Namibia Land Of Tears Land Of Promise

The author explores the African symbiosis of religion and politics in Namibia. The first chapter describes the collision between the land's first settlers, the Africans, and its second settlers, the Eiropean. Its moral consequence was a horrifying genocide. The second chapter surveys the mix of religion and politics that determined the character of both Africans and Europeans over several generations. European missionaries openly sought to transform the substance of African culture by replacing traditional religions with the biblical faith. The third chapter outlines the process by which a distinctly Namibian ethic has come into being. Unaffected by sectarian tradition that would sharply separate the religious community from the sociaopolitical order, the leadership of the churches found it possible to discern the presence of a divine call for civil justice in worldly affairs. (H221).

Here ten Lutheran theologians explore Lutheran emphases, themes, and approaches to offer their account of Christian ethics as a way of life in today's world. Writing in dialogue, they raise foundational concerns of biblical and theological sources and norms, of Christian freedom and responsibility, of call and social witness, of justice and formation in prayer. Then in a lively "Table Talk" the participants discuss and debate the tradition's insights and oversights and show how it might illumine today's burning ethical issues, such as homosexuality.

The collection contains primary material from Swapo and about Swapo dating from the 1960s to 1990. It contains the history of Swapo and the Namibian liberation struggle.

In the five hundred years since the publication of Martin Luther's Ninety- Five Theses, a rich set of traditions have grown up around that action and the subsequent events of the Reformation. This up-to-date dictionary by leading theologians and church historians covers Luther's life and thought, key figures of his time, and the various traditions he continues to influence. Prominent scholars of the history of Lutheran traditions have brought together experts in church history representing a variety of Christian perspectives to offer a major, cutting-edge reference work. Containing nearly six hundred articles, this dictionary provides a comprehensive overview of Luther's life and work and the traditions emanating from the Wittenberg Reformation. It traces the history, theology, and practices of the global Lutheran movement, covering significant figures, events, theological writings and ideas, denominational subgroups, and congregational practices that have constituted the Lutheran tradition from the Reformation to the present day.

The Reformation of the 16th century was a complex and multifaceted political, social, cultural, and religious process. Most historians agree, however, that in the framework of this process it was the religious and theological efforts to reform and renew the late medieval church—decadent and irrelevant in many ways—that were the initiating forces that set a broad historical movement in motion. Among these reforming religious and theological forces, the Lutheran reform movement was the most important and influential one. It was the historical impact of the theological genius of the Wittenberg professor Martin Luther (1483-1546) that profoundly changed and shaped the face of Europe and beyond. Today, Lutheranism has become a worldwide communion of churches that stretches from Germany to Siberia, Papua New Guinea, Madagascar, and Surinam. The second edition of the Historical Dictionary of Lutheranism presents information on major theological issues, historical developments of Lutheranism worldwide, Lutheran ecumenical and missionary involvement and activities, worship and liturgy, spirituality, social ethics, inter-religious and Jewish relations, Lutheranism and the arts, theology, and important representatives of Lutheranism. This is done through a detailed chronology, an introductory essay, an appendix of Lutheran Churches, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Lutheranism.

This indispensable tool provides a breadth and depth of resources for anyone interested in understanding the changing and complex reality that is Africa today. To many outside the continent, Africa appears to be remote and inaccessible. But this doesn't have to be so. The print and audiovisual resources gathered together in this directory demonstrate that there are many ways to access this huge and diverse continent.

The book contains papers which were presented at a conference held from 11 to 13 September 2000. Some of the topics covered includes: Executive power; Traditional Authorities; International environment, Judiciary, Citizenship, Press Freedom, Land, HIV/AIDS, Gender and Education.

Namibia is one of the largest African countries, bigger than France or Texas. It became a German protectorate in 1884, but from 1919 onwards was administered by South Africa. The first democratically elected government took office in 1989, leading a free Namibia into the 1990s. This volume is a fully revised and updated edition of the original volume which was published in 1984.