Political Theology as critical theology

Abstract

This article attempts to draw the scope and content of contemporary Political Theology, based on a review of the 2013 publication titled, Political Theology: Contemporary challenges and future directions, edited by Francis Schüssler Fiorenza, Klaus Tanner and Michael Welker. The book is a collection of contributions which explore the contemporary content and potential future of the subject discipline. ‘Political Theology’ as critical theology and as a ‘theology with its face towards the world’ is committed to ‘justice, peace and the integrity of creation’ and is multifaceted. It represents a discipline with which theologians reflect on political-theological objectives across continents and paradigms. The article concludes with a brief investigation of the implications of insights offered in the book for the South African context (as part of the African continent).

Church and Politics: An Assessment of the Bases and Approach of the Church’s Political Engagement in Ghana

“…38 Kim buttresses with his assertion that the church has a prophetic role in the wider society. 39 This view is also shared by Wyk 40 and Fiorenza. 41 They advance that, the teachings of the church should not only consciously address the political but also be critical of politics and society as a whole.…”

“…103 This is sometimes at risk of attacks and insults. 104 This critical role of the church is supported and advanced by Sarpong 105 , Wyk 106 , and Fiorenza. 107 Thirdly, the church argues that it has a pastoral duty toward its congregants to educate them on the consequences of politics, their responsibilities, and their privileges.…”

An Afro-Christian contextual analysis of presidential pardon in post-colonial African politics

“…It prescribes Christian active participation in political processes, with Christian ethics and principles to sanitise the processes. This world-focused theology is fundamental to Christian existential survival in an increasing pluralistic world (Van Wyk 2015;Rivera 2018Rivera , 2020.…”

Sharing On Suffering Experiences As The Secularity Of Incarnation

“…God identifies with all who suffer and die. With that action, God enters various human sufferings and deaths (Wyk, 2015). These aspects of human history are thus raised in the history of God.…”