Abstract:
The history of Zimbabwe is characterised by a series of challenges, which, at different turning
points, manifested themselves through violent conflicts, since its independence in 1980. Faced
with the challenges associated with violence, socio-political, economic and religious conflicts,
civil unrest and polarisation of the Zimbabwean society from 2008 to 2017, this article discusses
the relevance and applicability of Jesus’ ethics with special focus on the Matthean Jesus and
forgiveness in a bid to bring national healing, peace and reconciliation. The article stresses that the
application of Matthean Jesus’ ethics is vital for the Zimbabwean society because it paves way for
peace, healing and reconciliation. Among other factors, the Matthean Jesus’ ethics call for victims
of political violence to unconditionally extend forgiveness to their offenders as demonstrated by
the Matthean Jesus who forgave mankind’s sins through his sacrificial death on the cross. Over
and above that, there should be an honest implementation of justice and truth telling by the
Zimbabwean government through willingness and commitment to institute the rule of law and
cab all forms of lawlessness. Moreover, it is imperative that there should be a formation of an
independent truth, justice and reconciliation commission to deal with truth telling,
acknowledgement of past wrongs, and restorative and transitional justice issues in Zimbabwe.
Description:
Dr Chamburuka is
participating in the research
project ‘Hermeneutics and
Exegesis’ directed by Prof.
Dr Ernest van Eck, Department
of New Testament and Related
Literature, Faculty of Theology
and Religion, University of
Pretoria.
This article represents a reworked version of aspects from the PhD-thesis of Sheila Chamburuka, titled ‘Matthean Jesus and national
healing, peace and reconciliation in Zimbabwe: 2008–2017,’ in the Department of New Testament and Related Literature, Faculty of
Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria, with Prof Dr. Ernest van Eck as supervisor.
