Identity formation and community solidarity : second temple historiographies in discourse with (South) African theologies of reconstruction

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is motivated by a call by some African theologians for an African theology ofreconstruction, specifically Mugambi. Its intended contribution is to propose a biblicalparadigm from the Old Testament for an African theology of reconstruction. The study isfully convinced that a successful reconstruction process in Africa is possible if the process ofidentity formation is recognised as a strongly influential force on the process. The identityformation process needs to be consciously driven into a particular direction.The study identifies two factors that influence the success or failure of a reconstructionprocess. The two factors, which are conversely related, are community solidarity and socialconflict. Community solidarity facilitates reconstruction and social conflict retards it. As faras the study is concerned, both of these factors are products of identity formation. If anidentity formation process is exclusive it results in social conflict and if it is inclusive itresults in community solidarity. The unfortunate part, according to the study, in any newlyliberated nation, is that identity formation is inevitable.Because the Judean community of the Second Temple was a newly liberated community, thestudy suggests an exploration of their identity formation process. Although the contextsmight not be the same, the suggestion is based on the hope that some lessons which can be ofvalue to the African identity formation process might be learnt. The different ideologies thatendeavoured to direct the identity formation of that community can potentially inform us ofimportant issues to take note of when engaging in an identity formation process.Amongst the diverse historiographies of the Second Temple period, the study will exploretwo historiographies, namely, Ezra-Nehemiah and Chronicles. There are two reasons whythese particular historiographies are chosen. The first one is that Nehemiah has already beenproposed by some scholars as a biblical paradigm for a theology of reconstruction. Thesecond one is that Chronicles, in many respects is related to Nehemiah and therefore providesa suitable comparison for a research study of this nature.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University