Study cohorts exist for those wanting a more in-depth program of theological and practical reflection in understanding and applying cross-centred, contextual justice to the South African context. In-depth study and reflection on Scripture will form a central tenet of this course, which will also include discussion of church history, the history of South Africa, sociological understandings of race and power, and reflections on relevant theologians or theological schools of thought.
This course will give the participant not only a robust theological understanding of Cross-Shaped Justice but also a practical framework for actually doing justice and mercy in contemporary South Africa.
What format does a cohort take?
Cohorts consist of ten contact sessions over the course of a year. Each unit consists of a monthly contact session taking place each month, supplemented by prepared readings, short preparation exercises, and course notes. Each year we run a number of different cohorts who meet up on different days and at different times suitable to each cohort with a maximum of 12 participants per cohort. Locations are Online and Cape Town at the moment.
The contact sessions themselves are a mixture of seminar, group discussions, presentations of assignments, and contextual learning exercises. A full set of electronic course notes will be provided for each participant.
Next Cohort Cycle:
Unfortunately, we will not be running a new cohort cycle in 2022. But will Instead be using the year to consolidate, restructure and rewrite where necessary our existing material. As an organisation we will be looking to make not only our cohorts but all our programmes and material more sustainable and widely available going forward.
How do I apply?
A. REGISTER by clicking the button below and filling in the registration form (please note there will be no new cohort cycle in 2022).
B. PAY your registration fee of R300 using the banking details found here.
The cohort will comprise ten units, each unit being the topic of one contact session.
Unit One: Locating Yourself in the Story:
This unit will focus on who we are and what we bring into the process of learning. None of us start a process of learning from a neutral position. All of our stories are a complex interaction of personal journey, inherited theology, contextual and historical formation, as well as personal spirituality and individuality. This unit will prepare us for the learning process by helping us recognise who we are and what we bring “into the room” with us. In particular how has your story influenced how you understand the gospel, church, theology, race and justice? This unit will also briefly examine the contextuality of our faith, theology and Scripture.
Unit Two: What is the Gospel?
This unit will examine the gospel as story proclaimed from all of Scripture and comprehensive in scope, encompassing all aspects of creation, individual and corporate, personal, and structural, political, economic, social, and environmental. The holistic gospel sees both evangelism and justice as integral and inseparable aspects to the goal of the redemption story – the restoration of shalom. This unit will also briefly examine the Exodus as paradigm for salvation and the nature of the Kingdom of God in the ministry of Jesus.
Unit Three: What is the Mission of the Church?
This unit will explore the concept of integral or holistic mission. In particular, we will probe the relationship between evangelism and social action in the life and mission of the church. Are they both equally valid components of God’s mission? Is there a priority for evangelism? What about the danger of the social gospel? Using the framework of “mission in creative tension” this unit will explore the role of the Great Commission, as well as the historical “Great Reversal” and the recovery of an evangelical social conscience.
Unit Four: Biblical Economics:
This unit will explore a biblical understanding of the roots of poverty as both relational and structural. Discuss what role God’s people ought to play in caring for the poor and the marginalized, and develop a brief biblical theology of economics, power, and wealth among God’s people. In particular, this unit will focus on the Law as a paradigm for Christian ethics, the warnings of the Old Testament Prophets, the poor in Luke-Acts and the writing of Paul.
Unit Five: The History of the South African Church and Inequality:
This unit explores the complex and inconsistent history of the church in South Africa, through on the one hand, silent complicity and active promotion of apartheid’s racial and economic oppression. Whilst on the other hand the providing the seeds of liberation and the struggle for inequality. This unit will examine how division and inequality has permeated her own structures and significantly shaped her mission to the world. Particular attention will be given to the role of evangelicals and apartheid.
Unit Six: Decolonisation: Christianity as a non-Western Faith
This unit will explore briefly explore some principle of contextualization and the contextual nature of the gospel. We will then explore further questions around contextualizing the gospel for Africa and how context affects how we read the Bible and formulate our theology? What is a colonising theology? What is decolonisation and does our theology need to be decolonised? Does the Bible itself need to be decolonised? What might a non-Western or decolonised faith look like?
Unit Seven: Culture, Race and Ethnicity in the Bible
This unit will explore a biblical understanding of the differences between race, culture, and ethnicity. Including a biblical study of diversity and division; giving particular attention to the concept of the Image of God, unity in diversity, and the one new humanity found in the work of Christ. This unit will also raise questions around the ethnicity or “race” of the characters found in the biblical record and in church history.
Unit Eight: Race, Racism and the Church
This unit will examine the origins of race as a historical and sociological phenomenon. Particular focus will be given to the exploration of race as a social construct used to empower and enrich and justify slavery. What is racism and how has it been used in order to construct a racialized society and racialized identities? In what way have our churches and theologies been racialized – including examination of social dynamics in multi-racial churches. This unit will briefly explore what biological foundations exist for the concept of race, as well as the development of scientific racism and eugenics. Finally, this unit will touch on concepts such as anti-racism, critical race theory, and white privilege
Unit Nine: Reconciliation and Restitution:
This unit will explore a biblical understanding of reconciliation and restitution as well as the contextual implications for us today within the South African context. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between repentance, restitution, and reconciliation, and the importance and role of lament in the process of reconciliation and healing.
Unit Ten: A Spirituality for the Road:
This final unit will explore the cultivation of a spirituality that can sustain the work of justice. This unit will contain a brief introduction to the concept of prophetic imagination, a process shaped by Scripture and context which opens up our imagination to the possibility of a different world, shaped by God’s vision for the world. This unit will also invite participants to engage in their own process of prophetic imagination. This unit will also outline some disciplines and actions to enable us to pursue justice in our everyday lives.
What does it cost?
The cohort cost for 2022 is R4500 (including deposit) and payable in 4 installments.
A Registration Fee of R300 is payable on registration and guarantees your place in the cohort.
What previous participants have said:
It is with real delight that I commend the Isiphambano Study Cohort, which I had the opportunity to partake in this year. I have so appreciated being exposed to outstanding scholarship regarding the history and mission of the church and learning about perspectives of significant evangelical leaders in the ‘two thirds’ world. What was even more valuable was engaging with this material in a diverse group of men and women from different churches across the city. These monthly learning moments were facilitated with skill and grace and the opportunity to reflect on what my theology and practice is in relation to the biblical call for cross-centered and contextual justice has been invaluable.
Leigh Berg, 2018 Participant
“The Isiphambano Cohort is a phenomenal space to grapple and grow Theologically with the issue of Justice. The yearlong cohort has helped me fill in some of the blinds spots I have around this critical issue in our time, and it has also informed the way I do theology. I would encourage anyone seeking to grapple and develop a contextual ministry philosophy to be a part of this.”
Grant Porthen, 2018 Participant
“The cohort has introduced me to work of remarkable, Southern Hemisphere-based evangelical leaders like Samuel Escobar, Ruth Padilla Du Borst and Rene Padilla. Prior to joining the cohort i had never heard these names. I’m thankful to have been exposed to their work in the justice arena. The prescribed readings in the cohort are engaging and challenging and helps to sharpen my theological perspectives on justice.”
Jeremy Koeries
International Lead Team and South Africa Country Leader, J-Life Africa
“The Isiphambano Centre for Biblical Justice is providing a much-needed voice in the justice arena. Through the Study Cohort, I have learned essential paradigms and frameworks that equip me to be faithful to God’s text and the context of South Africa. Through the cohort, a diverse group of South Africans have been grappling and discussing rich theology. This cohort creates an environment that makes this a heart journey, shaped by the Word. I recommend this cohort to anyone who wants to ensure that the cross is at the centre of their passion and practice of justice.”
“The Study Cohort has been an amazing engagement as we met as Christians of different churches. Both the readings and group discussions cut to the core of one’s everyday life experiences on matters of justice. Lessons learnt in the study cohorts compel you to reflect deeply on how far the church (your church) is dealing with matters of justice in our times. It’s sad to admit that we still lack behind as we did pre-democracy in SA. I encourage every maturing Christian to take part in such studies. They will sharpen your everyday Christian living in our times.”
Richard Lundie
Common Good, 2018 Participant
Being part of the Isiphambano cohort sessions were (for me) a definite life changing experience. The cohort was an open and comfortable space to interrogate, discuss and evaluate how we as God’s people, His church, His Kingdom; understand His justice and righteousness. The readings and discussions helped not only reflect on our church, societal or political structures and systems; they decanted deep self-reflections. I believe the cohort was my first step in living an articulate life of God’s justice and love.
Ulibo Maake, 2019 Cohort Participant
Contact:
Any queries or further questions please contact admin@isiphambano.com
