Methodism in 20th Century South Africa

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at evidence that would suggest that the Christian church and its missionary activities have had a more positive effect on South Africa than has typically been believed. The paper looks at the history of the church there and how it has been able to help South Africa in its efforts dealing with the AIDS epidemic, poverty, and social and racial injustices.

The Christian Institute
The Programme to Combat Racism
Educational Mission
Ecumenism
Out Migration of South African Ideas

From the Paper:

"Apartheid may be a thing of the past in South Africa, but some of its effects linger on, and repairing those societal, theological problems has created some new ones as well. Fortunately, it appears that the Church-by which is meant all Christian churches-seem to be seeing things in a slightly more Christ-like manner than they often have elsewhere, at least of a number of recent commentators on those issues can be believed. In fact, the relatively smooth transition to an integrated society may reasonably be laid at the feet of the Church and its conduct during the colonial era. A number of conferences, leading up to and at the time of the end of apartheid, shed light on what the Church has done, both good and less positive, to bring about the changes in South African society. Also revealed, through the conferences and the actions of individual churches, including the Methodist church, are insights into what theological, social and moral problems might still remain."

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