This study surveys the theory about 'Christendom' developed by the Anglican theologian Oliver O'Donovan. The author defines 'Christendom' as a state of affairs in which the Christian faith in one... Show moreThis study surveys the theory about 'Christendom' developed by the Anglican theologian Oliver O'Donovan. The author defines 'Christendom' as a state of affairs in which the Christian faith in one way or another gives public direction to society and/or politics. The investigation is positioned within the present debate about the role of religion in Dutch society. The Anglo-Saxon Christendom debate illustrates that the discussions about the societal role of religion should not deny the theological dimension to this question. The Christendom debate of our time has been for the most part initiated by two American theologians, John Howard Yoder and Stanley Hauerwas. They take a critical view of Christendom. Besides this option there are four other positions in the Christendom debate: the Christian faith as civil religion, the liberal vision, the theocratic approach, and confessional or principled pluralism. A comparison between them and O'Donovan's theory shows out that the latter has the potential to unite what usually only exists in mutual tension and to open up a fruitful continuation of the 'Christendom' debate as well as the discussions about the role of religion in society. Show less
In the considerable number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa in which political institutions have largely broken down, religious discourse can be seen as an attempted remedy by means of a... Show moreIn the considerable number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa in which political institutions have largely broken down, religious discourse can be seen as an attempted remedy by means of a reordering of power. The numerous popular texts on witchcraft and other perceived forms of evil reflect the preoccupations of Africans with the way in which power is exercised in their societies. Since these texts are particularly concerned with the dangers that can arise when power is not properly organized and controlled, they can be considered a commentary on a world in which power is seen as being too often an instrument of evil people who use it to destroy peace and harmony. This article sketches a theory which clarifies the relationship between religion and politics in Africa. It first discusses what religion is, and how it may best be studied. Then it examines a couple of popular religious texts chosen by way of illustration, before passing on to some further observations on the way in which power is organized and perceived in various African societies. Finally, it draws some conclusions about religion as a political idiom. Show less
In de Hoorn van Afrika - Ethiopië, Djibouti, Somalië - heerst een relatieve staat van interreligieuze harmonie. Voor Somalië en Djibouti is dit makkelijk te begrijpen, omdat hier bijna de gehele... Show moreIn de Hoorn van Afrika - Ethiopië, Djibouti, Somalië - heerst een relatieve staat van interreligieuze harmonie. Voor Somalië en Djibouti is dit makkelijk te begrijpen, omdat hier bijna de gehele bevolking al vele eeuwen islamitisch is en bovendien tot één richting behoort, de soennitische. Maar ook in Ethiopië, waar moslims c. 45 procent van de bevolking uitmaken, is sprake van een relatief probleemloze verhouding, met name sinds 1974, toen de islam als tweede grote godsdienst erkend werd. Politieke organisatie op basis van religieuze identiteit lijkt noch in Ethiopië noch in Somalië een kans te maken. Deels is dit te verklaren uit het starre politieke systeem en de strenge staatscontrole op het openbare leven in deze landen, deels uit de etnische en etno-regionale verdeeldheid van de heterogene bevolking van de Hoorn. Show less
