htp://www.ve.org.za Open Access Verbum et Ecclesia ISSN: (Online) 2074-7705, (Print) 1609-9982 Page 1 of 7 Original Research Read online: Scan this QR code with your smart phone or mobile device to read online. Author: Kelebogile T. Resane 1 Afliaton: 1 Department of Historical and Constructve Theology, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa Corresponding author: Kelebogile Resane, resanekt@ufs.ac.za Dates: Received: 03 May 2019 Accepted: 01 Aug. 2019 Published: 25 Nov. 2019 How to cite this artcle: Resane, K.T., 2019, ‘Response of public theology to the voices of the voiceless in pluralistc South Africa’, Verbum et Ecclesia 40(1), a2006. htps://doi.org/ 10.4102/ve.v40i1.2006 Copyright: © 2019. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creatve Commons Atributon License. Introducton Public theology is always public, speaking in public places and addressing the public issues for the sake or benefit of the public interest. After 1994, South Africa, as a new democratic state, had to reposition herself for the new dispensation that is underlined by inclusivism, secularism, multiculturalism and unitarism. Discrimination based on race, colour, sexuality and ethnicism had to be repealed or annulled in all constitutional dictates. It was accepted that societal diversity is a motif in the multicultural composition of the citizenry. A theory that advocates a unified and centralised system of government had to be explored. These steps were inevitable as diversity in all its forms was a reality on the socio-religious landscape. Social illnesses bred by prejudices were abundant and became a concern for those in the public service hierarchy. The country was and still is engulfed with racism, bigotry, sexism and economic imbalances. The pluralistic ideology takes a lead in formulating public policies and the statutory laws. The majority of the ruling party (African National Congress) ensured that some bills are passed to become the acts that make up the constitutional legitimacy. Two examples to be cited to this effect include Termination of Pregnancy Act (1996), which governs abortion, and Civil Union Act (2006), which legalised same- sex marriages. These and some legislations are regarded by the religious part of the populace as theologically erroneous and biblically blasphemous. The politics of power (realpolitik) are elevated, while the voices of the masses (vox populi) are relegated. It is this situation that has created the need for the emergence of vociferous public theology. Theological discourse is what public theology does to create and usher in an ideal ambience where citizens feel safe. That is the rationale behind Kusmierz and Cochrane’s (2013) assertion that: Theological discourse is governed by new motifs: reconstruction, democratisation and social transformation shape the agenda, while ‘the public’ and civil society have been newly identified as relevant to the church. (p. 85) The reality faced by theology in South Africa is that national affairs had taken a different turn. Christian theology is no more protected by the state. Christian theology is suffering the This article identifies public theology as reflective endeavours and tasks of the Christian community seeking to address the societal ills and concerns. The aim of public theology is to bring hope to the culture that is increasingly cynical about common human future. The historical sketch of South Africa since 1994 as a secular state helps to understand the impact of pluralistic ideology in formulating the laws of the land. In many cases, these laws are at loggerhead with the needs of the masses who become unheard and unseen. The current status quo in hierarchies of societies had become a concern to be addressed from theological perspectives. Realpolitik had become elevated and vox populi become relegated. It is herein argued that the Christian faith in South Africa is silenced by the powers of secularism and majoritarianism within the civil structures. The role of public theology is explored and expanded to include uniqueness, prophetic role, critical role and public initiatives that lift up the dignity of humanity in the face of pluralistic influences. The call is made for theology to enter the journey of transition from stoical passiveness towards communal, formative, critical and public activism as demonstration of the love of Christ incarnate. Parochialism and defeatism are not the ideal options for the public theology. As an epistemological discipline, an appeal is made for theology to become significantly and visibly public in civil matters despite the pluralistic penchants and predilections. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article challenges public theology to take a lead in addressing human misery in pluralistic society of South Africa. Keywords: politics; public; theology; prophetic; power; voice; discourse; pluralism; secularism. Response of public theology to the voices of the voiceless in pluralistc South Africa Read online: Scan this QR code with your smart phone or mobile device to read online.