BLACK CHURCH

Black Church And Whether It Was A Force For Conservatism Of Liberation

Table of Contents

Table of Contents2

CHAPTER I:3

Introduction3

Background to the Problem3

The Research Problem4

Purpose5

CHPATER II6

Review of Related Literature6

CHAPTER III14

Research Methods14

Research approach14

Research Instrument14

Literature Selection Criteria15

Search Technique15

CHPATER II:17

Review of Related Literature17

CHAPTER I:

Introduction

This chapter introduces the purpose of the dissertation. It spells out the background to the problem that is investigated, the assumptions held on the symbol of liberation and its place in public life. It presents the methodological approach adopted in the work followed by the scope and content of the dissertation. The broad view assumed in the dissertation is that liberation is a root paradigm or organizing symbol that galvanizes the norms and principles of Black Theology of liberation. Within the context of constitutional democracy in South Africa, Black Theology can offer different epistemological tools, which can be employed to engage the new situation that has arisen. The extent to which blacks as interlocutors of Black Theology have been liberated, the dissertation seeks to show, does not justify the eclipse or occlusion of liberation and thus its detachment from the black interlocutor. By taking stock of "gains or losses" of the tradition of Black Theology, the broad intensions of the school are introduced. This assignment is carried out within the background of the ambivalent nature of our new democracy redolent with new symbols such as "miracle," "rainbow people," "truth and reconciliation," Bafanabafana , Mabhokbhoko and so forth. The work embraces a less-embittered tone to establish liberating currents from an African subaltern culture.

Background to the Problem

In South Africa, the governing symbol of "liberation" or the root metaphor of "liberation" and its link with black liberation and thus with the school of Black Theology, requires to be examined in the light of the advent of democracy after centuries of colonialism and apartheid rule. From the outset, we need to clarify that symbols 1 can be used at various levels, namely, as heuristic devices, models i.e. layouts of thoughts, or visions and paradigms. In our view, liberation symbolizes that location of thoughts, emotions and actions associated with the struggle waged in various ways against oppression in South Africa. We can further elucidate this assertion by saying that liberation symbolizes the culture of the struggle against oppression, culture signifying the art, spirituality, work, faith, people, land and God in the struggle against oppression. Thus in this work, liberation is viewed as a root metaphor or governing symbol giving rise to norms and principles of the black theologizing project. Our examination of the use of the symbol of liberation and its pertinence to public life will be shaped by the tradition of Black Theology of liberation. Our aim will be to establish how Black Theology of liberation with its root metaphor of liberation could navigate from the arena of the struggle waged with clear demarcations into a changed, complex arena brought about by the advent of democracy in South Africa.

The Research Problem

Our problem centers on the use of the governing symbol of liberation in ...