The prologue of John: A conceptual framework for African public theological discourse

Abstract

One of the recurring concerns in public theology is the possibility of arriving at a normative methodology. Some are of the opinion that a normative methodology is not necessary, while others think it matters and have proposed normative methodologies of their own. Furthermore, some think it matters but the nature of “public” and “theology” are too diverse to have a normative method since each context has rights to its preferred methodology. Be that as it may, having a methodology requires a known goal. Many public theologians agree, the goal of public theology is the transformative progress of the society from where it presently is to where it should be, according to God’s standard. In other words, the goal of public theology is the same as the goal of Christian theology (Moltmann 1999). Over the history of the Church, the concept of the Word of God becoming flesh (Logos incarnation) has had a major impact on the self-understanding of Christianity. Therefore, this study revisits the prologue of John where the incarnation is explicitly stated. Taking its cue from the impact it has had on Christian theology in general, the aim of such revisit is to investigate the passage and see what hope it provides in an attempt to propose a normative methodology for doing public theology, particularly in Africa. This undertaking assumes that the prologue of John is significant for the entire enterprise of Christian theology, and so applies it to public theology. This study assumes as important that there is an anchor for the goal of public theology. African public theology needs a normative method. This paper uses a literary methodology and engages literature on public theology, in dialogue with an exegetical analysis of the prologue of John (1:1–18). It argues strongly that God’s invasion of human history in the incarnation gives an enduring hermeneutical springboard, a defining model for carrying out the goal of public theology in a normative fashion.