Unisa Press
Christianity and the Modernization of South Africa
A Documentary History
| Author: | John de Gruchy |
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| Published: | October 13, 2009 |
| ISBN: | 9781868884407 |
| Contact: |
To buy the book contact UNISA Press on +27 (0) 12 429 3515/3448 |
| How to buy: |
To buy the book contact UNISA Press on +27 (0) 12 429 3515/3448 |
| This book is not available in electronic format |
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About the book
Rather than providing a mere chronological account of events and devoting equal space to various denominations, John de Gruchy sets out to map and reflect the fact that some churches and Christian traditions have been far more influential in shaping South African society than others.
Working from some 3 500 primary documents relevant to understanding the role of Christianity in forming South Africa, dating from the mid-seventeenth century, the author offers an introduction to the final three decades of the nineteenth century, and the beginnings of modernisation. During this time the country was transformed from a primarily rural and traditional society into one which was increasingly urban, industrial and capitalist.
This was also a moment of transition for Christian missionary endeavour and the formation of the colonial churches.
This volume sets out not to explore the various theologies which have emerged in this period, but rather to consider the way in which theology functioned in the construction of modern South Africa.