Breaking the silence: Is the church failing to address South Africa’s sociopolitical problems?

• Published in: Hervormde teologiese studies Vol. 80; no. 2; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Author: Mkhize, Thabani E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Afrikaans; English
• Published: Pretoria African Online Scientific Information Systems (Pty) Ltd t/a AOSIS 2024; AOSIS (Pty) Ltd; University of Pretoria; AOSIS
• Subjects: action; advocacy; Christianity; Church; Corruption; Economic conditions; Economic growth; Ecumenism; Inequality; Mediation; misgovernance; mismanagement; Poverty; Religion; service; silence; Society; Unemployment; South Africa; action; mismanagement; silence; misgovernance; service; advocacy
• ISSN: 0259-9422; 2072-8050; 2072-8050
• DOI: 10.4102/hts.v80i2.9580

This article investigates why the Ecumenical Church in South Africa has not responded effectively to social issues such as bad governance, corruption, inequality, crime, and ethical decline. It uses contextual and comparative analysis to examine the historical, political, and theological factors that influence the church’s role and identity. It draws on missiology, practical theology, and ecclesiology to argue that the church is neglecting its moral and prophetic duty to uphold human dignity and value, and to offer hope and healing to all. The investigation identified six reasons for the church’s social failure and proposes some practical and theological ways to improve its social responsibility and witness.Contribution: This article challenges the church to be a prophetic voice and witness for social transformation in South Africa. It calls for a national convention of Christian leaders to craft a unified vision for the country’s future and foster dialogue, cooperation, and social responsibility among diverse and complex churches.