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Project

Kenosis as Liberation: The Kenotic Theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar as a Critical Foundation for African Liberation Theology

This dissertation makes a contribution to the contemporary theological conversations that search for a theological interpretative framework for the African continent. The urgency of the quest is given greater impetus by the existing paradox of prevalent social evils in a continent where Christianity is gaining significantly greater acceptance. Criticism and admonitions regarding aspects of liberation theology, notably from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, must be acknowledged. Nonetheless I contend that African liberation theology remains the most relevant theology for the African continent. However, I propose that its potential fruitfulness will be greatly enhanced through incorporating elements of the kenotic theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar. In exploring the origins and development of African liberation theology, I have established that ‘liberation’ has always been a major driving force underlying adaptation, indigenisation and inculturation theologies. And with the shift of emphasis from inculturation to liberation, there has been growing recognition that while the liberation thrust of the gospel is highly relevant to the predicaments besetting African society, by and large it has had little influence in the transformation of the African social reality. While favouring African liberation theology, I argue that it must have a Christological basis and orientation. My contention is that if it is to both elicit and implement the liberative potential of the gospel message, African liberation theology must have the vicarious kenosis of Christ as its hermeneutical key. Upholding the form of Christ is fruitful in that it successfully avoids the risk of falling into anthropological triumphalism and historicization of salvation while at the same time pursuing and inaugurating the kingdom of God within the contingent history. After critically examining the kenotic thinking of Balthasar alongside Jean-Marc Ela’s theological writings, I have argued that Balthasar’s kenotic theology can offer a constructive critique to African liberation theology. Balthasar asserts that God in Christ has revealed himself as a kenotic being. Jesus evinces self-limitation and sacrifice as the life of the triune God, and has invited everyone who wants to follow him to embrace the same. From the foregoing perspective, kenotic African liberation theology does not only foster the liberative motive of the gospel in the Christian consciousness but it also, and more importantly, presents the gospel as a living force for transforming their social situation from within. In this task a theologian can only be effective if he is a constructive participant alongside the people in their actual life experiences.

Date:1 Mar 2019 →  1 Oct 2019
Keywords:Kenosis, Hans Urs von Balthasar, African Liberation Theology
Disciplines:Fundamental and systematic theology
Project type:PhD project