Power and vulnerability: Re-reading Mark 6:14–29 in the light of political violence in Zimbabwe
HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Power and vulnerability: Re-reading Mark 6:14–29 in the light of political violence in Zimbabwe | |
| Creator | Chibango, Conrad Mgovo, Henerieta | |
| Description | This article examined the story of the beheading of John the Baptist according to the Gospel of Mark (6:14–29) and drew lessons for the situation of politically motivated violence perpetrated by the youth in Zimbabwe. Politically motivated violence in Zimbabwe is a well-documented problem that negatively impacts on human rights. The article used the historical-critical method in its re-reading of the text in question and the ‘youth bulge theory’ as theoretical framework. Documentary analysis was employed to solicit data from various reports, documents and the Internet. Results showed that it was mostly the poor and unemployed youth who engaged in acts of politically motivated violence and did so on behalf of political parties and leaders. Based on these findings, it is argued that just as both Herod and Herodias abused their power by manipulating the daughter of Herodias in their plot to eliminate John the Baptist, so did powerful Zimbabwean politicians and leaders manipulate economically and socially vulnerable youth for their own political expediency.Contribution: Drawing from Mark 6:14–29, this article presents an application of the New Testament text of Mark 6:14–29 to the politically motivated violence in Zimbabwe in order to promote responsible leadership for a peaceful and tolerant Zimbabwean society. It also contributes to the argument that New Testament texts are intrinsically political documents, which scholars should try to unpack. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2023-12-22 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/hts.v79i4.8994 | |
| Source | HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies; Vol 79, No 4 (2023); 7 pages 2072-8050 0259-9422 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/8994/26133
https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/8994/26134
https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/8994/26135
https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/8994/26136
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