Intersectional hermeneutics in Zimbabwe’s Anglican Church, Diocese of Harare (2008–2025)

Abstract

The Anglican Diocese of Harare (CPCA) church’s hermeneutical lenses intersected economic, political and social distress from 2000, with the emergence of Pentecostal denominations and/or ministries birthing new hermeneutics and phenomenon. Zimbabwe experienced unprecedented political tensions, social upheavals and economic downturns. Life values plummeted into social distress. The Church’s hermeneutics reacted at that intersection. The period witnessed the proliferation of Pentecostal churches exhibiting Pan-Africanism bent towards advancing the much needed solace and promoting individualistic hope. The churches and ministries introduced the prosperity gospel, one-on-one healing and deliverance, miracle monies and babies, wristband and anointing oils. Their followership surged as congregants felt their socio-economic problems were being addressed. The said congregants flourished because they dovetailed existential and survival needs of citizens within the economic, social or political duress to their hermeneutics. The traditional, communal and sacramental Anglican Church, which upholds the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), the creeds and the 39 articles that inform the theology and hermeneutics, intersected with Pentecostalism and the changing socio-political environment. The church, at the intersection, drifted towards neo-Pentecostalism, undermining the BCP, creeds and the 39 articles. The intersectional hermeneutics inquiry showed diverse dimensional Bible exegesis confirming altered hermeneutics and modus operandi. The intersectionality reveals that Pentecostal preachers ‘pentecostalised’ Anglican preachers.
Contribution: The article reveals unique drivers to biblical exegesis, theological convulsions to the changing socio-economic changes and changes in religio-political contexts. The article shows how multiple social identities interact with created community complexes.