From Liberation Theology to “Liberative Theology” in Africa: SomeThoughts

Abstract

Black Africa is currently experiencing the “prosperity and health gospel” (with roots in American Christian fundamentalism) being expounded by ‘born-again’ Christian pastors of Charismatic churches. The “prosperity and health gospel” forms a powerful discourse on which many people are constructing their lives. To aspire to be rich, to be famous or become a politician has endowed the whole enterprise of prosperity and health as a sign of being favoured by God, with prestige and a bright future. In this milieu the sense of
common good is absolutely overshadowed. I am proposing a change in terminology and pedagogy from liberation theology or theology of liberation to “liberative theology” in the wake of multiparty politics, Christian fundamentalism and the economic degradation of God’s people. My article sets out with a brief history of how liberation theologies have come about and goes on to give examples of liberation theologies before attempting to express the meaning of the change in terminology and pedagogy from liberation to “liberative” theology.