Living in the “MayBe” – Confronting Injustice
The African church stands at a crossroads, wrestling with its role in a world shaped by colonial legacies and weaponized truths. For too long, the church has expended energy striving for doctrinal correctness, leaving little room for transformative action. This frustration stems from a history where colonial powers distorted the Gospel to serve domination rather than liberation, leaving African Christians searching for a vision to guide them in the 21st century. Yet, a new horizon is emerging—one where the church embraces uncertainty, confronts injustice, and participates in God’s Shalom, a vision of peace, justice, and flourishing for all.
This new horizon, where the visible and invisible meet, calls the African church to be countercultural, rooted in liberating theologies that prioritize hope and change. As John Mbiti reminds us, African spirituality is inherently communal, seeking harmony with God and neighbor (Mbiti, 1990). To live in the “MayBe” is to embrace the uncertainty of faith, rejecting the dogmatic certainties that have long plagued Christianity. As Anne Lamott poignantly states, “The opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty” (Lamott, 2005). This posture of openness transforms faith into an adventure, inviting the church to explore uncharted territories of justice and equality.
The African church must confront its colonial past, which entrenched divisions and marginalized voices. The Rwandan genocide and the exploitation of the Democratic Republic of Congo stand as stark reminders of the consequences of a faith co-opted by power (Katongole, 2011). To move forward, we propose the following principles for this new horizon:
- Embrace Uncharted Territory: The church must navigate shifting realities, unafraid of uncertainty, to rediscover its prophetic voice.
- Reject Denial: Acknowledge the confusion and harm caused by colonial legacies to chart a path toward healing.
- Be Countercultural: Stand against systems of oppression, prioritizing the marginalized over institutional comfort.
- Hold Fast to Hope: Believe in the church’s potential to embody God’s Shalom, as Desmond Tutu modeled through South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Tutu, 1999).
This horizon is not a manual of “how-tos” but a call to reimagine where we come from and where we are headed. It demands commitment and risk-taking, as seen in the work of African peace warriors who bridge divides through dialogue and action. As Daniel Buttry notes, peacemaking is woven into the fabric of being the church, the Body of Christ, in a world rife with conflict (Buttry, 2015). To confront injustice, the African church must live in the “MayBe,” fostering a faith that embraces mystery, challenges oppression, and builds communities where all are welcome.
Call to Action: Join the African Peace Warriors in reimagining a church that confronts injustice with courage and compassion. Engage in conflict transformation trainings, listen to the marginalized, and embody the Shalom vision in your community.
Read more deeply into “Living in The MayBe” at Christopher Levan’s work here
Read more about PhilipKakungulu