A Theology of Reconstruction
Nation-Building and Human Rights

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

Charles Villa-Vicencio (Author)

9780521426282, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 20 August 1992

320 pages
21.5 x 13.7 x 1.7 cm, 0.51 kg

"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

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 inter-disciplinary 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. Locating 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'.

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

Subject Areas: Religion: general [HRA]