Religion and Resistance Politics in South Africa - by Lyn S Graybill (Hardcover)

About the Book

This study focuses on Christianity and black nationalism in South Africa and looks at four individuals--Albert Lutuli, Robert Sobukwe, Steve Biko, and Desmond Tutu--to see how each leader's Christian beliefs influenced the political strategy he pursued. Just as theology (Calvinism) was significant in the formulation of Afrikaner nationalism, so too has theology, variously interpreted, been instrumental in the articulation of African nationalism. The African National Congress (ANC), the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC), the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM), and the United Democratic Front (UDF) all relied on a Christian perspective and vocabulary to articulate the goals of black nationalism. By tracing this religious thread through each of these various resistance movements, the author has made a fascinating contribution to the literature of comparative politics, African studies, and the sociology of religion.

Book Synopsis

This study focuses on Christianity and black nationalism in South Africa and looks at four individuals--Albert Lutuli, Robert Sobukwe, Steve Biko, and Desmond Tutu--to see how each leader's Christian beliefs influenced the political strategy he pursued. Just as theology (Calvinism) was significant in the formulation of Afrikaner nationalism, so too has theology, variously interpreted, been instrumental in the articulation of African nationalism. The African National Congress (ANC), the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC), the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM), and the United Democratic Front (UDF) all relied on a Christian perspective and vocabulary to articulate the goals of black nationalism. By tracing this religious thread through each of these various resistance movements, the author has made a fascinating contribution to the literature of comparative politics, African studies, and the sociology of religion.

Review Quotes

"[Graybill] has demonstrated the role of Christianity in providing a moral vision which transcended different ideological perspectives within African nationalism in a common task of resisting evil. She has not only made a significant contribution to South African studies, but also to the growing international debate about the role of religion in public life."- John W. De Gruchy Robert Selby Taylor Professor of Christian Studies University of Cape Town

"Graybill has deepened our knowledge of South Africa's black political culture....She has made an important contribution to our understanding of the interface between religion and politics in the struggle against apartheid."- Professor Peter Walshe University of Notre Dame, Indiana

"This exceptionally well-written volume illustrates the crucial, but largely overlooked role that religion has played in advancing social change in South Africa. In so doing, it helps to fill a significant gap in the open literature."-Dr. Douglas M. Johnston, coeditor and principal author of Religion, The Missing Dimension of Statecraft

"With unusual insight, [Graybill] demonstrates that...religion was the unbreakable thread' in South African resistance politics."- Marjorie Hope and James Young coauthors of The South African Churches in a Revolutionary Situation

?[A] well-written introduction to resistance politics in South Africa and is well designed for newcomers to this important subject.?-Choice

?[F]ills an important gap in research literature on South Africa. The role of religious faith and political action, a topic which has been largely ignored by serious scholars, is the theme of this monograph, and in it, the author reveals how important the former has been to the latter....The organization is straighforward--an introduction; four well-organized and thought-provoking chapters....[A]nd a conclusion which actually does some real summarizing related to the central theme of the book. The prose is easy to read; the sub-headings are both useful and accurate; ideas are well-documented and explained clearly; the index is quite extensive for such a short work; and the bibliography is lengthy and complete for the period under discussion. In short, it is a pleasure to read.?-CJAS

"ÝA¨ well-written introduction to resistance politics in South Africa and is well designed for newcomers to this important subject."-Choice

"ÝF¨ills an important gap in research literature on South Africa. The role of religious faith and political action, a topic which has been largely ignored by serious scholars, is the theme of this monograph, and in it, the author reveals how important the former has been to the latter....The organization is straighforward--an introduction; four well-organized and thought-provoking chapters....ÝA¨nd a conclusion which actually does some real summarizing related to the central theme of the book. The prose is easy to read; the sub-headings are both useful and accurate; ideas are well-documented and explained clearly; the index is quite extensive for such a short work; and the bibliography is lengthy and complete for the period under discussion. In short, it is a pleasure to read."-CJAS

"[A] well-written introduction to resistance politics in South Africa and is well designed for newcomers to this important subject."-Choice

"[F]ills an important gap in research literature on South Africa. The role of religious faith and political action, a topic which has been largely ignored by serious scholars, is the theme of this monograph, and in it, the author reveals how important the former has been to the latter....The organization is straighforward--an introduction; four well-organized and thought-provoking chapters....[A]nd a conclusion which actually does some real summarizing related to the central theme of the book. The prose is easy to read; the sub-headings are both useful and accurate; ideas are well-documented and explained clearly; the index is quite extensive for such a short work; and the bibliography is lengthy and complete for the period under discussion. In short, it is a pleasure to read."-CJAS

About the Author

LYN S. GRAYBILL currently teaches African Politics in the Department of Government and Foreign Affairs at the University of Virginia. She holds degrees from the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia.