Dear Friends in Christ,

A striking aspect about Lent and Easter is how political the story is.  Webster’s dictionary gives several definitions of politics including: “…competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership in a government or other group, …the total complex of relations between people in society.”

Jesus does not create or lead a political party although his disciples and detractors saw the journey up to Jerusalem and the Temple as a blatant political move.  They continually asked if he was the king of the Jews or the Messiah and when he would establish the new kingdom.  Jesus made it clear in words and deeds and through his suffering and death on the cross that the Reign of God was breaking into the world in him through vulnerable grace and not by force.  By reconciling everyone, sinners, the poor, the marginalized and outcastes Jesus was, by grace, transforming “the total complex of relations between people in society”…and in the world!

During the struggle against the Apartheid regime in South Africa the churches were lectured by some to stay out of politics and just stick to preaching the Gospel and called on by others to take a strong stand against injustice, racism and oppression.  The Kairos Document of 1985 was entitled “Challenge to the Church.”  The document critiqued “State Theology” which defended the status quo and “Church Theology” which withdrew into a private and individualistic spirituality.  The writers called for a “Prophetic Theology” which would eliminate oppression, help establish a just government for the common good of all the people and speak a message of hope, peace and reconciliation.  The document concluded, “There is hope.  There is hope for all of us.  But the road to that hope is going to be very hard and very painful. …But God is with us…We must participate in the cross of Christ if we are to have the hope of participating in his resurrection.”

In 1990 Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were released. The first democratic elections were held in 1994.  However, while political freedom was achieved economic inequality has grown with the gap between rich and poor increasing over the past 15 years. 

It seems like the long walk to freedom is getting longer but there are still signs of hope and challenging prophetic voices along the way.  The Foundation for Church-led Restitution (www.restitution.org.za) is one example of a number of organizations acting as catalysts to bring perpetrators and victims together and working with the rest of the community to build a common future together.  The Foundation is developing a “tool box” for individuals and groups to help them address the racist and oppressive past and to collaborate in developing restorative justice initiatives that make a difference for the whole community. 

It is a privilege for us as Lutherans in America to learn from our South African companions about God’s mission of reconciliation, transformation and empowerment.

Thank you for your support through the ELCA Missionary Sponsorship Program.

Yours faithfully,

Philip Knutson

ELCA Global Mission, Regional Program Assistant – Southern Africa

Cape Town

March 9, 2010

www.southernafricaconnections.org