Description
Africa’s overarching quest for reconstructing and regaining her disrupted identity, cultural fiber, religious commitment and socio-economic life, wrought about by the effects of Covid-19 pandemic, will require a solid theological reflection as its basis. This is as opposed to uncritically relying on conventional theological premises which were the products of different contextual dynamics and realities and which may not aid in addressing the emerging issue confronting Africa and especially in relation to Covid-19 impact. As J.N.K. Mugambi and Guy Michael puts it, “Theological reflection can be conducted only within particular cultural backgrounds and specific existential situations”. The on-going Covid-19 pandemic has ushered in unprecedented shift to our existential realities, language and experiences that will influence how theological reflection will proceed. One way to undertake a solid theological reflection that will provide the needed theological foundations for aiding Africa’s post Covid-19 related reconstruction quest is by examining the various new terminologies (Isolation, lockdowns, Quarantine, social distancing, protocols, and masking), their possible theological undertones, as well as citing possible ways of integrating them into the theological reflection enterprise. The objective of the study is to identify ways in which the selected terms impact on our theological reflection and how to integrate them into this theological enterprise. The study will utilize content research design focusing greatly on J.N.K. Mugambi’s ‘theology of reconstruction’ and Valentin Dedji ‘Reconstruction and renewal in African theology’ as important conversation partners.
