A German reformed theologian Jurgen Moltmann in his book The Trinity and the Kingdom of God while addressing the problem of political Monotheism posses to us an incredible question. What is the relationship between the religious ideas of any given era and the political constitution of its societies? Moltmann seems to ask at least from my personal perspective the question of whether biblical monotheism goes hand in hand with the democratic form of government embraced in the west or is it the instigator of intolerance and conflict in a democratic system that wholly embraces pluralism?
George Forell argues that the idea of theocracy is pretty old one that could be traced way back into the first three centuries among the martyrs and Christian apologist during the persecution period. According to him Christian monotheism was a remedy taken to combat polytheism practised by the heathens. He goes on to say that believing in one God brings peace, in the diverse and competitive world of gods. Tertullian while condemning the Marcionites who were dualist in their theology argued that you can not separate the law and the gospel and still contend with diversity of gods.
In the recent years we have witnessed a resurgence of Tertullian kind of thinking especial y in the Islamic world as people fight to enforce Sharia. They are strongly demanding a ‘restoration’ of faith in their every day’s life while still holding secular-humanist agendas. Whether we understand or agree to their search, despair or frustrations would be a topic for another day.
Now bringing Kenya into the scene and trying to make sense of everything is a hard nut to crack.
First I would like to distance myself from the thinking that democracy at least as we know it today is a pure form of Christian government and hence the guts to try and explore other alternatives. Some have argued that indeed democracy is not the perfect system but closest to what would be ideal, a stand I am willing to think about at least for now.
This year Kenya will be celebrating her 50th birthday since independence. For sure we have made huge steps in areas of governance, health and education just to mention a few. At least for several decades we had retained the title as the hub of peace in the Central, East and the horn of Africa until few years ago. As Paul writes to Galatians asking…..You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? The same could be asked of us as Kenyans, from peace loving communities into hostile, blood-letting individuals. Tribalism, nepotism, corruption the list is endless are news that have continued to raise our news anchors from one glory to another because of their constant follow-up on them. Oh how I wish this was due to something else!
Up to this point you are probably asking where is this man headed to. Here I am. As the previous theologians tried to solve the problem of their days by identifying the root -cause and suggesting the best medicinal prescription I have one for Kenya too. I will not suggest that we have an all-Christian government ---Zambia tried and was a total fail.
People who are left to protect and ensure smooth running of societies like police are becoming more corrupt each day. The law makers are known to make it and mutilate it with mutiny at the same time. The custodians of the law no longer cares of what it means to uphold it. A society that prided itself of dignity, peace and splendour is at the brink of collapse.
I know it sound very wrong and unbiblical and especially coming from a Christian to think of dictatorship with a positive lense leave alone recommending it as a possible solution. How else would you keep-off scavengers, looters and destroyers from public scoffers who do it in the daylight, out in the public glare? How can you detach public and private appointments from tribal affiliations? This among a long list of other menaces even with the pride of having one of the best constitution South of Sahara or should I say in the continent still rages on.
By suggesting dictatorship as the alternative governance I will also be inviting a change both to the term and its guiding principles. In Kenya not all understand what democracy is about and even those that do, care not a little bit in its implementation. When you are caught squandering public money we let go one of your hands and it should be clear it is your right hand that takes the journey, when a public official is implicated in ‘serious’ scandal a hand goes too!
How else can we bring salvation to our nation really?
I totally agree with it....but Jusus though Galatians were foolish on a very light note..hehe!
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