Critical discourse analysis of Allan Boesak’s public theology in conversation with the decolonisation debate in South Africa

Abstract: This research sought to answer the question: What can the public theology of Allan Boesak regarding the public role of churches in society contribute to the debate on decolonisation in South Africa? In other words, this research sought to contribute to research on the role of churches in society in the context of decolonisation, through engaging with Boesak’s public theology, particularly Boesak’s public theology prior to 1994, and bringing it into conversation with present-day case studies. The first case study focuses on issues of economic power and race relations between Indians and black-Africans, and the second deals with the unification debate between the Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa (URCSA) and the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC). Boesak’s public theology was studied based on his published works from 1970 to 1994. These texts were analysed using Critical Discourse Analysis as the method, with the concepts of decolonisation and Public theology forming the conceptual framework...M.A. (Biblical Studies