An Econo-Theological Analysis of the Role and Contribution of the Church in the Zimbabwean Economy
The role of the church in economics remains conflictive. While the ecclesiastical body is convinced that it has the right to participate in economics, this position is viewed with disdain by politicians who think that the church should remain as a religious institution waiting to bandage the wounds...
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Africajournals
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Pharos Journal of Theology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_5_106_4__regular_issue_august.pdf |
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| author | Martin Mujinga |
| author_facet | Martin Mujinga |
| author_sort | Martin Mujinga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The role of the church in economics remains conflictive. While the ecclesiastical body is convinced that it has the right to participate in economics, this position is viewed with disdain by politicians who think that the church should remain as a religious institution waiting to bandage the wounds of those injured and maimed by politicians, to support those sidelined to the peripheries of the economy, provide for families and individuals who are displaced and forgotten in the economic cycles and encourage those suffering from hopelessness and despair. Using Zimbabwe as a case study, this paper sought to answer questions such as, Is the church’s involvement in economics a right or a privilege? How is the church contributing to the national economy? What are the underpinnings that drive the authority of the church to participate in economics? The paper begins by outlining the methodology and econo-theological conceptual framework. A brief analysis of the Zimbabwean economy followed this discussion. The paper argued that the church's participation in economics is effectively a right and not a privilege. These conclusions were drawn from the foundations of the church as a historical, sociological, religious, and economic entity, driving its mandate from Jesus Christ. The paper makes a novel contribution to academia by positioning the church as a partner in economics, rather than as a mere spectator that participates at the mercy of political powers. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c7f6877c9c9d4a7fbcc4d63ea17ad4f8 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2414-3324 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Africajournals |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharos Journal of Theology |
| spelling | doaj-art-c7f6877c9c9d4a7fbcc4d63ea17ad4f82025-07-28T05:12:16ZengAfricajournalsPharos Journal of Theology2414-33242025-08-011064https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.106.405An Econo-Theological Analysis of the Role and Contribution of the Church in the Zimbabwean EconomyMartin Mujinga0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8098-2515Research Associate/Fellow Research Institute of Religion and Theology-UNISAThe role of the church in economics remains conflictive. While the ecclesiastical body is convinced that it has the right to participate in economics, this position is viewed with disdain by politicians who think that the church should remain as a religious institution waiting to bandage the wounds of those injured and maimed by politicians, to support those sidelined to the peripheries of the economy, provide for families and individuals who are displaced and forgotten in the economic cycles and encourage those suffering from hopelessness and despair. Using Zimbabwe as a case study, this paper sought to answer questions such as, Is the church’s involvement in economics a right or a privilege? How is the church contributing to the national economy? What are the underpinnings that drive the authority of the church to participate in economics? The paper begins by outlining the methodology and econo-theological conceptual framework. A brief analysis of the Zimbabwean economy followed this discussion. The paper argued that the church's participation in economics is effectively a right and not a privilege. These conclusions were drawn from the foundations of the church as a historical, sociological, religious, and economic entity, driving its mandate from Jesus Christ. The paper makes a novel contribution to academia by positioning the church as a partner in economics, rather than as a mere spectator that participates at the mercy of political powers.https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_5_106_4__regular_issue_august.pdfparticipantsspectatorsecono-theologicaleconomicszimbabwe |
| spellingShingle | Martin Mujinga An Econo-Theological Analysis of the Role and Contribution of the Church in the Zimbabwean Economy Pharos Journal of Theology participants spectators econo-theological economics zimbabwe |
| title | An Econo-Theological Analysis of the Role and Contribution of the Church in the Zimbabwean Economy |
| title_full | An Econo-Theological Analysis of the Role and Contribution of the Church in the Zimbabwean Economy |
| title_fullStr | An Econo-Theological Analysis of the Role and Contribution of the Church in the Zimbabwean Economy |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Econo-Theological Analysis of the Role and Contribution of the Church in the Zimbabwean Economy |
| title_short | An Econo-Theological Analysis of the Role and Contribution of the Church in the Zimbabwean Economy |
| title_sort | econo theological analysis of the role and contribution of the church in the zimbabwean economy |
| topic | participants spectators econo-theological economics zimbabwe |
| url | https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_5_106_4__regular_issue_august.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT martinmujinga aneconotheologicalanalysisoftheroleandcontributionofthechurchinthezimbabweaneconomy AT martinmujinga econotheologicalanalysisoftheroleandcontributionofthechurchinthezimbabweaneconomy |