The Plight of "Theology" in South African Academia

In a recent email from Darryl Meekins, director of Baptist Bible College, he reports on a conference recently held for Theological Educators...

Thirteen theological societies in South Africa gathered at a conference, which convened in June at the University of Stellenbosch (a city east of Cape Town). Some 350 scholars were present and approximately 200 presentations were made. Although there were a few shining lights in the darkness, the state and plight of "theology" in academia was all too clear. By and large, those present have lost faith that the Scriptures are the Word of God. There were presentations by a Sangoma (an African shaman), a Hindu, and a radical Feminist, among others,. The goal of theology has changed from training pastors and evangelists to raising up "agents for social change". One entire plenary session explored the origin of religion (assuming it is a man-made phenomenon) in terms of "dog psychology". Another plenary speaker declared that the cross is a symbol of God's limited strength because "He was unable to save Jesus from crucifixion". The only "religion" that was maligned, and for which the majority of speakers expressed a lack of tolerance, was toward anyone who maintains faith in the inerrancy and authority of Scripture. For one delegate, Dr Kevin Smith, "this underlined once again the fact that we live in an age that is hostile to the exclusive claims of Christ that are recorded in the sacred pages of Scripture. It also drove home once again the importance of unshakable faith in the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13), and sound evangelical approaches to interpretation that allow the original Author's intent to shine through the pages of Scripture, via us as channels and agents of truth, into the darkness of this present age."

Please continue to pray for the light and truth of Christ to penetrate and expose people to the power of God's Word.  2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."  The Word of God points us to Christ, who is the focal point of the Bible, of all of history and the end times as well.  We should pray that the influence of false teachers and cults will be trumped by the light and truth of the Word of God.  Colossians 2:6-8 tells us, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Pray that the Lord will place us in ministry with BBC and others in Durban to effectively strengthen the brothers and sisters in Christ there.   We intend to work with the Baptist Bible College to prepare them for church planting ministry to effect Durban, all of South Africa and potentially the 10/40 window nations that are more resistant to American missionaries, but possibly have a more open door to other nationalities coming in from South Africa.