African Christian Theology of Reconstruction
Date
2001-02
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
Africa is in crisis, and indeed in a deep crisis, which from the analysis of many,
makes it a hopeless continent, ever degenerating and not capable of shaping its own
future positively. We would have expected that with the age of technology, globalisation
of the world economy and means of communication Africa would develop itself.' Instead
while the world is becoming one global village Africa remains at the edge, if not
swallowed by the village. Africa is more and more marginalised on the world's political
and economic scene. Internally, there are a plethora of problems ranging from ethnic
conflicts to gender based discrimination resulting in domestic violence. These conflicts
include trans-border conflicts between African nations. The outcome of all this is the
suffering of many, rendering it difficult to have any common meaningful project that can
foster a better way of living together. Hence what is our attitude in front of this African
situation?
This essay is an attempt to look at African Theology in the light of the current
situation of crisis on the continent. While many may be discouraged, this paper is about
hope, a hope that lies in the Reconstruction of the continent based on Reconciliation and
Forgiveness. The first chapter describes the African situation. According to Ka Mana2 we need
to know what we have to reconstruct. He says that: "If we want to reconstruct our
continent and build the finure, we must first have a correct idea of what has been
destroyed and which is manifested in the crisis that our people and countries go through
today.113
Though the analysis may be pessimistic, this chapter ends with a tone of hope.
Hope is the source from which we draw our strength to undertake the project of rebuilding.
It is difficult to undertake any endeavour without hope as a foundation. There
has been other voices of hope, ours is only an emphasis.
The second chapter confronts the theological thinking of Africans within the
African reality. We look at the different trends in African Christian Theology and their
relevance to the African continent. While acknowledging the genius of the scholars, we
have basically concluded that this theology remains a privilege of a few and has little
impact on the lives of many Africans. African theologians have not been able to shape the
African mind so that it can be the agent of its own development. African scholars have so
much emphasised the role of the West in the destruction of Africa that they have lost a
vision for this continent. Instead of focusing on the empowerment of Africans they
exclusively focus on theological elaborations and discussions that blame the West for
Africa's misfortunes. Also they are theorists, praxis is lacking.
The third chapter studies the Theology of Reconstruction, an emerging theology that tries to merge theory and praxis. It takes into account the concerns of Inculturation
and Liberation Theologies arid at the same time claims to be a step ahead in that it focuses
not on theoretical elaboration but on the praxis orientation of African theology. From this
perspective a question arises as to the best way to reconstruct Africa.
The fourth chapter proposes reconciliation and forgiveness as the way forward for
reconstruction. This reconciliation takes place at different levels beginning with the
relationship between Africa and the West; reconciliation of Africa as a whole with itself
but also reconciliation between Africans themselves is needed so that together they may
work for the re-building of this continent. This reconciliation process is based on the
therapy of re-telling painful stories.4 It implies, on the side of the perpetrators of violence,
the recognition of the harm done to the other party, while on the side of the victim; this
requires a conscious effort of recalling the suffering. Only then can the victim forgive the
one who has wronged him or her. And together the agent of suffering and the victim will
be able to work together for the reconstruction of this continent. For there will be no
reconstruction without reconciliation and forgiveness. Are we still reluctant to tread this
path lest our efforts remain in vain? Are we afraid that future generations will judge the
Reconstruction movement as "irrelevant" just like the Inculturation and Liberation
movements?
As I prepare myself to start my ministry as a missionary in Africa, the theme of
reconstruction challenges me. It calls me to become actively involved in the
transformation of the African society. For me the Icairos is now, the opportune time to
work for the betterment of the continent is now. Also the theme of reconstruction poses a challenge to all those who are involved in African Christian Theology at the academic
level to make a difference this time. For the question remains: Are we going to produce a
theology that is relevant to Africa, or is reconstruction going to remain another paradigm
invented for the intellectual curiosity of theologians? Is Theology of Reconstruction going
to make an impact this time? Unless theology takes into consideration the plight of the
Africans at the grass roots, it will remain academic. Working for reconciliation is one way
of making theology of reconstruction practical.
Why should we embark on this work? Why bother about theology and
reconciliation? My own background prompted me to reflect on the future of this continent
and my mission as a Missionary of Africa in a continent that is very much torn by endless
conflicts. I was born of a mixed marriage between a Hutu and a Tutsi. I come from the
Great Lakes region and particularly from the Democratic Republic of Congo. In this place
there is a lot of political unrest mainly because the question of ethnic origin has been very
much politicised and many people are being rejected, despised and denied their
nationality because they belong to a particular tribe. Consequently for decades, this region
has been bathed in bloody conflicts which have claimed the lives of millions of people in
Burundi, Rwanda and Congo.
So it is a challenge to a theological institute such as Tangaza College to develop
an interest in African Christian Theology. So far such an interest in African theology is
lacicing,5 and attempts to nurture such a theology have met with dismal results. An active participation in the ministry of reconciliation will be a sign of
commitment to transform the African society. Practically, I fuld it difficult to bring the
Good News of Jesus Christ to people who are suffering either because they are the cause
of so many conflicts on this continent or because they are victims to such an extent that
they cannot forgive. On which soil is the seed of the Gospel going to land? How can a
divided people undertake the work of reconstruction? The story of Tower of Babel (Gen
11:1-9) shows that it is impossible to achieve anything if divided; hence reconciliation is
an essential element in the reconstruction of Africa.
The method used for collecting the data for this essay was primarily library
research enriched with some personal experience with the victims of war, mainly
refugees.
Description
Keywords
African Christian Theology, Reconstruction, Africa and The West, Biblical Foundations, African Theologies of Liberation