Reflections and Resources

Abstract

Originally written as a response to the first of two papers presented by William Storrar at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, this article presents a critical response to public theology from a post-colonial perspective. It contends that public theology is trapped in an attempt to universalize concepts, similar to earlier forms of theology, and does not take developing world theologies seriously. It is post-coloniality, rather than postmodernity, that this article claims is of importance to South African society. The idea that public theology can address the anger in South African society, without a theory of resistance as found in liberation theologies, is challenged. Originally written as a response to the first of two papers presented by William Storrar at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, this article presents a critical response to public theology from a post-colonial perspective. It contends that public theology is trapped in an attempt to universalize concepts, similar to earlier forms of theology, and does not take developing world theologies seriously. It is post-coloniality, rather than postmodernity, that this article claims is of importance to South African society. The idea that public theology can address the anger in South African society, without a theory of resistance as found in liberation theologies, is challenged.