Abstract:
In this article, Schleiermacher’s idea of a divine service as mitteilende Darstellung
(communicative presentation) will be brought into conversation with Gräb’s homiletics as
religious speech and then, adding to the conversation, Latour’s tormented religious speech.
Latour’s religious speech will, in turn, be brought into conversation with Rancière’s idea of
politics in contrast to police, thereby proposing a non-colonial [divine] service, which might
have certain similarities with Badiou’s interpretation of theatre. However, being vigilant of the
constant threat of again becoming colonial. This temptation or danger could be prevented by
a communicative presentation (theatrical performance or enactment) of the Christ Event
through a Christ-poiēsis that does not colonise time or space but brings into close proximity
(communicative presentation) space and time as the fulfilment of time.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article, ‘Towards a non-colonial
[divine] service’ is written from the South African context, but its relevance is global as it
proposes a non-colonial perspective on homiletics and liturgy. It brings together various
disciplines (philosophy, political science and economics) into critical constructive conversation
with Practical Theology, specifically homiletics and liturgy.
