The Cross of Christ, A Challenge to The Church in Zambia
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Date
2004
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
In Christianity. the cross is the test of everything that deserves to be
called Christian. One may add that the cross alone, and nothing else, is its test since the
cross refutes everything and excludes the syncretistic elements in Christianity. That is
why in the Roman Catholic Church, we have a day in the year when, for once. the high
point in the liturgy is not the Eucharist but the cross. In other words, we can say that the
liturgy is not centered on the sacrament but on the event. This day is called Good
Friday, when Mass is not celebrated and all the Catholics everywhere contemplate and
venerate the cross.
On this day and on other days. I have listened fin years to many
preachers. preaching about the cross. Each one preaches according to his experience
with the cross. I have appreciated the way they communicate the message of the cross to
the assembly. However, even if the preacher is good in communicating. at times the
message itself is not effective in the life of the people. It does not challenge the listener.
This is because the preaching does not relate the cross to the difficulties the Zambian
People are facing today, That is why in this paper I have given some pastoral
recommendations in order to make the preaching of the cross effective.
This long essay investigates the cross and the challenge it poses to the
preacher of the gospel among the Zambian people. While it is a scientific research as a
fulfillment of Tangaza college requirements, it is not a mere scientific study or reflection inspired by academic curiosity. It is intended to prepare me and those who
will read it to preach well the cross of Christ.
The locus of this paper is to help the preacher of the cross in Zambia
with some practical suggestions, which will help him in his pastoral ministry. To
achieve this goal. the essay is divided into four chapters and the general conclusion
serving as a summary of this long essay.
Chapter one is dealing with social analysis. It looks at the historical
background of Zambia after independence, its three heads of state and the social
involvement of the Church. This first chapter ends with the theological reflection which
serves as a link to chapter two.
Chapter two discusses the theology of the cross with a particular interest in
contemporary understanding of the theology of the cross. It examines the understanding
of the cross before Christ to give a kind of foundation. Then, the main locus is how
Jesus gave new meaning to the cross, the understanding of the cross by his disciples and
finally what the cross means for the Zambian people.
Chapter three deals only with the application. It attempts to develop and
give insights to the preacher of the cross in Zambia. Its focus is how we can make thc
preaching of the cross Fele\ ant in Zambia today. It addresses the Zambian experience of
the oppressive social ills of corruption. poverty and HIV/AIDS. This chapter explains
clearly that the cross is not the end. It leads us to new life through resurrection and the
privileged place in this chapter is given to 1 ('or. 15:14. The fourth and final chapter deals with the pastoral implications of the preaching
of the cross in Zambia and recommendations. In this chapter. I have given some
pastoral implications for the preachers of the cross in Zambia and some
recommendations are proposed so that the cross can be preached well in Zambia.
The general conclusion gives the summary of the whole essay with its emphasis
on the importance of the message of the cross. which is the only way to new life in the
resurrection.
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Keywords
Cross of Christ, Challenge to The Church, cross in Zambia