Reading John Calvin in the African context: any relevance for the social reconstruction of Africa?

Abstract

The article sets out to demonstrate that even though John Calvin, the great reformer of the 16th century CE, was grossly misinterpreted by neo-Calvinists, especially with regard to the African context, he nevertheless deserves our attention as we mark 500 years since his birth (1509–2009). In other words, postcolonial Africa has to learn from his reforms in the socio-religious and educational sectors, among others. In the era of reconstruction, can his reforms be seen as reconstructive? Were the proponents and pioneers of an African renaissance like Marcus Garvey and WEB Dubois driven by Calvinism when they advocated “Africa for the Africans”? Was Calvinism misinterpreted in the Afrikaners’ sense of divine destiny in apartheid South Africa? To this end, the article will build on the hypothesis that our quest for an authentic and holistic liberation and reconstruction of postcolonial Africa will require us to revisit the gallant efforts of John Calvin’s reforms, as his was an applied and pragmatic theology that is relevant in our African context today. Reading John Calvin in the African context thus calls us to reexamine society in general and address areas that beg for reforms. In turn, this will invite us to act with decorum and with a sense of urgency.