Written by: missingjesus.net
Article source: Supplied
Does Christianity have a place in the new South Africa?
Corruption, gender-based violence, continued poverty and inequality: these are some of the issues facing South Africans daily. They have almost become synonymous with the country. Where does this leave Christianity? Historically, Christianity has been the largest religious group in the country with around 80% of the population identifying themselves as Christians according to Stats SA*. But what does it mean to be a Christian and more importantly, what role should Christianity be playing in addressing the major social issues South Africa is faced with? In his new book, Missing Jesus? Finding the Shepherd we Lost, author, John Wessels cites the tendency of Christian leaders to conform to the demands of political, social and economic systems (Church Capture) as a key problem area.
Missing Jesus is aimed at encouraging congregations across Southern Africa to build an authentic relationship with Jesus rather than be mere “consumers” of religion. Within this context Christians need to undergo a process of introspection in order for Christianity to make a relevant contribution to the discussions around many of the issues plaguing the country and indeed the region. John fervently believes that Jesus and his Kingdom are what Southern Africa needs most right now.
Developed over the course of 20 years, Missing Jesus is intended as a real-world application for individuals and groups alike in order to bring them closer to the kingdom of Jesus as they gain a greater understanding of Jesus’ life, ministry and teachings. Wessels notes that Missing Jesus is about enabling Christians to rediscover their relationship with Jesus, it is, in essence, about helping South Africans become more than just a religious label or category.
Research by the PEW Centre suggests that while Christianity is still the dominant religious group worldwide by some way, Islam will overtake it by 2070 to become the largest religion in the world**. In response to this, Wessels observe that “Christianity needs to chart a new path that will help Christians have an authentic relationship with Jesus and the hope he offers to the world. ‘Jesus did not come to start a new religion but rather to announce God’s reign and show us how God intended life to be lived by individuals and society,” adds Wessels
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Date published: 20/12/2020
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only. unsplash.com
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