Understanding sin in Zairian society from the perspective of Reinhold Niebuhr's theology

Abstract

This thesis sought to explore the nature of sin in society in order to bring people, particularly the state and the Church, to find an appropriate remedy. The main problem is: How can people deal realistically with sin in society in order to bring more human dignity in society. Out of this, five specific problems have been identified: 1. How do people struggle against sin in society, particularly in Zaire? 2. What is the nature of sin which characterizes the Zaïrian society? 3. What solutions may be proposed for the identification of sin in Zaïrian society? 4. What is the contribution of the Church in the search for strategies of overcoming sin? 5. How can the state and people integratively take up activities designed to contribute to the upliftment of human dignity? The study dealt with the problem of identification of the nature of sin and how to curb sin in Zaïrian society to in order to cultivate better human dignity. An understanding of sin in Zaïrian social structures is necessary for one to realize the dehumanizing power of sin, and thereby find means of struggling against such power. Based on Reinhold Niebuhr's thought, the state has an important role to play in the effort to combat sin, and the Church should also be involved in such endeavor. On the one hand, the state should undertake programs and establish structures which can promote human dignity. On the other hand, the Church should collaborate with the state by showing interest in social issues, especially by translating its faith in the gospel into actions. This thesis used the descriptive-qualitative and analytical methods. First, it described the situation of Zaïre which it subsequently analyzed in order to discover the major features and their impact on the living conditions of the great masses of population. Thirdly, Reinhold Niebuhr’s theology of sin was described. This theology has served as the model through which the Zaïrian experience is analyzed to conceptualize theologically the major sin which characterize that reality. In other words, Reinhold Niebuhr’s concept of sin was applied on the situation of Zaïre in order to identify the nature of sin in Zaïrian social structures. The significance of the findings from the basis of the recommendations for the Church to undertake, e.g. specific actions into which its faith in the gospel is translated. In collaboration with the Church, the state can organize social reforms that will lead to the upliftment of human dignity. From this analysis of the nature of sin, two kinds of solutions have been proposed: 1. The state should reform t he structures and the law must be justly applied on the economic policies and political systems. 2. Given that the Church works for human dignity by liberating human beings from the enslavement of sin, the Church must be concerned with the social, political and economic issues. In answering the questions raised in the problem, the following statements are put forth as conclusion of this study: 1. The situation of suffering which prevails in Zaïre indicates that sin in the social structures should be restrained if it could not be completely overcome. 2. That the restraint of sin would enable the Zaïrian society to move towards a society that honors a higher form of human dignity.