Contemporary political engagement - prophetic and Pauline perspectives

Abstract

Discourse on prophetism in its widest sense, and on politics, must necessarily take into account all prophetic voices in the Old and New Testament together with the diverse forms of government exercised. The latter have direct bearing on political activity, given the existent wide spectrum ranging from tyranny to liberalism. Regardless of the social, economic and political milieu of a country, whether European or non-European, an effective spirit of prophetism is a sine qua non if engagement in the polis is to be steered more securely in the direction of true human development. Zealot activity in the New Testament, the despotic setting of Nero in Rome that transpires through New Testament writings such as Mark’s Gospel or the Book of Revelation, or the social setting of Cassiodorus in the 6th century are all cases in point. [Excerpt}