On Saving Theology in Public Universities in South Africa

The status of theological education is declining in public universities in Africa. This article focused on the decline of theology in South African public universities. The article attempted to assess the attempts to restore the status of theology through pluralist, ecumenical, scientific interdisciplinary and humanist approaches. It argued that these approaches are not likely to save theology in public universities but will create a vacuum to be filled by unregistered and substandard theological institutions. These substandard theological institutions have confessional approaches that fill the gap created by secularist approaches adopted by public universities. The public universities are challenged to realise the uniqueness of theology from other disciples and its importance in preventing the mile-long but inch-deep church in South Africa. This article contributes to the saving of theology in public universities by challenging churches to actively seek ways of influencing theological education in public universities because they, the churches, are the primary beneficiaries of theology education. Keywords: Theology, Education, Pluralist, Interdisciplinary, Humanist, Confessional