THE PLACE OF THEOLOGY IN CONTEMPORARY DISCOURSE AND THE PUBLIC SQUARE: AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

Theology is the study of how to speak truly of God and of all things in relation to God. But theologians can't approach the object of their study the way biologists study living creatures or geologists the earth. God cannot be empirically examined. God is the creator of all things, not to be identified with any part of the universe or even with the universe as a whole. Speaking of God thus poses unique challenges. If God had not condescended to communicate to creatures something of his light, we would be in the dark. Theologians aren't fiction writers, either: We're not making this up, Marx, Freud, and Nietzsche notwithstanding. Theologians are simply children who love their father and want to know him better, who trust their father's wisdom (Matt. 18:3), and, for that very reason, keep asking “Why?” It seems urgent for African Christians to `own' their theological reflection, rather than borrow it from others. This means taking seriously their African heritage. This requires the theological quest in the broader context of political, educational, literary, and religious factors in Africa. It is not easy to determine exactly what African Theology portends. Some theologians today contend that the task of African theologian is to provide a clear and comprehensive description of the African Christian faith. Other theologians emphasize the importance of translating faith into terms that are intelligible to the African cultures. For others, African Christian theology must be defined as thinking about important issues from the perspective of the faith of African Christians. And still others insist that theology must reflect on the praxis of Christian faith within an oppressed community. This Paper explores the role Theology can play in the African context. It argues that Theology matters and has some fundamental roles to play in the academy, the Church, and society as a whole. It concludes by affirming that theology in Africa is needed today, more than ever, especially in Church pews and circles of piety: for a wider theological vision and critical principles to keep: a) Unbridled Piety, b) Naïve Fundamentalism, and c) Misguided religious favor within proper boundaries.

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