The Theology and Politics of Hope in Africa
All too familiar with the calamities of violence, war, and poverty, Africa is in desperate need of a theology of hope in the form of lament. In his newest release, Emmanuel Katongole advocates this development and explores the rich theological and social dimensions of the practice of lament in Africa through accounts of Christian activism. Introducing lament as a mechanism to mourn and appeal God, Born from Lament is an invitation for all to contribute to a new narrative for the nations.
Reviews and endorsements of the publication include:
“What an extraordinary gift! Emmanuel Katongole helps us see how God and the everyday, lament and hope, Scripture and prayer, church and public life all hold together. Born from Lament is about Africa, yet it speaks to the world. This is a landmark work by one of the most remarkable and transformational theological leaders of our time.” —PLT Contributor Mark R. Gornik, City Seminary of New York
“Katongole in this book redefines the method for doing public theology in Africa and the world church by giving voice to those on the margins. He argues that hope in Africa should be presented not simply as a wish or pious claims but as a light that one can discover in Africa by following stories of faith, courage, and the practice of hopeful living among many African Christians.” —Stan Chu Ilo, DePaul University
“A rich ethnographic and theological analysis. . . . Born from Lament is a refreshing political theology grounded in human practices rather than the sovereignty of the state and its rulers. This compelling invitation to rethink the theology of hope should be on everyone’s reading list.” —Elias Kifon Bongmba, Rice University
For more information on Katongole’s book, click here.
Emmanuel Katongole, a Catholic priest ordained by the Archdiocese of Kampala, has served as associate professor of theology and world Christianity at Duke University, where he was the founding co-director of the Duke Divinity School’s Center for Reconciliation. Katongole’s research interests focus on politics and violence in Africa, the theology of reconciliation, and Catholicism in the Global South. His other publications include Reconciling All Things: A Christian Vision for Justice, Peace and Healing (2008) and The Sacrifice of Africa: A Political Theology for Africa (2010).