradation. In particular, the argument draws on the sentiment in the Ecumenical Movement that these problems are the result of "classical and neo-classical economic thinking". Having established a global context and a theoretical framework in chapter one, chapters two and three focus on Namibia. Chapter two discusses the policies of the Namibian government in addressing the problems of poverty, unemployment and environmental degradation, and chapter three examines the responses of the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) to these problems. In particular, it becomes evident that whereas the state in Namibia is attempting to address the three problems holistically - i.e., as inextricable from each other - the church shows a marked human interest at the expense of environmental concern. Chapter four introduces the Ecumenical Movement's Theology of Sharing as a Christian imperative for addressing threefold, intrinsically related problem of poverty, unemployment and environmental degradation. Chapter five proposes several models for the realization of this theology.