Rethinking Power in Africa: Religious and Theological Perspectives

Abstract

In this chapter, I discuss religious and theological perspectives on power that could be explored as part of a pluralistic reorganization of political power in postcolonial Africa.3 First, I discuss the place and the ambiguous use of religion to argue that religion could play a major role in the transformation of society. Second, I discuss perspectives on power in Yoruba religious discourse to demonstrate that there are spiritual resources that could serve as a critique of the excesses of power. Third, I present theological perspectives on power in dialogue with Paul Tillich’s theology of power. I do not claim that theological perspectives on power serve as a deus ex machina that would resolve all the crises of the postcolonial state. Although it is not possible to provide a detailed study of religion as an institution here and compare its power mechanisms with those of political power, this discussion is far from being what Pierre Bourdieu described as a “legitimating discourse.” I argue that religious communities, specifically Christian churches, best serve their communities when they maintain a critical relationship with the state and articulate critical theological insights on the nature and purpose of political power.4