TOWARD A LOCAL ZIONIST THEOLOGY? THE ROLE OF THE OUTSIDER THEOLOGIAN

Abstract

This paper outlines the methodology of constructing a local African theology of enculturalisation from the perspective of an outsider theologian. In the first section the concept of a ‘local theology’ (Schreiter) is explained. The second section explores the question of cultural analysis (Geertz) as starting point for African theology. The main part of the paper outlines the different ‘functions’ assigned to an outsider theologian. These are developed as follows: listen and discern; order and translate and evaluate. The paper includes a provincial creedal formulation from a Zionist perspective which serves as basis for a local African theology.