THE DIALECTICS OF THE CITY OF GOD AND THE EARTHLY CITY IN NIGERIA

TOWARDS A CRITICAL AND CONSTRUCTIVE AFRICAN POLITICAL THEOLOGY

Abstract

This essay argues for a critical and constructive prophetic Christian social imaginary in Africa. I will use Nigeria as a test case to show why the absence of a political theology is undermining the witness and mission of the Church, harming the common good of society and the realization in our history of the eschatological fruits of the reign of God. Given the limited scope of this essay, what I offer here are some preliminary thoughts and principles, which will be further elaborated in future writings. My hope is that readers may find here some helpful starting point which could inspire them to raise critical questions about the validity of some of the current narratives about African societies with regard to religious faith, the nation-state, and the movement of history in Africa. I will proceed by stating five key principles and five methodological starting points for doing African political theology. Secondly, using Augustine’s political theology as guide, I will develop some theological hermeneutic for analyzing the dialectics of the two cities in history. I will finally apply this analysis to critiquing Nigeria’s political situation today. I will conclude by showing the wisdom of Pope Francis to show the urgency of a strong engagement of the Christian Gospel with contemporary African politics and its centrality for the Christian mission in Africa today.