The SST-RISC webinar event held on 28 April 2023.
On 28th April 2023, Research Indigenous Studies and Christianity Network (RISC) partnered with Society for the Study of Theology (SST) and hosted a webinar on “Indigenous Theology: Prospects and Challenges” talk by Dr. Randy Woodley, a renowned Cherokee activist, poet, and teacher in the field of Indigenous and intercultural studies, theology, ecology, and missiology. Featuring responses by Elilo Ezung (University of Edinburgh), Dr. Elia Manggang (University of Manchester), and Axolile Qina (University of Edinburgh).
Dr. Woodley highlighted his book, Indigenous Theology and the Western Worldview: A Decolonized Approach to Christian Doctrine, which is the outcome of a series of three lectures and an interview called the Hayward Lectures 2019. He attempts to decolonize the Christian doctrines by addressing the dominant worldview of those doctrines, namely, the Western Worldview. Such a worldview according to him is a failure and fallacy embedded in the Empire worldviews of Greek, Romans, British, and now religiously practiced by the Americans of hierarchy and dualism permeating the system of thoughts. He engages the Indigenous theology in conversation with the Western approaches and draws attention to creation-centeredness rather than human-centeredness theology as the worldview true to the Christian faith traditions.
Elilo Ezung highlights the wisdom keepers; women, the value of text; translations, oral traditions, and reparations. Elia Manggang emphasizes, along with the essentiality of the sacredness of land, the need to incorporate the sacredness of water, which constitutes the larger parts of our world. Hence, an inclusive planetary worldview. And Axolile Qina highlights the decolonization of education in light of the South African context. And the challenges to the accessibility of indigenous theologies. Dr. Woodley affirms “We are all born to be indigenous” which he distinguishes with the capital “I”; “Indigenous” and concludes with an encouragement “To Be Courageous” in imagination and dreaming the holistic creation resounding affirmation of all lives.
By Kumrila Mongzar, PhD student, Claremont School of Theology, CA
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