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Blackness as the way to and state of salvation: a search for true salvation in South Africa today

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dc.contributor.advisor Mofokeng, Takatso Alfred, 1942-
dc.contributor.author Senokoane, B. B.
dc.date.accessioned 2020-07-06T09:29:17Z
dc.date.available 2020-07-06T09:29:17Z
dc.date.issued 2016-09
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10500/26516
dc.description.abstract The dissertation is titled: “Blackness as the way to and state of salvation: A search for true salvation in South Africa today”. The research was prompted by the question of salvation and what it means for blacks. The provocation arose out of the problem and/or interpretation of classical theology on the subject of soteriology. The biblical text of the Song of Songs 1:5: “I am black and beautiful, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents Qedar, like the curtains of Solomon”, is used as key to the argument. Origen (an early Christian theologian, who was born and spent the first half of his career in Alexandria) interpretation of the preceding biblical text is identified as problematic for blackness and African salvation. The problem identified with his interpretation of the said text and its theology and/or soteriology is that, first; he identifies and affirms the “ugliness’ of the black external and physical colour and/or conditions. Secondly, his theology and/or soteriology is identified as dualistic, separating the physical and the soul, which the researcher challenges and is against it as does not reflect the understanding of soteriology and/or theology by Africans. The researcher attacks and argues against the ugliness of blackness and dualism as a white and Eurocentric logic and problem. The researcher in his argument exposes whiteness and eurocentrism as problematic. The problem associated with whiteness is its claim that it is beautiful and positions itself as the way of and to salvation. Moreover, whiteness is problematised as a racial identity, position of power, structural evil and sin, exploitative, oppressive, and as related to capitalism. In response, the researcher, a black theologian argues against the theology of Origen and labelling it as European and white. The researcher exposes blackness as beautiful, powerful, and as a way of life. For the researcher, salvation must be understood as holistic and as here and now, situated in the black conditions. The researcher argues against dualism and individualism in favour of a holistic and a communal African approach that is not exclusive and self-centered. This approach is inclusive of the belief in God, the self, others human beings and the natural environment. He is propagating a black theology that is in favour of blackness as life, beautiful, powerful, liberating, and socialistic. en
dc.format.extent 1 online resource (x, 234 leaves) en
dc.language.iso en en
dc.subject Blackness en
dc.subject Whiteness en
dc.subject Soteriology en
dc.subject Salvation en
dc.subject Christology en
dc.subject Creation en
dc.subject Reconciliation en
dc.subject Renewal and Consummation en
dc.subject.ddc 234.09
dc.subject.lcsh Salvation -- Christianity -- History of doctrines en
dc.subject.lcsh Blacks -- Race identity -- South Africa en
dc.subject.lcsh Whites -- Race identity -- South Africa en
dc.subject.lcsh Origen -- Criticism and interpretation en
dc.subject.lcsh Bible. Song of Solomon -- Criticism, interpretation, etc. en
dc.subject.lcsh Blacks -- South Africa -- Religion en
dc.subject.lcsh South Africa -- Religion en
dc.subject.lcsh Reconciliation -- Religious aspects -- Christianity en
dc.title Blackness as the way to and state of salvation: a search for true salvation in South Africa today en
dc.type Thesis en
dc.description.degree D. Th. (Systematic Theology) en


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  • Unisa ETD [12519]
    Electronic versions of theses and dissertations submitted to Unisa since 2003

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