The role of Brueggemann’s ‘prophetic imagination’ in neo-prophetism and South African politics

Abstract

The relationship between Pentecostalism and politics in South Africa has been studied before, including the role of Pentecostal churches and clergy in the fight against apartheid and the advancement of democracy in the democratic dispensation. What remains under-researched is the role of prophecy within neo-prophetic churches in addressing the contemporary political discourses in the 21st century. To address this research gap, this article uses literature analysis, a qualitative research approach, and Brueggemann’s theory of “prophetic imagination”. Prophetic imagination argues that prophecy in politics should be able to critique the cultural and political structures in a specific context. The study found that prophetic imagination promises to confront the political powers that often perpetuate oppression and injustices among the poor and the marginalised. Prophetic imagination, as opposed to contemporary practices of prophecy, such as the prophecies of entertainment, materialism, oppression, and political affinity, is appropriate to deal with the current challenges of corruption, maladministration, and crime. In addition, prophetic imagination requires the church to be more critical, rather than conservative and inward-looking. This study makes an important contribution to the intersections of Pentecostalism and politics through the lens of prophetic imagination to examine neo-prophetic churches and the contemporary South African political discourses.