Confessional theology a belligerently public theology – How confessional theology relates to notions of Africanness and Reformedness

Abstract

Confessional theology a belligerently public theology -How confessional theology relates to notions of Africanness and ReformednessAbSTRAcT confessional theology, while insisting on the centrality of the Word of God in theological reflection, admits that the socio-economic, cultural and political context in which such reflection takes place is vital. In paying homage to the theological contribution of Dirkie Smit in South Africa, this article argues that this is the most opportune time to consider how marginal issues of Africa still are in theological reflection today. Taking the baton from Smit, it is argued that confessional theology, if it is to remain relevant, must deal with issues of Africanness in theological reflections today.

Spirituality of liberation: A conversation with African religiosity

“…Notions such as 'survival theology,' 'world without tears,' 'peripheral ecumenism' and 'kairos and context' are fascinating as they bring Witvlei closer to Zorgdrager's reflections in 2011. Tshaka (2011) also discusses the question of particularity in relation to confession and embodiment. We bring to the fore, as we conclude this conversation, the question of paradigm, particularly what Edgar Engelbrecht (1987) argued:…”