Theological Seminar Calls for Decolonizing the Bible

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WCC News and other sources | November 28, 2024

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) cohosted a provocative seminar on the university’s campus here, Nov. 18-24, that explored the Bible's dual role in colonial history and movements for liberation.

Titled “The Word of God Is Living and Active: Decolonising the Bible in the Midst of Colonial Legacies and Idolatrous Powers,” the seminar gathered scholars, faith leaders and activists to discuss reinterpreting biblical texts to challenge colonial legacies. Practical strategies included integrating decolonial perspectives into academic curricula, fostering lived experiences, developing and strengthening networks and communities of common struggle for the flourishing of life, and standing in solidarity with all those resisting coloniality in its many forms.

“The Bible...has played an undeniable role in shaping colonial and neo-colonial systems,” said Ignatius Swart, UWC Religion and Theology professor and department head, in welcoming the gathering.  “Yet, it also carries the seeds of liberation theology and transformative justice within it. This seminar invites us to critically examine how we engage with the Bible to challenge the systemic logic of empire that persists in our world.”

The city and university’s own past struggles against the oppression of racist apartheid made it an ideal venue. Professor Fiona Moolla immersed attendees in that history in ways that both inspired and dismayed many. Some cited the principle of decolonial pedagogy as an agenda for consideration by universities and ecumenical education and formation programs. (Decolonial pedagogy is an educational framework that aims to deconstruct Western cultural methods of teaching that tend to promote colonialism, imperialism and racism.)

Participants were challenged to see the work of decolonization not merely as an intellectual trend but as a calling and commitment to oppose the destructive influences of colonialism and neocolonialism today. Presented papers cited the impact of such influences in global climate change, racist and gender-based violence, land theft and other areas. They also cited efforts to achieve missional unity that fail to first disrupt marginalizing forces and privileges. 

Misuse of the Bible as a Weapon

Seminar presenters referred to misuse of the Bible as a weapon to justify privilege, violence and domination, but also cited its inherent power to inspire resistance to domination and countering visions of an alternative world, rooted in the movement of God towards God’s people in mission. 

Participants called on the WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME), the WCC Commission on Faith and Order, and the Programme on Overcoming Racism, Xenophobia and Related Discriminations to develop together a combative decolonial model that can bring about change and not just analysis.

Canon Rev. Peniel Rajkumar, global theologian with the United Society Partners in the Gospel, spoke of the complex entanglement of the Bible both as a colonizing weapon and a decolonizing tool. “Through creating a collaborative space where the uncovering of imperial agendas and the recovery of suppressed voices was made possible, this meeting fostered a solidarity which can be foundational for decolonial living,” he said.

Professor Esther Mombo, of St. Paul’s University School of Theology in Kenya, said that decolonizing the Bible challenges the literal reading of the Bible, which has justified racial injustices. "Decolonization empowers the people to name their lived realities: racism, sexism, patriarchy,” she said, “and to seek solutions for their situations—for example the African Theologians or the GenZ call for dismantling systemic injustices.” 

‘Mission from the Margins’

Rev. Teddy Chalwe Sakupapa, of UWC’s Department of Religion and Theology, commented that the seminar highlighted the importance of developing and strengthening networks and communities. “While not named explicitly, this seminar gave expression to mission from the margins,” he said. 

The seminar was structured in two thematic focus areas. The first embodied perspectives, and the second combined hermeneutics, epistemologies and translation. 

“Through context immersion, participants were alerted to movements and acts of resistance against the colonial and colonizing uses of the Bible to dominate,” said Sakupapa. “The outcomes of the seminar hold significance for ecumenical theological education and the missional praxis of churches, and for trans-disciplinary work and resistance against the powers of our time.”

The seminar pointedly called for a decolonial imagination. Litsoanelo Cecilia Zwane, UWC Religion and Theology associate lecturer, said the seminar was an invaluable opportunity to fully grapple with the various intersections of social issues. “What was very clear is how collaboration is important in how we can at least begin to chip away at rampant socioeconomic, epistemic, gender and ecological inequity,” said Zwane. "The inclusion of diverse people from diverse academic, personal and epistemological backgrounds added great nuance to the discussions.”

Professor Sarojini Nadar, of UWC’s Desmond Tutu Chair for Social Justice, reflected that anger is a legitimate epistemological starting point for appropriate decolonial work that acknowledges current injustices, including exposure to sexism, climate change, racism and ableism.

Adapted from a World Council of Churches News article and other sources. Read more views expressed at this event on the University of the Western Cape website at “Decolonising the Bible and Addressing Colonial Legacies,” November 26, 2024.

Other relevant WCC information sources:

Commission on World Mission and Evangelism  

Overcoming Racism, Discrimination and Xenophobia

WCC offers new anti-racist and anti-bias material for churches and communities

WCC Faith and Order Commission