Abstract
One of the veritable ways to engage the role of Christianity in the public square is to explore its connections with justice, politics, and human dignity. In contemporary African theological discourse, two of the scholars that thoroughly examined the intersection of liberation, justice, and the African dilemma were Marc Ela and Engelbert Mveng. In their writings on African theology, philosophy, music, and art, both scholars consistently grappled with how African people have dealt with the daunting challenges of “anthropological poverty” and several mitigating factors that seek to undermine their identity and culture. This study argues that Mveng and Ela provide a more holistic approach to reconciling faith and justice in Africa. Through their theology of “holistic engagement,” they were able to identify and address issues that are germane to the African identity, reality, and human dignity. This paper identifies Mveng and Ela as “organic Christian intellectuals” who genuinely wrestled with the African predicament and ultimately crafted an African theology of liberation. In this paper, I interrogate their enduring contributions to African thought, philosophy, and theology. In my critical evaluation of Mveng and Ela, I also identify some of the perennial issues that continue to have telling influence on the African psyche, personality, and pauperization.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
AFRICA, POVERTY, DIGNITY, POLITICS, LIBERATION, PHILOSOPHY
