Open AccessThe Christian politician? An investigation into the theological grounding for Christians’ participation in politics
Author(s) -
Rothney S. Tshaka,
Boitumelo Ben Senokoane
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
hts teologiese studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.282
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 2072-8050
pISSN - 0259-9422
DOI - 10.4102/hts.v72i1.3300
Subject(s) - subject (documents) , politics , conversation , perception , political science , sociology , environmental ethics , law , epistemology , philosophy , communication , library science , computer science
Party politics is a controversial subject in mainline ecclesiastical circles in South Africa. While one can be forgiven for thinking that this perception changed after 1994, the reverse seems to be the case. This article is an attempt to start a conversation on the subject of Christian leaders’ participation in politics. It will become clear from this article that the entrenched idea of the separation between the material and the spiritual is problematic. Acknowledging the sensitivity around this subject, this article aims to intentionally engage the involvement of Christian leaders in party politics. This is done in a positive albeit careful manner simply because the need for ethical leadership in present-day South Africa has become urgent