Challenge to the Church: A Theological Comment on the Political Crisis in South Africa: The Kairos Document

Third World Theology

by The Kairos Theologians

Book by Kairos Theologians (Group)

Genres: South Africa, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1985

Reviews

[joyce]

powerful and historically significant document. not super theologically vigorous, but that wasn't what I was looking for.
+ read the kairos document for palestine as well!

[Nikolaj Bach]

Spicy men jeg kan godt lide spicy.

Stærk og historisk manifest der balancerer fint I øvelelsen at huske nuancer og samtidig beholde manifestsentimentet.

Også relevant i dag og sætter refleksioner igang om teologiske svar på nuværende politiske situationer og kriser.

[Jonathan]

A pretty remarkable document that advocates for a "prophetic theology" in South Africa, over against the racist "state theology" and a too moderate "church theology." A good example of liberation theology. This also really preaches amd does not mince words!

While I have some quibbles (does God really only require us to forgive our enemies once they've repented? Does Jesus' teaching about turning the cheek only apply to not being vengeful or to all violence?) within the context of 1980's South Africa this is quite the document!

[Joshua Polanski]

"The moment of truth has compelled us to analyze more carefully the different theologies in our Churches and to speak out more clearly and boldly about the real significance of these theologies. We have been able to isolate three theologies and we have chosen to call them 'State Theology,' 'Church Theology' and 'Prophetic Theology.' In our thoroughgoing criticism of the first and second theologies we do not wish to mince our words. The situation is too critical for that."

[Jon Coutts]

Incisive and fascinating, as much for its collective production as for its substance. The Kairos Document reads like a modern epistle - a status confessionis - and as such belongs alongside The Bethel Confession and MLK's Letter from a Birmingham Jail. "The repentance we preach must be named... Our services and sacraments have been appropriated to serve the need of the individual for comfort and security."

[Amy Chavez]

Historically significant and meaningful document that ought to be read by devout Catholics, even if it lacks strong theological vigor.

[Grace]

radicalised me a bit ngl