Abstract
Having to cope in the revolution-driven world of the 21st century as well as the new-normal COVID-19 society brought theology to yet another crossroad. Theology (both theory and praxis) must react positively to the changes and lessons learned from some of the major revolutions. Just as the Fourth Industrial Revolution blurs the distinctive lines between physical, digital, and biological, so should the separated boxes of personal faith, institutionalised religion, and spirituality be wiped out. Human self-awareness helps us know ourselves and improve our ability to glorify God, while the Communication Revolution empowers Christians to spread the gospel globally. Christianity is also in need of a revolution back to its origin of an un-institutionalised, non-hierarchical, living faith that is changing the lives of people both in the present and eternally. From a South African perspective, the article evaluates the major mistakes that Christians made, some achievements on which they could build and expand, and the ideals that should pave the way forward. It is time to ask some hard questions and provide appropriate answers in the quest for Christian renewal.
Highlights
We regularly – more often since the turn of the century – refer to how the world is changing at an ever-increasing rate, the extent of the global chaos we experience, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, provides a new nuance to the level and intensity of what the term “change” can entail
A few broad strokes on the revolution-driven world serve as background setting for reflecting on Christianity in South Africa
We learn how to judge and interpret history, in the South African context, from historical works that are prescribed for use in secondary and religious education
Summary
We regularly – more often since the turn of the century – refer to how the world is changing at an ever-increasing rate, the extent of the global chaos we experience, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, provides a new nuance to the level and intensity of what the term “change” can entail. A few broad strokes on the revolution-driven world serve as background setting for reflecting on Christianity in South Africa This complex environment of change and transition influences our personal lived experiences, the academic side of theology as well as the theological theories underpinning these. Both the praxis of faith and the theological theories we adhere to must be altered or even “exchanged for alternatives that make more sense in the light of the totality of our experience” (Van den Toren 2016:55), as chaos and change bring with them the inherent opportunity for growth, development, and renewal. A theological revolution or reformation, built upon a cyclical repetitive movement back to the start, will ensure that Christianity and faith once again thrive in a non-institutional-dependent, action-filled environment that will promote positive change
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