The Bible, the Bullet, and the Ballot

This book provides a balanced account of the role of Christians, Christian organizations, and churches in sociopolitical transformation over the bedrock of colonial and nationalist politics in the past century in Zimbabwe. The work explores the broader social and political impact of prominent African Christian clergy who were sociopolitical activists such as Ndabaningi Sithole, Abel Muzorewa, and Canaan Banana. It also highlights the role of missionaries who contributed to the African struggle for independence such as Ralph Edward Dodge, Donal Lamont, and Garfield Todd. The work further explores the contributions of African nationalist parties and prominent politicians with Christian roots, such as Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe, in the struggle for independence, and their contribution in the postcolonial era in light of their Christian heritage and the collective pre-independence nationalist ideals on nation-building and national unity. ""This scholarly yet accessible book is both timely and undeniably thought-provoking. It irrevocably draws the reader not only to the history of Christian sociopolitical involvement in Africa but also sheds light on the seeds of the continent's current state of affairs."" --Dr. Ben Shikwati, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya ""An outstanding, informative, and inspiring study that provides fresh and significant insights for today's church in the fight against all the vices of society, including any new form of colonialism to be found anywhere on African soil--and beyond."" --Dr. Abi T. Ngunga, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK ""This book offers a fresh perspective on the role of African Christians and their leadership in the struggle for independence in colonial Zimbabwe. In contrast to much scholarship on Zimbabwean history, this work contends that Christian influence, both Roman Catholic and Protestant alike, . . . was significant from the sixties in the fight against colonialism."" --Dr. Erwin van der Meer, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands Dr. Fabulous Moyo, a Zimbabwean, is teaching and research fellow at George Whitefield College, South Africa, and also serves as Extraordinary Senior Lecturer at North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa, in the Faculty of Theology.