Renewal, Renaissance, Reformation, or Revolution? Guiding concepts for social transformation in South Africa in the light of 16th century ecclesial reform and deform movements in Europe

Ernst M Conradie ,Teddy Chalwe Sakupapa

doi:10.17570/stj.2017.v3n2.a01

Ernst M Conradie , Teddy Chalwe Sakupapa

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.17570/stj.2017.v3n2.a01

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Abstract

This contribution is based on what may be called a pedagogical experiment in a postgraduate course on the 16th century European Reformations that was offered at the University of the Western Cape in the first semester of 2017. On the basis of a close reading of selected literature on the reformation, this contribution highlights the legacy of 16th century ecclesial movements for Southern Africa. The point of departure is located in the context of a discussion on a range of guiding concepts for social transformation in the contemporary (South) African context. It is argued that the deepest diagnosis of current (South) African discourse may well point to a view that none of the options for a category that may be regarded as more ultimate than justice (as a ‘remedy’) is attractive enough to muster sufficient moral energy without endless further contestations. Without necessarily suggesting what that ultimate maybe, it is suggested that a lack of an appealing notion of what is truly ultimate can undermine any attempts to address inequality (as our diagnosis) in current discourse. This necessarily calls attention to the relationship between the penultimate and the ultimate, and indeed between justification and justice.

Highlights

This contribution is based on what may be called a pedagogical experiment in a postgraduate course on the 16th century European Reformations that was offered at the University of the Western Cape in the first semester of 2017
In the first semester of 2017 we offered a postgraduate module at the University of the Western Cape entitled ‘The Impact of 16th century European Reformations in South Africa’ (Theological Studies 736)
Should we in (South) Africa be engaging in reflection on 16th century European ecclesial movements together with Europeans who celebrate/commemorate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s act of pinning 95 statements to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg in 1517? Why and to what purpose should this be done, if at all? The answer to this question is fairly obvious, namely that such ecclesial movements continue to have an impact on us in South Africa, through waves of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, British and German imperial and colonial conquest, through missionary movements from such countries and indirectly through the impact of modernity

Summary

Introduction

In the first semester of 2017 we offered a postgraduate module at the University of the Western Cape entitled ‘The Impact of 16th century European Reformations in South Africa’ (Theological Studies 736). The course that we offered suggested a particular route to explore the question about the legacy of 16th century European reformations, namely with reference to the notion of ‘guiding concepts’ for social transformation. It would seem that one may explore comparisons between the 16th century in Europe and contemporary South African discourse, even if there are obvious methodological caveats regarding anachronistic terminology Each participant in this pedagogical experiment had to select one such guiding concept, compare that with the notion of ‘reformation’, and address this set of questions on the basis of the prescribed literature (only)

Guiding concepts for social transformation

Conceptual options

The need for a depth diagnosis in South Africa