How does Evangelism relate to social action in the theologies of Michael Cassidy and Albert Nolan?
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Date
1996
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Abstract
Michael Cassidy and Albert Nolan both develop their understanding of evangelism and social
action within the context of the struggle for a democratic South Africa. This understanding is
determined by their own personal contexts and their social analysis of the South African
situation. Within these contexts they develop their views of sin and salvation. These underlying
issues, contexts and analyses are crucial to and part of their understanding of the relationship
between evangelism and social action.
This thesis sets out to consider the relationship between evangelism and social action in their
theologies by considering the underlying issues that determine this relationship, before finally
defining the exact nature ofthis relationship. It considers each theology individually first as each
has developed over time in context and needs to be seen as a unified whole as it relates to the .
issue of the relationship between evangelism and social action. It then compares their views with
each other with insights from other views.
Michael Cassidy and Albert Nolan both see sin and hence salvation as personal and social, but
Nolan understands these concepts as primarily social. Hence his understanding ofevangelism and
social action expressed in evangelization is primarily social. It sees them relating in
evangelization in an integrated, holistic way. However, in practice his emphasis on the need to
take sides in the struggle and on salvation as primarily in and through the struggle leads to
salvation becoming sometimes indistinguishable from human liberation. Thus evangelization also
sometimes becomes indistinguishable from the struggle. Cassidy sees these concepts as firstly
spiritual and then social and this determines his understanding of the relationship between
evangelism and social action. He emphasises these as transforming every level of human
relationships, but starting with a right relationship with God.
Cassidy achieves a more balanced Evangelical view of partnership in mission but with an
emphasis on evangelism and Nolan a somewhat more holistic liberationist theological view of
an integrated relationship between evangelism and social action in evangelization but with an
emphasis on social action.
Description
Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1996.
Keywords
Evangelistic work--South Africa., Church and social problems--South Africa., Social change., Christianity--South Africa., Nolan, Albert--Theology., Cassidy, Charles Michael Ardagh, 1936- --Theology., Evangelistic work--Africa, Southern., Theses--Theology.