A Wesleyan Theology Of Politics For The Ghanaian Context -- By: William A. Mpere-Gyekye

Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 27:1 (Mar 2019)
Article: A Wesleyan Theology Of Politics For The Ghanaian Context
Author: William A. Mpere-Gyekye


A Wesleyan Theology Of Politics For The Ghanaian Context1

William A. Mpere-Gyekye

and

Robert W. Brodie

Keywords

Creation, God, Ghanaian, Governance, Grace, Humanity, Image of God, Political Image, Theology of Politics

About The Authors2

William A. Mpere-Gyekye

PhD student at the South African Theological Seminary (graduating May 2019).

Robert W. Brodie

PhD, St. Augustine, Dr Brodie is a lecturer and research supervisor at the South African Theological Seminary.

Abstract

This journal article offers a Wesleyan theological framework based on a renewed Wesleyan notion of the political image of God in humanity for political engagement in the Ghanaian context. First, the essay considers the meaning of the notion and its biblical and theological basis. Second, the essay offers two reasons for recovery, that is, the effects of sin, and the non-integration of the notion into Wesley’s evangelical theology. Third, the process of recovery is stated and implemented— drawing politics into Wesley’s order or way of salvation. Fourth the contours of a Wesleyan theology of politics, based on the renewed and restored political image in humanity is formulated and applied to the Ghanaian context.

This article: https://www.sats.edu.za/mpere-gyekye-brodie-wesleyen-theology-politics-ghanaian

1. Introduction

Faith communities do normally develop doctrines to guide and order the life of their members. These doctrines, apart from defining appropriate conduct required of members, also serve as catechetical tools, and delineate community boundaries. Instances of these are the Roman Catholic theory of Natural Law and the Lutheran doctrine of the Two Kingdoms. These provide for their followers theological rules of faith for political discourse.

Unlike Catholics and Lutherans, Wesleyans have no theological theory for political engagement both on the world stage (Weber 2000:19), and particularly in the African context (Ilesanmi 2009:700). This implies that there is no guided and uniform Wesleyan perspective in doing politics in Africa (Ilesanmi 2009:19), including Ghana. To correct this anomaly, the following essay seeks to provide a Wesleyan theological framework for political engagement in the Ghanaian context, using the Wesleyan theological notion of the political image of God as the main resource.

2. The Meaning Of The Political Image Of God<...
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