Abstract
The 2014 conference theme of the society for Practical Theology in South Africa was ‘Practical Theology in Africa and human waste’. The article asks the question whether we can do theology in Africa in such a way that the kingdom of God is realised, notwithstanding the feeling that the seed that is sown is often wasted. The growth of Christianity and southern shift of the majority of Christians to amongst others Africa, is described, discussed and questioned: Is this seed falling on fertile ground or is it wasted if one considers all the calamities of the African continent? Taking its cues from the parable of the sower the epistemological revolution and paradigm shift are outlined stating that unless doing theology within a new paradigm the kingdom of God cannot be served. It calls for new paradigm labourers who are trained to be on the marketplace, who reach out to where people are suffering and struggling and serve their needs thus following the example set by Christ in training his disciples.
Highlights
Le Roux’s (2012:49–60) Tearfund research in Burundi, Liberia, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo focuses on the role of the church in dealing with sexual violence (SV) against women and children in areas affected by armed conflict
It is important to recap some of the story of theology in order to understand something about the reason why the church and its theological schools may be in a different paradigm
John helps us to find our vocation in the new paradigm of doing theology when he explains how the Word functioned: John 1: 14And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth ... 17The Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ
Summary
Affiliation: 1Department of Practical Theology and Missiology, Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. The article addresses the theme of the conference: Practical theology and human waste in Africa. The 2014 conference theme of the society for Practical Theology in South Africa was ‘Practical Theology in Africa and human waste’. Taking its cues from the parable of the sower the epistemological revolution and paradigm shift are outlined stating that unless doing theology within a new paradigm the kingdom of God cannot be served. It calls for new paradigm labourers who are trained to be on the marketplace, who reach out to where people are suffering and struggling and serve their needs following the example set by Christ in training his disciples
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