Disruptive contextualization and the pursuit of justice: Public theology in post-apartheid Namibia

Abstract

Apartheid is a philosophy of dehumanization. Today, although legally abrogated, Apartheid’s multidimensional effects are still felt and exacerbated by a capricious political culture that cannot eradicate it. Thus, Apartheid continues in the form of social and economic class collusion, which develops subtleties that sustain injustice. This study contends that theology has a stake in the public good that the present status quo undermines. Given the complex systematization that has gone into creating such a harsh system’s unjust benefits, counter-attempts must be equally rigorous. One way to counter social injustice is through epistemological disruption—contextualization. Contextualizing the notions of justice interrogates epistemological hegemonies that are taken for granted at the expense of socio-historical realities. It also seeks to refute denialism, which promotes notions that avoid creating a restorative social order. The theological task of this study seeks to point out how contextualization restores the narratives, metaphors, and epistemological frameworks of affected persons. This approach sees justice as an act of restoring the dignity of God’s image-bearers. This study employs an analytic approach to establish whether disruptive contextualization could provide helpful theological participation in the Namibian post-Apartheid public discourse on justice.