Studies in Public Theology

Just as the world's peoples are in desperate need of hearing the gospel in their own languages, they are equally in need of experiencing Christ's ministry of reconciliation in their own contexts. In this contextualized study of conflict and reconciliation, Dr. Plaisance Rivoli M'bara examines the factors contributing to the outbreak of armed conflict in Central African Republic in 2013, as well as those impeding reconciliation in its aftermath. He explores how the indigenous ritual of the blood pact (Mbuki) could strengthen the peacebuilding process in CAR, drawing on field research and secondary sources to establish Mbuki's power as a tool for facilitating forgiveness, justice, and peace. By bringing this traditional practice into conversation with Scripture, Dr. M'bara demonstrates its potential for helping believers formulate a contextualized theology of reconciliation that would directly impact their ability to e  ectively witness to the nature of Christ and his kingdom in the aftermath of violent conflict. This is a powerful resource for theological practitioners, humanitarian aid workers, politicians, church leaders, and anyone working to restore peace in a war-torn world.

Reconciliation is never simple and straightforward; it is often tied to ideological conflict, resulting in very different understandings of what this noble Christian ideal is all about. In this important study, Dr. Demaine Solomons provides a thorough conceptual analysis of the term "reconciliation" within the context of Christian discourse in South Africa. Analysing literature from the 1960s onwards, particularly in theological reflections on social conflict within the country, the author explores the diverse interpretations of reconciliation. Drawing on the Christus Victor typology of atonement by Gustaf Aulén, this study facilitates ongoing theological reflection by offering a constructive reinterpretation of reconciliation in contemporary South Africa. By exploring creative uses of the reconciliation concept, this study contributes to a nuanced understanding of its application in Christian contexts, offering a more complete version of how South Africa's reconciliation "narrative" is understood and providing insight into how this theological concept might be understood in other social contexts.

Corruption is much more than a political problem. Striking at the moral fabric of society, corruption has ethical and theological implications that must be addressed if human beings are to be protected and human dignity safeguarded. In this study, Dr. Kefas U. Kure examines the dimensions of corruption in a Nigerian context. He explores the impact of political and religious corruption on vulnerable populations, particularly as it undermines belief in the worth and value of human lives. Drawing from African contextual theology, he demonstrates the need for an ethic of responsibility that would promote personal and collective action in combating corruption and defending human dignity. Such an ethic, he argues, would aid Christians, theologians, and church leaders in recognizing the importance of their role as promoters of justice, champions of human rights, and witnesses to the image of God in each and every human being.