Positioning LGBTIQ as the human sexuality agenda for black theology of liberation – Reflection on Vuyani Vellem’s black theology of liberation

Graham A Duncan

doi:10.4102/hts.v76i3.6123

Abstract

Vuyani Vellem was an outstanding Black Theologian of Liberation (BTL), who was approaching the zenith of his career when he died at the age of 50 years in 2019. This paper begins with a personal memoir to Prof. Vellem and a recognition that there is a lacuna in BTL relative to human sexuality issues. The contemporary global context of the human sexuality debate is discussed before the task of BTL in Vellem’s thinking is outlined. This is followed by an examination of the situation in Africa and South Africa. Following this, the article proceeds to introduce the issue of human sexuality as a potential field of research in BTL and argues that the subject of human sexuality in the black community is a valid and appropriate topic for study and research by BTL.Contribution: This article raises pertinent issues regarding the development of a Black Theology of Liberation (BTL) which includes a proposal for the inclusion of LGBTI+ issues. It seeks to expand the understanding of the oppressed to include those who are oppressed as the result of gender issues.

Highlights

Some time before his passing, the author and his colleague, the senior minister at St Andrew’s Church, Pretoria of the UPCSA, Rev Zwai Mtyhobile, were engaged in a discussion with Vuyani Vellem on Black Theology of Liberation (BTL)
Professor Vuyani Vellem’s life, ministry and academic research as a Black Theologian of Liberation (BTL) was devoted to the empowerment of the oppressed in society. He himself did not engage with the issue of human sexuality directly, his work laid the guidelines for restoring the full humanity of all persons created in God’s image
In recent years, following the demise of legalised apartheid, many believed that BTL had run its course

Summary

Introduction

Some time before his passing, the author and his colleague, the senior minister at St Andrew’s Church, Pretoria of the UPCSA, Rev Zwai Mtyhobile, were engaged in a discussion with Vuyani Vellem on BTL. Gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning (LGBTIQ) acceptance in South Africa is to grow, he notes that religious leaders have a key role to play in challenging a ‘religiously sanctioned homophobia which maintains an “us and them” dichotomy’ (Gunda 2017) This arises out of homosexuals being cast in the role of the ‘enemy’ who is a threat to the stability of the family, the church and society at large, even in the absence of evidence to the contrary. With regard to the South African context, Kobo (2019:92) refers to a discussion with Alan Boesak on this matter in which he conceded that, ‘had BTL included women from the beginning, the liberation of black humanity would have been a success’ This is not a class, but an economic, issue in which the church is complicit: The class-transcending oppression ... Little less than God crowning his head with glory and honour You make him master over all that you have made, putting everything in subjection under his feet ... (Ps 8:5–6)

Conclusion and future prospect

Findings

Data availability statement