Browsing by Author "Phiri, Michael John Jonifani"

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    Bonhoeffer on salvation : towards an adequate soteriology for engaging secular humanism in Malawi
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-08-27) Phiri, Michael John Jonifani; Vosloo, Robert; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Systematical Theology and Ecclesiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research explores Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s views on salvation and the central place occupied by soteriology in Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s theology as well as how Bonhoeffer’s soteriology could provide a theologically sufficient resource for engaging secular humanism in Malawi. Secular humanism is portrayed as a soteriological problem requiring a soteriological address. The research traces some of the underlying assumptions of secular humanism and indicates how it is at odds with, and poses a challenge to, the Christian doctrine of salvation. Though Bonhoeffer did not address secular humanism directly, his soteriology – this study argues – could provide a paradigm and model for understanding and responding to secular humanism in Malawi. Given the central focus on Bonhoeffer’s soteriology in this study, the political-historical context of Bonhoeffer’s thought as well as the theological and philosophical influences upon Bonhoeffer’s theology, especially his soteriology, are first explored. The research progresses to follow the unfolding of the theme of salvation in Bonhoeffer’s academic theology, his Berlin lectures, his pastoral theology and his later theology. Subsequently, systematic considerations concerning the relation of soteriology to other themes like ecclesiology and Christology in Bonhoeffer’s theology are discussed. The objective is to discern the content, role and prominence of soteriology in Bonhoeffer’s entire theological project. Against this backdrop, selected African theologians on the theme of salvation are introduced with a view to understand how these theologians speak of salvation. It is worthwhile noting that this discussion points to an understanding of salvation as wholeness that affirms salvation in both spiritual and temporal dimensions. Herein lies an important congruence with Bonhoeffer’s thought. This knowledge helps in determining how to appropriate Bonhoeffer’s soteriology in contemporary African contexts, addressing, for instance, the challenges posed by secular humanism in Malawi. Hence the soteriological formulation of Bonhoeffer’s Christological question: What is salvation for us today? The research affirms soteriology as a crucial theme underlying Bonhoeffer’s writings and theology, and indicates its potential to respond in a theological adequate way to the concerns raised by secular humanism without slipping into religious fundamentalism.
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    Secular humanism in Malawi : a historical-theological inquiry
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-04) Phiri, Michael John Jonifani; Vosloo, Robert; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The goal of this thesis is to present a historical-theological inquiry regarding secular humanism in Malawi. Some Christians have tried to respond, but there has been no detailed historical-theological response from the Church or theologians, nor has there been any critical investigation into the philosophy and underlying assumptions of secular humanism (understood as a specific movement and a broader intellectual current). (SHOULD BE REMOVED) The study is both historical and theological in perspective. It is historical, in that secular humanism is dealt with from a historical dimension, whereby its development over centuries is traced and lessons are learnt on how to respond to this movement in Malawi today. This study is also theological, in that it explores whether Christian humanism can engage constructively with concerns raised by secular humanists. It describes secular humanism on the level of its underlying assumptions, which are laid bare and their possible weaknesses exposed. The researcher holds that a critique of the assumptions is of greater merit than that which ends only on the level of specific arguments. Such a method of critiquing is borrowed from Klaus Nürnberger, who in his book Richard Dawkins’ God Delusion: A Repentant Refutation, critiqued Dawkins on the level of assumptions as well as Alister and Joanna McGrath who, in their book The Dawkins Delusion? Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine, challenged Dawkins at representative points, leaving it to readers to judge the overall reliability of his evidence and position. This is not to throw away specific arguments for it is through such arguments that we discern assumptions. This study is a critical engagement with the assumptions of secular humanism in Malawi, with the goal of responding to the challenges posed by their critique of religiosity. The study seeks to offer a constructive and adequate way of engaging Secular humanists and at the same time, explores whether Christian humanism is ideal in engaging concerns raised by secular humanists. The Christian humanist John W. de Gruchy is studied. He drew from John Calvin and Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the study also shows how he made use of their insights.