Bachelor of Arts in Theology

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Browsing Bachelor of Arts in Theology by Subject "Africa and The West"

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    African Christian Theology of Reconstruction
    (Tangaza University College, 2001-02) Maganya, Halerimana
    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.