Profetisk diakoni : stemmer frå Latin-Amerika

Abstract

The concept “prophetic diakonia” was lifted on the agenda at the WCC meeting in Larnaca in 1986. The debate challenges the traditional understanding of diakonia as humble service, an understanding that had developed within the European tradition. Prophetic diakonia has particularly been embraced as a central concept in churches in the Global South. This article presents the theological foundation and uses the socio-political situation in Latin-America after the year 2000 to discuss how one can understand the concept of prophetic diakonia. Both the method and the analyzed material are taken from Latin American theological debate. The article concludes that prophetic diakonia is challenging to the church, but that it also includes a possibility for transformation, reconciliation and empowerment, both within the church and in the society as a whole.