Perichoresis and the Renewal of African Public Life: Exploring Trinitarian Theology in the Thought of Edwards and Barth

Abstract

This article examined the relevance of the doctrine of perichoresis for renewing African public life through the comparative analysis of theological insights of Jonathan Edwards and Karl Barth. The research problem centered on the marginal role that classical Trinitarian ethics, particularly perichoresis, plays in addressing Africa’s postcolonial challenges, including ethnic divisions, ecological degradation, and gender inequality. The goal was to retrieve and reappropriate perichoretic theology as a lens for justice, reconciliation, and human flourishing. Employing a method of historical retrieval and constructive reappropriation, the study engages Edwards’ depiction of the Spirit as the bond of divine love and Barth’s emphasis on the unity of God’s self-revelation within his Trinitarian dogmatics. Their insights were placed in dialogue with African theological voices such as Desmond Tutu, Mercy Amba Oduyoye, Kwame Bediako, and Jean-Marc Ela, and traditional philosophical concepts like Ubuntu and harambee. The main argument posited that perichoresis is not merely a metaphysical doctrine but a dynamic model framework for public ethics. The main findings were that African socio-political systems do not (usually) have their socio-political grounding in a relational ethics (theology); and perichoresis can contribute towards ecological, political and gender justice. The study further found that Trinitarian relationality presents a redemptive vision for Africa that serves as a resource for public theology by situating reconciliation and justice in the life of the Triune God. This article contributes to knowledge by retrieving the doctrine of perichoresis as a dynamic framework for public ethics in the African context. It bridges classical Trinitarian ethics/theology with contemporary African concerns by engaging the theological insights of Edwards and Barth alongside African theologians and indigenous concepts like Ubuntu and harambee. The study demonstrates that perichoresis, understood as divine relationality, can inform responses to postcolonial challenges such as ethnic division, ecological degradation, and gender inequality. In doing so, it offers a constructive vision for African public theology grounded in the life of the Triune God.