A Theology of Reconstruction: Nation-Building and Human Rights

by Charles Villa-Vicencio

Overview

The changing situation in South Africa and Eastern Europe prompts Charles Villa-Vicencio to investigate the implications of transforming liberation theology into a theology of reconstruction and nation-building. Such a transformation, he argues, requires theology to become an unambiguously interdisciplinary study. This book explores the encounter between theology, on the one hand, and constitutional writing, law-making, human rights, economics, and the freedom of conscience on the other. Placing his discussion in the context of the South African struggle, the author compares this situation to that in Eastern Europe, and the challenge of what is happening in these situations is identified for contexts where "the empire has not yet crumbled."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521416252
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/20/1992
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Ideology and Religion , #1
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.67(w) x 8.78(h) x 0.87(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. Theology and nation-building 2. The wieght of dead generations 3. The rule of law: searching for values 4. Human rights and theology 5. Transcending individualism and collectivism 6. Theology and political economy 7. Theology and economic justice 8. The right to believe Conclusion Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

"A Theology of Reconstruction is Charles Villa-Vicencio at his best, responding with positive proposals for what a society should think and do when its cages begin to crumble. South African in viewpoint, the book invites us to think about human history, politics, and culture as the stuff of an emerging global, ecumenical conversation. It is a superb contribution to the conversation." Theology Today

"A Theology of Reconstruction is Charles Villa-Vicencio at his best, responding with positive proposals for what a society should think and do when its cages begin to crumble. South African in viewpoint, the book invites us to think about human history, politics, and culture as the stuff of an emerging global, ecumenical conversation. It is a superb contribution to the conversation." Theology Today

"There could not have been a more timely publication...This is a splendid contribution to the debate of the role of the church in exhilarating times, times when there are no real paradigms to turn to for what to do next. I commend Professor Villa-Vicencio's effort warmly." Archbishop Desmond Tutu

From the Publisher