The Religions of South Africa: Chosen People and Promised Lands

On October 29, a Faculty Roundtable was held with Dr. Ronald Brown, Adjunct Professor in World Religions, entitled “The Religions of South Africa: Chosen People and Promised Lands.” The event was hosted by Dr. Thomas Walsh, President. Mika Deshotel, Associate Dean of Student Life, gave welcoming and closing remarks. 

Dr. Brown lived for extended periods of time in various countries around the world, and experienced most world religions firsthand. As recently as July and August of 2024, he spent time in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Dr. Brown shared his expertise on the religious landscape in South Africa, following the collapse of Apartheid. He discussed the effects of the Apartheid on society and religions. He presented on the evolution of chosen peoples and promised lands, which is central to the identity and various races in South Africa, as well as Jesus and his approach to chosen people and promised lands. “The idea that has really inspired the Africans and most of the religions in South Africa is the idea that certain people are chosen and they are given a promised land. […] This is a common pattern in the study of world religions.” Furthermore, Dr. Brown examined Nederlands Hervormde Kerk in South Africa, the emergence of African Zionist churches, and the spread of African Zionist churches. This religion “has become the prevailing religious identity of Southern Africa, which makes it very different from other places in Africa.” 

The presentation was followed by a stimulating Q&A session.

You can watch the recording here.

Please be on the lookout for future Faculty Roundtable events.