Religion and Social Transformation

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Between literal lesions and literary tropes - a proposal for examining the discourse of healing in some African indigenous churches.
(1995) Allan, Austin James.; Nicolson, Ronald Brian.
Approaches to indigenous healing in South Africa need to be situated in the broader health care system within which that healing occurs. To facilitate a viable recognition of that indigenous healing, this paper argues that categories need to be defined which allow for the cross-cultural comparison of different forms of healing. One of these categories concerns the analytical approach which is used for explaining what happens during indigenous healing. By developing a proposal for analysing the discourse of healing in some African Indigenous Churches (AICs), what this paper purports to do is to lend recognition to the viable and important role which indigenous practitioners have in contributing to the general system of health care. This proposed model is applied to specific examples of indigenous healing drawn from the AIC healers included in the fieldwork. The conclusion reached is that healing in these churches operates within a particular discourse. As cultural constructions these discourses create important sociosomatic links between the general meaning system in which a person lives and her physiological functioning. It is in the process of rhetorical movement, observable in healing transactions and which occurs across these discourses, that the powerful endogenous healing processes are activated, and a change in the patient's condition is affected. This change is affected along the sociosomatic linkage.
Recovering south Africa's lost treasures: A spirituality of interdependence and gratitude.
(2000) Leoncienne, LaBonte' O P.; Rakoczy, Susan Francis.; Balcomb, Anthony Oswald.
Abstract available in pdf.
"Glorify your name ... "names and naming and the discourse of power in the Fourth Gospel in relationship to African names and naming practices.
(2005) Mtata, Kenneth.; Draper, Jonathan Alfred.
The recurrence of the term ovoµa, the names and labels used for the Johannine characters including Jesus, necessitated this investigation. With the hypothesis that the Fourth Gospel is produced in a conflict situation at the back of our minds, we wanted to find out how the 1st century Mediterranean nomenclature functioned in a conflict situation. To properly get into the world of conflict and names we had to employ social-scientific models and onomastic science eclectically. Mary Douglass' social body politic model was used to explain the social pressures on the Johannine community. Bryan Wilson's analysis of the sectarian movements was also appealed to, to describe the community of John. The material likely to have informed and formed the naming traditions from which the author(s) of the Fourth Gospel drew his or her material, that is the, Hellenistic, Hellenistic Jewish, Rabbinic, as well as apocryphal and pseudepigraphal writings, were also investigated. Since this thesis is located within the African (Zimbabwean) context, it was imperative to give this thesis an African tinge by teasing similarities between the Johannine and African naming practices. Through the exegesis of John 12:20-50 in the wider context of the Fourth Gospel, we found out that names are used to set boundaries of different communities. The name and label one is given, determines where he or she belongs. No names in John have neutral value. The names that are used for Jesus by his followers, however, are meant to exalt him above everyone else. He is the possessor of the glorified name. His name gives him the same status with God. While other names may show polarity of conflicting parties, his names and labels are inclusive and uniting.
The theory of self-interest in modern economic discourse: a critical study in the light of African humanism and process philosophical anthropology.
(2005) Murove, Munyaradzi Felix.; Motlhabi, Mokgethi.
Modern economic theory of self-interest alleges that in their economic relations people always behave in a way that maximises their utility. The idea whether human beings were solely self-interested has a long history as it can be seen from the writings of Greek philosophers and the Church fathers. Among Greek philosophers there were those who argued that human beings were naturally self-interested (Aristotle) and those who maintained that human beings were communal by nature (Plato, Stoics and the Pythagoreans). The later position was adopted by the Church fathers as they condemned self-interest as the sin of avarice and greed. The justification of self-interest in human and political activities was part and parcel of the economic and political early modernists, as it can be seen in the works of Mandeville, Hobbes, Hume and Adam Smith. In the writings of these thinkers, the flourishing of wealth depended on individual freedom to pursue their self-interests. In this regard, self interest became the sole source of motivation in the behaviour of homo economicus. A persistent motif in late modern economic discourse on self-interest is based on the idea that people think and act on the basis of that which is to their self-interest. It is mainly for this reason that late modern economic thinkers maintain that society would prosper when people are left alone to pursue their self-interests. Late modern economic theory of utility maximisation alleges that individuals act only after calculating costs and benefits. The argument of this thesis, based on the commonalities between African humanism and process philosophical anthropology, is that self-interest is antithetical to communal life as advocated in the ethic of Ubuntu. One who acts solely on the basis of maximising his or her utility would inevitably deprive others of a humane existence. A holistic metaphysical outlook based on the relatedness and interrelatedness of everything that exists as we find it in African humanism and process philosophical anthropology implies that the individual exists in internal relations with everything else. We should go beyond self interest by giving primacy to a holistic ethic.
The Church's relationship to the agency and the assets of people living with HIV/AIDS in rural South Africa:a case study in Marapyane community, Skilpadfontein.
(2007) Leonidas, Sabushimike.; De Gruchy, Steve M.
This thesis explores the relevance of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) as a development strategy with people living with HIV/AIDS. Contemporary development theory suggests that the assets and agency of the poor are crucial in any development process, and these ideas are important in ABCD. Many commentors have noted the relationship between HIV/AIDS and poverty and the community development is a key response to this. The question therefore is whether ABCD is still appropriate and relevant in a situation in which HIV/AIDS undermines the assets and agency of the poor.
The church and political violence in KwaZulu-Natal: an evaluation of the Natal church leaders group ecumenical response (1987-1996).
(2008) Mbona, Michael.; Denis, Philippe Marie Berthe Raoul.
Sexuality and religion in the novel Oranges are not the only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson.
(2016) Dlodlo, Nozipho Princess Sibongokuhle.; Settler, Federico Guliano.
This thesis is based on the novel Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit authored by Jeanette Winterson in 1985. The auto-fiction novel is about a young girl who is raised in a Conservative Christian background and learns that she is a lesbian. This novel is only a starting point for dialogue on homosexuality in the Church in Africa, in which I use a postcolonial approach and is not in anyway a model to be used in understanding same-sex relations in Africa. The thesis begins its dialogue on the premises of the incoherent voices of the Church in Africa on its standpoint on homosexuality. While the church continues to deliberate on its position on homosexuality LGBTIQ persons continue to be victims of hate crimes, discrimination and society continues to relate to them as mysterious and exotic. The question which is addressed is what issues on sexuality and religions are raised in the novel Oranges and how has the Church in Africa dealing with homosexuality. It is beyond the scope of my study to answer the question of which orientation is right or wrong. The main purpose of this thesis instead is seeking to facilitate a dialogue and develop positive sexual images and conceptions of expression of oneself sexually. In a way this will unburden the body from the expectations of the religious institution and the family institution. I present rising tensions between sexuality and religion in the novel and in the Church in Africa. To accomplish this I made use of books, essays, videos, newspapers, websites and articles published on sexuality, homosexuality, legislation, the Churches and their varied positions and engagements with LGBTIQ persons was read and utilized. The discussions that are on-going and past are twofold: (i) they reveal that the uneasiness around homosexuality, I argued, is rooted in the absence of positive language to talk about the body and sex in heterosexual relations that are supposedly the ‘relations’. (ii) On looking at the homosexuality conversations, I argue they are philosophical and ontological and I argued that this intentionally/unintentionally excludes a certain group of people for an example, those at the grassroots of the community. This, I argue because the hate crimes directed LGBTIQ persons suggests that there is no clear understanding amongst most people of what homosexuality entails substantially. In concluding, I argued that there is an urgent need for narratives of LGBTIQ persons to represent themselves and actively formulate their identities and theology. The agenda of nonv LGBTIQ persons writing as allies to the community are progressive and worth celebrating, however the outsider approach is limited in what they can offer in terms of daily experience and formulation on theology. I acknowledge that there is a lot of work that has been done on the theology of LGBTIQ persons, but not much has been done by LGBTIQ persons themselves. So what we have is theology about homosexuals and not with homosexuals. Lastly, it is recommended for further work that one explores if up-bringing impacts and shapes sexual orientation and to see how Christianity has maneuvered this area. Is there anything in Christian bible that prepares parents and children to understand their bodies and express themselves sexually?
Towards a People’s Theology of the road in an African Township: a case study of the Edendale Road Network within the Pietermaritzburg District.
(2017) Ngcobo, Sipho Casper.; Balcomb, Anthony Oswald.; Meyer, Wilhelm Henry.
One of the legacies of the apartheid era in South Africa is the phenomenon of black townships that exist in the outskirts of urban areas. There is very little development in these townships which means that those who live in them have to make their way to the city centers to survive and make a living. This has given rise to the public transport industry. Millions of people in South Africa use kombi taxis every day. It is no secret that when it comes to these vehicles reckless and dangerous driving is an unfortunate reality. This means that people using them take their lives into their hands every day. The trip from home to work is probably the most dangerous daily experience that ordinary people living in the townships have to face. The vulnerability and helplessness that people feel when on the road causes them to seek help through religious faith. This study focused on one particular township, Edendale, outside the city of Pietermaritzburg. I have experienced the dangers of road travel myself and have always been concerned about the death toll on the roads and interested in the kinds of beliefs, rituals, and other expressions of faith that can be found among commuters. I sought permission from the regional taxi council to undertake this research by traveling on the taxis and conversing with commuters about their faith practices while on the road. I went on numerous taxi trips and cultivated relationships with a wide range of commuters, old and young, male and female, and from a variety of religious persuasions and faiths, as well as taxi drivers themselves. My informants were adherents mainly of Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religion. They had many different beliefs, performed a variety of rituals, and used a range of biblical texts if they were Christian. While the majority of them were Christian, most of them Christian or otherwise, reverted to their ancestral religion when it came to invoking help from the supernatural realm. This caused me to investigate further the basic features of a primal worldview and how these found expression in the beliefs, rituals, and other faith practices of my informants. This thesis documents my investigation into the environment of religious faith created by road travel in general and on the road from Edendale into Pietermaritzburg in particular. It outlines the rationale, methodology, and findings of my research, and attempts to theologically reflect on them. It is a “people’s” theology because it expresses the beliefs of ordinary people of Edendale, not the religious professionals of Edendale, and it is a theology of the road because it is done on the roads of Edendale.
Human dignity in African communitarianism.
(2018) Makwinja, Simon Matthias.; Matolino, Bernard.
This study examines the extent to which African communitarian thought succeeds in the promotion of human dignity without having to call upon human rights. As well as being considered as a central value within social and political philosophy, human dignity is also critical to policy formulations within spheres is has tremendous influence such as bioethics, medicine, politics, and law. Generally, the promotion of human dignity has been conceived from the liberal point of view, and specifically through human rights and their institutions. Ontologically, liberalism prioritises the individual and her rights over her community. Respect for one’s dignity is in this regard synonymous with respect for individual rights. This conception excludes the non-liberal thought systems which are regarded as inimical to the human dignity project on the basis that they do not prioritise individual rights and freedoms. On this basis, the non-liberal thought systems have been perceived as anachronistic and authoritarian, and therefore considered as dissing human dignity. However, since human dignity is generally regarded as a concept more fundamental than human rights, it cannot be reduced to a single value system at the exclusion of others. Thus, through human rights, liberalism presents a particular vision of individual-community relationships in which the individual is primary. Subsequently, this relationship points to a particular way of understanding human dignity. As different societies live by different value systems, there exist corresponding ways through which such societies express and enhance human dignity. It is in this regard that the study attempts to demonstrate the extent to which African communitarianism, one of the non-liberal intellectual traditions and considered as a dominant conceptual theme in African thought, is capable of securing human dignity. Specifically, the study examines certain values that are central to the African communitarian thought system for their consistency with the dignity of human persons in its broader sense. Within African communitarianism, the individual-community relationship prioritises the reality of the community over and above that of the individual. This can be seen by emphasis laid on such values as interdependence, consensus and the common good. Normatively, they all point to the centrality of the community and one’s duty towards its flourishing. Thus, the sort of dignity that can be derived from the African communitarian thought goes beyond the bounds of individual persons exercising their freedom as emphasised within the liberal tradition. Dignity in this regard concerns the flourishing of persons not as individuals, but as members of the community. Thus, contrary to the criticism by proponents of the liberal value systems, the non-liberal thought systems can be shown to be capable of securing human dignity to the extent that dignity is conceived from a holistic point of view. Since the basic aim of every community is to serve people who are its members, respect to community and its values is an indication of respect for human dignity. In this way, the African communitarian thought offers a competitive alternative to the liberal conception of human dignity. In this regard it would be wrong to make judgements about the African communitarian thought system by employing a conception of dignity that is inconsistent with the African value systems themselves.
Pastoral ministry to persons with disabilities: a critical investigation of how the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) church can be a safe space for meeting the needs of persons with disabilities (PWD) in Harare, Zimbabwe.
(2018) Sande, Nomatter.; Masondo, Sibusiso Theophilus.; Okyere-Manu, Beatrice Dedaa.
The subject on disability is complex, especially when addressed from a theological perspective, bearing in mind that Judeo-Christian teachings have the dehumanisations of Persons with Disabilities (PWD). The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) is a Pentecostal church in Zimbabwe. As such, the pastoral ministry and theology in the AFM emphasises divine healings, miracles, signs and wonders for believers. Thus, the space of PWD and how PWD either connect or benefit from this Pentecostal heritage is critical to this study. Accordingly, this study is aimed at investigating the role of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in addressing the needs of PWD. The first objectives of this study was to examine the lived experiences of PWD in Harare, Zimbabwe. The second objective was to explore the engagement of the AFM church with PWD. The third objective was to establish an appropriate theological response to PWD in the AFM. The study uses the models of disability as its theoretical framework to both interpret the findings of the study and inform the analysis of data and place the study into perspective. Consequently, this study employed the qualitative research methodology and the data was collected through in-depth interviews, focus groups and participant observations. The sample group were three pastors and chaplains, and twenty one PWD. This study, examines the AFM responses to disability from an empirical perspective. The results revealed emerging themes such as accommodation, employment, abuse, education, stigmatisation, mobility challenges and the expectations of PWD from the Church. As such, this study advances deconstruction and reconstruction of an appropriate theological response to meet the needs of PWD. In conclusion, the study was not undertaken to merely expose the needs of the PWD who are members of the AFM by exploring their lived experiences, but also to develop an appropriate theological response that the AFM could adopt. The thesis will argue that the stewardship theology of disability offers a fresh theological approach to influence and impact on the lives of PWD. The study urges the AFM to show compassion and recognition towards PWD as well as treating them with dignity.
The Black Apostles shaped the black political history of South Africa.
(2019) Ngqulwana, Buyisile Sydwell.; Moyo, Herbert.
The rationale of this thesis is premised on the view that the Black Apostles shaped the Black political history of South Africa. It reacts to the unmentioned of their Exile Human Resource Contribution (EHRC) and Exile Financial Contribution (EFC) in Exile Military Training (EMT) of Azanian Peoples Liberation Army (APLA) and Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK). The ground-breaking of this research is the discovery of the Archival Research Methodology (ARM) to mine and uncover the substantial data from Nabatu Archives to supplement the EFC and EHRC of the Black Apostles in supporting the EMT of the military wings of the African national Congress (ANC) and Pan African Congress (PAC). The main objective of this thesis is to discover the significance of Jim Scotch Ndlovu in the history of Old Apostolic Church (OAC), Twelve Apostles of Africa (TACA) and The Twelve Apostles Church in Christ (TTACC), and in the political context of South Africa between 1960 and 1982. The ARM assists the research to study behind, into and ahead of the diary of Ndlovu, and comprehends the EFC and EHRC of his successor in completing his mission of overthrowing the Protestant Apartheid Christian State (PACS) from 1982 till 1994. The thesis espouses the fall and rise theory to explain the completion of the mission of the Black Apostles and Hlathilist in shaping the Black political history of South Africa from 1948-1994. The above mentioned theory outlines the rise and fall of hlathiletism, colonialism, post colonialism, apartheid and the rise of democracy in 1994. The financial contribution of the Black Apostles to the liberation of South Africa from the PACS is estimated to the amount of R1 511 150.00. The founding and the current State Presidents of the Democratic Government of South Africa were elected from the ANC. Therefore, the Black Apostles shaped the Black political history of South Africa.
Church-state relationship and elections: post 2016 election violence in Zambia.
(2019) Bwalya, Mulenga Felix.; Siwila, Cheelo Lillian.
This study sought to determine the role that the Church played in the post 2016 election violence in Zambia. It utilized Bonheoffer’s perception of Church-State relations as a conceptual framework which underpinned the study. The methodology employed was based on non-empirical evidence and document analysis. Tools used to analyze documents were ecumenical statements and other press release by Church leaders in response to post 2016 election events. The argument of this study is that although the Church’s intervention does not always lead to a reconciliatory outcome, it has been almost universally trusted to bring peace and reconciliation. However, the Church, in this case, contributed to political failure, was complacent and lacked timing to build a trustworthy public relationship. The study argues that the ambiguous role that the Church played in promoting reconciliation post 2016 election violence was as a result of an improper relationship between the State and the Church. The term ‘improper relationship,’ in this study refers to non-reciprocal relationship which advantaged the State alone. The study also noted that political leaders have seductive power that can easily jeopardize the fundamental principles of the Church and its prophetic mission.
"Puberty rites as cultural responses to the prevention of HIV in Zimbabwe: the case of Varemba circumcision and initiation rites in the Mwenezi district.
(2019) Matumbu, Onias.; Masondo, Sibusiso Theophilus.
The HIV and AIDS pandemic is ubiquitous and indiscriminate in its global onslaught and has caused untold suffering worldwide; the youth in particular are of great concern here. Research on HIV and AIDS has most often focused on heightening social awareness and the use of contraceptives, rather than addressing critical issues regarding this scourge. Research on the role of traditional institutions in socialising young people and improving their awareness of sexual health in the context of HIV and AIDS is currently minimal. Researchers have a tendency of focusing on the biological causes and effects of the pandemic, thus circumventing critical aspects such as the need for behavioural change. The purpose of this study was to determine how cultural traditions under the guise of initiation rites could constitute a body of relevant pedagogy required by young people at the onset of puberty, to develop positive behaviours and attitudes that will render them less vulnerable to HIV and AIDS. The goal of this study was also to establish how the circumcision and initiation ritual as a cultural resource could contribute to strategies aimed at the prevention of HIV and AIDS. Using the phenomenology of religion and social scientific methods, this study focused on the circumcision and initiation rituals of the Varemba people in Mwenezi district of Zimbabwe. In-depth interviews and observation were used to collect data. The participants who were from the Varemba ethnic group, therefore provided rich data. The participants were selected through non-probability purposive sampling and non-probability convenience sampling. Since the topic of this study was sensitive, the research depended on the availability and willingness of the participants to provide information. The findings revealed that lessons learnt by the initiates during the initiation rituals directly or indirectly constituted a relevant traditional pedagogy that has the potential to change the sexual behaviours of the individuals in the prevention of HIV and AIDS. Initiation rituals have the capacity to bring about moral and social transformation in the society by guiding the youth through the important stages of life and providing moral lessons on sex and sexuality. The study concluded that initiation rituals have the potential to contribute to intervention strategies to curb HIV and AIDS through the fostering of behavioural change in the youth. This study recommended that despite the differences between ritual strategies and the medical approach to the prevention of HIV and AIDS, a holistic approach should be adopted where the various strategies and approaches are encouraged to form a symbiotic relationship in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Imago Dei and faith-healing practices in the Newer Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches (NPCCs) in South Africa: a human dignity perspective.
(2019) Maphumulo, Nkanyiso Kingdom.; Siwila, Cheelo Lillian.
Faith-healing practices in the third wave movement of Pentecostals, the Newer Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches, hereafter referred to as the NPCCs, have been in the public domain recently. These unorthodox faith-healing practices depicted, among others, pastors making congregants eat grass, snakes, drink petrol; pastors were shown jumping on prostrated bodies of the congregants, and spraying them with doom (house-hold insecticide). These faith-healing practices have raised issues for concern of human dignity in the church. Consequently, the government intervened by establishing a commission of inquiry into the commercialisation of religion and abuse of belief systems (2017), to investigate and make submissions to parliament about how to regulate religion in South Africa. During the proceedings of this Commission of inquiry, theologies underpinning faith-healing practices were unearthed; namely, health and wealth gospel, NPCCs’ Pneumatology and Hermeneutic principles, and ‘exclusive’ name-and-claim-it gospel. Using the human dignity perspective, this study investigates these theologies through the theoretical framework of Christian anthropology, namely the royal functional model of imago Dei. The study demonstrates that underpinning faith-healing practices in the NPCCs are theologies that have undergone a paradigm shift from the principles of the ‘first’ wave of Pentecostalism, the classical Pentecostals, to the degradation of the dignity of its adherers. I, therefore, argue that imago Dei has practical ethical implications that can be used to scrutinize Church practices in general and faith-healing practices in the NPCCs in particular. Keywords: Faith-healing, Imago Dei, Newer Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches, human dignity.
The end justifies the means: examining the Nigerian society in the light of Machiavellianism.
(2019) Onwunyi, Edozie Chukwujindu.; Matisonn, Heidi Leigh.
From the sentiments espoused by Machiavelli in The Prince, it is is clear that he believed that politics and conventional morality cannot go together. For him, acquiring power and retaining power is the objective of politics, and should as such be the uppermost or ultimate concern of anyone engaging in politics. Being that since Nigeria gained its political independence in 1960, Nigerian politicians have consciously and overtly pursued the business of politics as if the primary goal of politics is the acquisition and sustenance of power by any necessary means, many scholars and observers of the Nigerian society have described the Nigerian political scene as a classic case of Machiavelli’s political philosophy as articulated in The Prince. This thesis then focuses on the proposition that the Nigerian political scene presents a classic case of Machiavelli’s political philosophy as articulated in The Prince. The choice of this area of research is informed by the need to provide a co-ordinated response to the myriad of challenges confronting Nigeria as a nation, as many believe that the seeming playing of politics in the Machiavellian way by Nigerian political elites is partly responsible for the socio-political and economic problems in the country. Consequently, the underlying argument of this thesis is that Nigerian politics can be seen to be characterized by the guiding principle “the end justifies the means” articulated by Machiavelli in The Prince. Key to the argument is the examination of the Nigerian political scene, Machiavelli’s ideas in The Prince, the Italian society of his time, the circumstances surrounding his writing of The Prince, as well as the various interpretations of the book. Notwithstanding that Machiavelli and the ideas he expressed in The Prince are interpreted in various ways by various scholars, it is generally believed that the ideas cannot be isolated from the political situation of his city-state, Florence, and Italy back then. Though Florence or Italy of Machiavelli’s era is quite different in culture and civilization from contemporary Nigeria, findings from the thesis indicate that the two political situations are similar in terms of human nature, lack of national cohesion, and application of violence and cruelty in socio-political activities. Also, many Nigerian politicians and even citizens at large consciously or unconsciously practicalize Machiavelli’s views in The Prince and there exists some form of connection between practising such In response to the findings, the thesis concludes with some practical suggestions on how Nigeria may get over its political problems, which among others include the need for change of structure of the Nigerian federation and mentality on the part of all Nigerian citizens.
The Catholic Church and governance: an exploration of the relevance of the Ohacracy indigenous model of participatory governance in Igboland of South-Eastern Nigeria.
(2019) Anyanele, Chikadi John.; Kumalo, Simangaliso Raymond.; Owino, Kennedy Onyango.
More than half a century ago, the Vatican II ecumenical Council took place to redefine the influence of the Roman Catholic Church in the modern world. Ecumenical as the Council is known; the Vatican II theology re-established the Church anew as to be relevant in the contemporary world, thereby opening doors for lay participation in the Catholic Church governance. Despite the Council and its leaning towards lay participation in the universal Catholic Church, the Catholic communities in the Igbo Ohacracy of the South-eastern Nigeria and the larger Nigerian communities continue to battle towards the determination and realization of the roles or duties of the laity. A Church identified to be communal, consultative; and collegial in its ecclesiological understanding applies the image of a Family of God’s People envisions a participatory Church which the Vatican II had proposed. This is yet to be fully achieved especially among the Igbo Ohacracy people. This study is located between two opposing ideologies of governance: It therefore investigates the centralized system of governance of the Roman Catholic Church and the decentralized Igbo Ohacracy order. The study also analyses the collective lay participation in the common governance of the Catholic Church as recommended by Vatican II council. It also examines authority, the laity, participation of women and inculturation to interrogate governance in both the Catholic Church and Igbo Ohacracy systems of governance. Indeed, this study reveals that in order for the Catholic Church tradition to continue to make sense and meaning, the values of dialogue, listening and consensus decision making should guide its style of governance in dealing with the Igbo Ohacracy people of South-eastern Nigeria. The Igbo Ohacracy form of indigenous governance is the inspiration behind the study. The study focuses on the Roman Catholic Church among the Owerri-Okigwe Igbo of Southeastern Nigerian communities. As a theological project, this study is located within the field of ecclesiology under the discipline of Practical Theology. Church as home for millions of Roman Catholic adherents around the world can no longer remain isolated and less concerned in matters related to governance which the Church in general has inspired all around the world; not just among the Igbo Ohacracy people of South-eastern Nigeria. Each day, human beings experience governance in various ways as it affects them; whether in the family, the community, place of work, in the Church or society at large. This study has applied both “Large Ears” and “Inculturation” theoretical frameworks. The former refers to the ‘Manja Metaphor’ used in the Central African Republic. It signifies the eldest brother as the one who has developed the greatest capacity for ‘listening’ to the will of the ancestors and to the conversations going on in the family community Uzukwu (1996:143). As a major theory for this study, it represents dialogue, consensus and communal participation in the common ownership of community activities and decision making. The latter, inculturation remains a term used to signify the movement which takes local cultures and their values as basic instruments and powerful means for presenting, reformulating and living; Christianity Waliggo, (1991:506). It describes the contextual or cultural application in understanding and practising the Christian values. This study investigates how both the centralized model of the Roman Catholic Church governance and the decentralized Igbo Ohacracy indigenous orders affect the Igbo people who are caught up in between these two influential systems. It is therefore meaningful to note that this study shows the Vatican II Council’s recommendation and opens doors for lay participation in the governance of the Catholic Church. The Igbo Catholic communities are yet to realize this vision fully for its Catholic adherents. Surprisingly though, through the Ohacracy institutions as analysed, this study has demonstrated a high level of individual and group participation among the Igbo governance order. From all indications of the analysis of both the centralized Catholic Church and the decentralized Igbo Ohacracy orders, it reveals that though these two systems are directly opposed to each other, the receptive nature of the Igbo culture has rather encouraged coexistence of the two. Moreover, the aggressive, dynamic and vibrant developmental pursuit nature of the Catholic Church (for example, Western education and medicine) has also propelled the Igbo Ohacracy communities’ receptivity of the ways and activities of the Roman Catholic Church among them. Finally, the study concludes that true and meaningful co-existence is highly probable between two traditions. With the aid and application of listening, dialogue and consensus in decision making (“Large Ear Theory”) between these two systems, peaceful co-existence and progress/development will continue to be achieved. The respect of both traditions among the Igbo communities through the utilization of the values of inculturation in the Catholic Church as fully described in this study will go further to propagate the realization of value and cultural insights that have emerged in this study.
The role of Micah's rhetorical language and Mwaghavul sayings on congregants' response to sermons in central Nigeria.
(2019) Goholshak, Hezekiah Hakuri.; Efthimiadis Keith, Helen.
This study focuses on an examination of the role that the biblical rhetoric of the book of Micah and Mwaghavul cultural sayings (sumpoo) play in enabling Mwaghavul congregants in central Nigeria to better understand, respond to and recall sermons preached. In view of the above, this research argues that a preacher‘s appropriate synergistic use of the biblical rhetoric and African indigenous wisdom, makes it possible for congregants to more readily respond to and recall sermons. The Mwaghavul people of the Plateau State in central Nigeria, use many wise sayings from the sacred text and cultural memory, as a means to authenticate their traditional mode of communication. Similarly, the researcher noted that the prophet Micah‘s skillful articulation of the indigenous rhetorical devices of the eighth-century BC context equally accorded the prophecy a great response by his immediate audience; and, as a collective memory, was recalled a century later (cf. Jer. 26:18-19). The researcher was motivated to undertake a contextual hermeneutical study of this book, with the view to craft better ways of engaging both the rhetorical elements of the book of Micah and comparable Mwaghavul sayings, ultimately to increase the gospel‘s impact on the people. In order to achieve the above, the research uses three lenses: contextual hermeneutics, using the tripolar model; inculturation; and reception theories. A socio-rhetorical interpretation of the Bible and the African proverbial hermeneutics are used to craft African contextual hermeneutics in the postcolonial period, that values the African knowledge system‘s contribution to understanding and owning the Christian message. A rhetorical and literary analysis of the Book of Micah is done. Attention is also given to African uses of wise sayings as rhetorical devices in secular and religious settings. These circles of rhetoric make contributions to sermon rhetoric in Africa – the rhetoric of the text and that of African wisdom constitute the sermon rhetoric. Undertaking a comparative study of the responses of twenty-four congregants, from two geographic clusters, "A" and "B", to the sermons through qualitative interviews, it was discovered that the congregants from cluster "B", the experimental cluster where the preachers used wise sayings, recalled and responded better to the message preached, showing evidence of transformation. This shows that sermons anchored in familiar language forms and the congregants‘ cultural roots brings about better understanding, recall and response to the sermons preached. This calls for a change in the curriculum of pastor training institutions like Gindiri Theological Seminary to award privilege to the pedagogy of context and to not neglect the pedagogy of formation for obtaining far reaching significance.
Women's education and sexual reproductive health rights: a case of African apostolic indigineous churches of Tanwena area Nyanga, Zimbabwe.
(2019) Tsara, Lindah; Siwila, Lilian Cheelo.
This study uses a post-colonial feminist theory and African cultural feminist hermeneutics to investigate whether the teachings of the African Apostolic Indigenous Churches of Tangwena area have any influence on the girl child’s limited education and her sexual and reproductive health rights. This study was a qualitative empirical research where data was generated from both fieldwork and secondary sources. The study found out that the teachings of AAICs covered in this study though not stated precisely on the ground, have a role to play in the limited education and poor sexual and reproductive health rights of most of the girls who drop out from school and get married young in Tangwena area. Tendencies such as the teaching of a girl child to preserve her virginity before she gets married and how to be a good mother as taught in these churches prepared the girl child only to be destined for marriage. This made some of the girls powerless and end up lacking power over their sexual and reproductive rights. This study also found out that although AAICs teachings have a role to play in most of the girls’ limited education; there were other factors that have nothing to do with the church teachings that were also responsible for the girl child’s limited education in Tangwena area. These factors include lack of exposure to social and economic activities, failing of the major grade Seven and form Four National Examination which screens who is proceeding with education and who is left behind, and parental influence. This study concludes that it only requires social commitment of all the stakeholders of AAICs indicated in the study to uplift the girl child’s education in their teachings as a form of empowerment, and the only way that will delay girls from getting married so young and desist from getting married to people who are older to them, who will force them to be voiceless in the marriage as far as far as reproductive health rights are concerned.
The church of Christ in Congo and sustainable peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo Kivu provinces 1996-2016.
(2019) Biruli, Assan.; Siwila, Lilian Cheelo.; Settler, Federico Guliano.
The objective of this thesis was to determine how the Church of Christ in Congo (CCC) is able to become a resource in re-building sustainable peace in the Kivu provinces using non-violent methods. The study rests on the idea that the CCC as a key stakeholder in the processes of all-inclusive peacebuilding in the regions. This qualitative study relied on existing literature to explore ways in which the Church of Christ in Congo has contributed to maintaining peace in the Kivu provinces of the DRC. Therefore, the key research question for this thesis was: How can the church of Christ in Congo, contribute to addressing the perpetuating conflict in DRC in its quest for sustainable peace in the Kivu provinces? While most researchers consider the Peace and Reconciliation programme to be aimed at the deportation of non-Congolese immigrants back into their respective countries of origins; and the bringing together of conflicting parties for dialogue as key elements for peacebuilding in the religion, this study specifically examines the role of the Churches in shaping sustainable peace in war-torn provinces of the DRC. The study examines the Church of Christ in Congo (CCC) also known in French as “Église du Christ au Congo (ECC)”, in its efforts to support the Peace and Reconciliation programme, through the use of its member churches across the country. This study, takes as a hypothesis, that peacebuilding successful in troubled areas depends on engaging existing local structures effectively, such as the Church networks – due to their being closer to the grassroots and this makes them influential. Through the use of conflict transformation theory, the study will attempt to show that the CCC has contributed to settlement efforts using practical means and non-violent approaches. The nature of the research required that a mixed method is employed; hence I combined phenomenological, autobiographical and explanatory methods. This allowed me to combine popular narratives shared among the displaced people of Kivu, with media and scholarly accounts to weave together narratives and stories as suggested by Mishler (1995). The initial methodological ambition was to draw on accounts of those church leaders and members who survived the conflicts because there are no official accounts of the church’s involvement in peacebuilding. Due to ongoing conflict in the region and because my own resources to travel to the region was limited, I relied on written materials provided in from churches in the region. These arrived in fragments, provided by my own contacts as well as by members of the diaspora and it informed my explanatory methodology. For the rest, I relied on variously published accounts as well as irregular reports from humanitarian agencies and member churches to construct a social history of the church’s role in building sustainable peace The research further argued that when addressing peacebuilding and reconciliation it is important to take into account the role that civil society is able to play in this kind of activity. The study sought engagement with influential civil society as well as grassroots level activists produces constructive results. The study similarly drew on the theory of conflict transformation for non-violent approaches for the transformation of violence into cultures of peace. The study examines the efforts of the Church of Christ in Congo in their various attempts to promote sustainable peace, through religious mediation, forgiveness, and reconciliation. This I believe will bring about sustainable peace in the Kivu Provinces. Peacebuilding is a central church activity that is concerned with the well-being of the entire community. The outcome of this study discloses that by drawing on the views of scholars, civil society activists, religious leaders as well as members of the diaspora, on the matter of Kivu conflict and sustainable peace is possible. Engaging all these stakeholders in the DRC, including the Church of Christ in Congo can possibly achieve its aspiration of de-escalation of the war, stop the of militias into the region and reconstruct flourishing communities. The study hence argued that an end to the war in the Kivu Provinces may be one approach of promoting sustainable peace and opening the economic interests of the investors. Lastly, a paradigm shift is needed in the conceptualization of what constitutes conflict transformation, more so peacebuilding interventions. This includes new theoretical thinking based on gaining vital views, insights, and perspectives from non-state actors such as the Church of Christ in Congo. The study found that where faith communities participate in peacebuilding efforts, whether only the Church of Christ in Congo or including other churches and organizations in the region, chances for social and political transformation in respect of peacebuilding in the Kivu Provinces in significantly increased.
A feminist critique of ecumenical bodies’ silence to the sexual abuse of the women with mental disability in Zambia.
(2019) Mulalami, Charity Chali.; Siwila, Lillian Cheelo.
The study analyses how the three ecumenical bodies (the church mother bodies) – the Council of Churches in Zambia, the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia and the Zambia Council of Catholic Bishops – respond to the sexual abuse of women with mental disability or illness through sexual and gender-based violence activism. In the Zambian context like elsewhere, ecumenical bodies and gender activists have been active in addressing all forms of gender-based violence, as part of their response to social justice. However, there seems to be little or no attention paid to women with mental disability who are equally victims of sexual abuse. This study aims to reflect theologically on the silence of the ecumenical bodies to the sexual abuse of women with mental disability in Zambia using feminist lenses to analyse the study. The study is framed within the social constructionist and feminist disability theory theoretical frameworks. The study is qualitative, non-empirical, and literature-based. The findings of this study show that although the ecumenical bodies are involved in social justice/gender-based violence activism, in all their joint statements, there is no mention of advocacy for women with mental disability who are also victims of sexual abuse. The study also observed that there are robust religious and cultural beliefs and attitudes towards disability in general which have led to the dehumanising, devaluing, discrimination, rejection, stigmatisation, and marginalisation of persons with disabilities. For instance, the social construction of “ishilu”1 in society removes the human dignity of a person – implying that they no longer are the image of God, since the image of God seems to be associated with the normal people in society. The study thus recommends the theory of change in the operations of the three ecumenical bodies concerning their approach to their fight for justice for all humanity.

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