A critical assessment of Church and political engagement in Zimbabwe under the new dispensation

Abstract

Since the reign of the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Zimbabwe has been seized by retrogressive puppetisation of partisan gospel ministers and churches, worsened by state victimisation of those who stand against political ills. Church and state relations were compromised and fear gripped most citizens. At his inauguration, the incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa pledged a ‘new dispensation’ but contrarily remained similar to the preceding regime. Today, Church and state relations remain compromised as leaders appear accommodative when supported and vindictive when critiqued. The prevailing situation divided the Church, leaving some pastors dining with oppressive leaders whilst others side with the oppressed, culminating in disturbing polarisation. Ruling politicians captured some gospel ministers to sanitise the ‘new dispensation’ and vilify its critics. Although multiple researches have been carried out on Church and politics in Zimbabwe, the lack of clarity on how churches should engage with the state remains an ongoing challenge. Using a literature-based approach, this article evaluates ecclesial engagement with national politics in view of the Old Testament’s fearless prophetic involvement in politics and the New Testament’s understanding of the Church as the salt and the light of the world (Mt 5:13–16). Results of this assessment are that Church engagements with politics have been defined by economic volatility, polarisation, corruptibility, hermeneutical weaknesses and theological differences. The article concludes that the Church should contextually apply the Old Testament’s prophetic stance and the New Testament’s ‘salt and light’ engagement in Zimbabwe.Interdisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: Assessing Church and political engagement in Zimbabwe under the new dispensation in light of the Old Testament’s prophetic involvement in politics and the New Testament’s conceptualisation of the Church as salt and light (Mt 5:13–16) is a contextually critical contribution that interfaces ecclesiology with Christian, biblical, public and political theologies.

(Mis)leading by the spirit: Transforming African spiritualities and political leadership

“…As a result, their doctrines and practices exert both direct and indirect influence on the landscape of secular national leadership across all African nations. This phenomenon has been noted by various scholars, such as by Steenkamp (2020:1) in South Africa, Manyonganise (2022), Magezi and Tagwirei (2022) in Zimbabwe, as well as Gibbs and Ajulu (1999) in the regions of Southern and Eastern Africa. This also resonates with Ellis and Ter Harr's (1997) assertion that:…”

The role of the church in the public space in Zimbabwe (2017–2023): Lessons drawn from Johannine Jesus in John 21:15–18

“…In their own right, they were good shepherds to the flock of their time. Magezi and Tagwirei (2022) and Chitando (2011:46) rightly observe that the church in Zimbabwe has been hit by factionalism, which is purported to be masterminded by government divisions by deliberately upholding the partisan and denigrating independent members, in order to divide, weaken and silence the church and keep a continued grip on power. It is evident that eisegesis of biblical texts such as Romans 13:1-7 has contributed immensely to the docile nature and passiveness of the Church in issues that involve politics.…”

“…On the other hand, there is a clique that include Jehovah's Witness and Seventh Day Adventists that believes that the church must totally focus on salvific missionary work and not get involved in secular politics. As if such a dilemma is not challenging enough, poverty and corruptibility have dogged the church and weakened her capacity to engage in politics effectively (Magezi & Tagwirei 2022).…”

“…Some of them are allegedly beneficiaries of the land reform programme and other economic benefits. Magezi and Tagwirei (2022) While Niringiye (2020) finds the question of responsible Christian political engagement problematic, as Africa has been a playhouse of violence, intolerance and victimisation of dissenting voices since the colonial era, Jesus Christ challenges believers to 'let their light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven' (Mt 5:16). The church is consequently expected to be exemplary in everything and should contribute towards curbing the injustice, oppression, exclusion, gross inequalities and corruption that are bedevilling Zimbabwe.…”

“…Magezi and Tagwirei (2022) contend that the nature of church and political engagement in Zimbabwe has forced countless pastors and congregants into conformity. Most Christian leaders have opted to go into a mute mode or hiding in matters to do with politics.…”