During the past week it has been a pleasure to welcome to Malawi colleagues from a diversity of contexts who are working, as we are, on preparing an MTh programme that focuses on the economy of life. Much of our time had to be spent on rather technical issues about how to develop and deliver our collaboration.
The day when the event came to life was when our visitors came to the ZTU campus for an outdoor seminar with all faculty and students. This was when we had the opportunity to remember the motivation behind all the work on the nuts and bolts.
Revelation Velunta, a New Testament scholar from the Philippines, reminded us that theology is a matter of imagination. Many good things that are realities today were once a matter of imagination. We should therefore be ready to be stretched by our theological vision so that we can imagine new things. Another world is possible!
Lilian Siwila, a systematic theologian from Zambia, made a passionate plea for women to play a full part in theological education. This is something that has started but has much further to go. Prof Siwila looked beyond gender equality towards a true partnership of women and men.
The final contributor was Roderick Hewitt, a University President from Jamaica. He reminded us of forebears who took a prophetic stance in relation to the injustices of their time, at great cost to themselves. The struggle for human dignity is a reality in today’s world and our theology needs to be a source of freedom to those who find themselves being oppressed.
It was an invigorating occasion, and our students return to their regular classes inspired by the opportunity to be part of an international seminar.
Thinking Mission Blog 