Browsing by Author "Nissen, Christopher"

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    Church/state partnership in development? : the case of Mitchell's plain and Khayelitsha in post-apartheid Cape Flats
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Nissen, Christopher; August, Karel Th.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since the Edict of Milan during the time of Constantine the Great, church and state relations were always antagonistic as Christianity was adopted as the state religion. The same is true for the South African Church during the apartheid era, howbeit restricted to one denomination. When apartheid ended, the challenge for the Church was carving out a renewed identity, one side being the white Afrikaner churches that enjoyed positions of power and privilege and the other majority black churches that fought for the abolishment of apartheid. Notwithstanding the manner in which Christianity arrived in South Africa, many hold the view that separation of spirituality and the political is impossible and by extension is important, a fact put forward by the then newly elected President Nelson Mandel. With each new political dispensation came new leadership which did not necessarily hold these views however, the Church remained important due to command in numbers. The pursuit of political power vis-à-vis votes came in the form of co-opting religious leaders into position of power resulting in silencing the Churches prophetic voice. In chapter I highlight the challenges that both Church and state face, namely, fighting societal ills in all its forms. Both the Church and state serve their constituencies in the name of development with the expressed aim of poverty alleviation, however, what this looked like relationally required more research. With the use of David Korten’s so-called People-Centred Development approach, I aimed to ascertain the extent development took place on the Cape Flats with specific focus on Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha along with the relational dynamics when societal challenges are dealt with in the name of development. By doing so, question the relationship of church and state in this dynamic is important as it dictates whether or not conditions within these areas will change. In chapter two I found it important to retrospectively analyse relational dynamics between church and state. I consider its historical functionality in ancient communities and what caused it to separate. This required theological substantiation as I illuminate the tensions revealed in the writings of individuals such as Augustine, Tertullian, Luther leading the Reformation. Similarly, consideration was given when tracing the history of apartheid in South Africa along with its aftermath, which certain aspects still being fought today. Communities remain divided with dire consequences as such require a voice which can only be given by the Church itself. In chapter three I analyse the “common enemy”, namely poverty in variation, as both church and state spend great time in battling it. The issue of poverty required an appropriate developmental response and thus consideration was given to the main contributors. When dealing with chapter four we are reminded based on analysis that communities are complex and were accompanied by a variety of customs before development was introduced. We also understand that they are themselves the Church and thus required renewed consideration through models of the Church. Both parties remain in constant tension with one another with an expressed desire for cooperation with diverse agendas. What remains true is that most interventions are introduced from the outside, with little to consideration given to involve the communities they serve. In chapter five I revisited the questions posed at the commencement of my research. A simple answer proves more challenging; however, my argument put forth would be one rooted in hope, and more specifically, Christian hope which falls within the Church as a community of faith. This Christian hope is not mythical but provide individuals and communities with a tangible way forward regardless of circumstances. Therefore, the Church through its message of Jesus Christ can bring about both emotional and physical well-being while communities are in waiting for circumstances to change.