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The Bible in Politics in Zimbabwe
Machingura, Francis; Kalizi, Cecil Samuel (2024): The Bible in Politics in Zimbabwe, in: Masiiwa Ragies Gunda, Kathrin Gies, Ezra Chitando, u. a. (Hrsg.), Going the Extra Mile : Reflections on Biblical Studies in Africa and the Contributions of Joachim Kügler, Bamberg: University of Bamberg Press, S. 145–164, doi: 10.20378/irb-96592.
Author:
Title of the compilation:
Going the Extra Mile : Reflections on Biblical Studies in Africa and the Contributions of Joachim Kügler
Editors:
Publisher Information:
Year of publication:
2024
Pages:
ISBN:
978-3-98989-012-1
Language:
English
DOI:
Abstract:
The Bible was used in politics during both the colonial and post-colonial eras in Africa. This chapter shows that the Bible was and is still being used to promote the political agenda of the elite. This is the predisposition by regimes to employ popular religions in their interaction with constituencies to promote their political objectives. Yet the application of the biblical message on national issues, including politics must be within the parameters of sound exegesis and hermeneutics. The chapter shows examples of debatable and controversial use of the Bible in Zimbabwe and South Africa by politicians such as Robert Mugabe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Nelson Chamisa, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma. Furthermore, the controversy includes the clergy making the matter even weightier and worthy of academic interest. We demonstrate in this chapter that if the church spoke with one united voice and become apolitical in its engagement with the state and spoke with authority on matters of national development and national interest it would be the true salt and light of the world. While that would not eliminate the controversies and abuse of the Bible in society, it would serve as a good standard to the society.
GND Keywords: ; ; ; ;
Südafrika
Simbabwe
Politik
Bibel
Hermeneutik
Keywords: ; ; ; ;
Bible
Politics
Hermeneutics
Zimbabwe
South Africa
DDC Classification:
RVK Classification:
Type:
Contribution to an Articlecollection
Activation date:
August 20, 2024
Permalink
https://fis.uni-bamberg.de/handle/uniba/96592