Defending Innovative Theologies

Abstract

Colonialism never was intended to be a short-term project, and it laid a foundation that projected itself 200 years into the future – stifling the voices, ideas, dreams and ambitions of all it touched. The church, particularly in ‘post colonies’ in the Global South, wrestles with coloniality, where such impositions influence racial, gender and class divisions, where female church groups, lay and clergy women, still struggle in reclaiming their identity, and issues of patriarchy and endemic poverty. This struggle for transformation is unfortunately waged in silence, with ways to “break down walls that divide us”. It is in this context of struggle that innovative Christian theologies can be elevated by women with the intention of transforming all of society. In order to develop a suitable theological interpretation of innovative theologies, that is capable of neutralising the insidious impacts of coloniality and its historical embedded impediments, requires that our journey of re-discovery explore very intensely our African indigenous heritage in order to find answers that free the soul from systemic oppression. New methods of using unexplored epistemologies should be investigated for their contributory value. Creating an ontology, new innovative theologies that can transform existing beliefs in order to advance, transform and contribute in a manner in which readers and hearers interpret the Bible, enhancing the embracement of their African identity requires a collective input.