Blackness and Whiteness separated: A political theology after the subject-object relation

Abstract

Political theology is a socio-critical theology with its face towards the world. The formations of the matrix of power in the world are produced by coloniality and its dynamics outworked in the world. Thus, based on this meaning of political theology, there is a possibility to use political theology to critique the ways of knowing and being, and face the world to see a hope in theology. Furthermore, political theology allows socio-political critique outside the colonial paradigm. This article seeks to detail the colonial subject-object paradigm as well as how Whiteness is intrinsically connected to ‘the other’, Blackness. Additionally, it discusses the different iterations of politicised theology in South Africa – a process of a disengaged and decolonial political theology. Finally, it proposes a decolonial process of politicised theology using South African knowledge systems and theologising in order to disable the paradigm for the liberating possibilities of both sides of the colonial paradigm. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article is interdisciplinary as it looks at theological reflection as well as philosophy, sociology and anthropology in decolonial scholarship. This article aligns with the scope of the journal as it creates a conversation around political theology and the possibility for a liberatory political theology from South Africa.

Keywords

• political theology
• colonialism
• coloniality
• decolonialism
• justice