Albert Nolan in His Own Words

Albert Nolan in His Own Words is a selection of Albert Nolan’s (1934 – 2022) lesserknown writings. It is a collection of articles, retreat talks and sermons, ordered chronologically, which span a period of approximately 35 years (1977–2011). Many of these writings were only published in South Africa and highlight how Nolan, throughout his life, responded theologically to changing contexts.

Writing in the context of Apartheid, Nolan not only condemned this unjust system but encouraged Christians to actively work against it. During this time, he wrote on made themes related to contextual theology, Kairos theology and what it means to be a Christian in the struggle. He focused on conscientising people about injustice and challenged them to contribute to change as Jesus would have done. Christians needed to develop both a social analysis of what is happening in South Africa but also a biblical understanding of the situation, so that they could take effective action against injustice. Often, Nolan described himself as more of an activist than a theologian. He was no armchair theologian but practised what he preached by being actively involved in working for transformation himself.

In 1990s, when South Africa changed, so did the focus of Nolan’s writings. His challenge to Christians was now to contribute to the reconstruction and development of a new fully democratic country. He saw that even after a change of government, injustice and inequalities would persist. Hence, economic justice became a greater priority. Equally important, was the development of a deeper personal spirituality for all, so people would not succumb to the corrupting influences of greed and self-advancement at the expense of the poor.

At the turn of the new millennium, Nolan recognised other contexts. This was the ecological context of our relationship with the Earth upon which we live with other sentient beings. We needed an ecological spirituality so we can recognise our responsibility for caring for our planet. We also live in a mysterious universe and this calls from us a more profound contemplation on God and the cosmos. This opened doors to a deeper reflection on the Christian life in relation to the new science. Nolan was so excited by these new insights that even towards the end of his life, he wrote that this was ‘an exciting time to be a Christian’.

Albert Nolan in His Own Words is a selection of Albert Nolan’s (1934 – 2022) lesserknown writings. It is a collection of articles, retreat talks and sermons, ordered chronologically, which span a period of approximately 35 years (1977–2011). Many of these writings were only published in South Africa and highlight how Nolan, throughout his life, responded theologically to changing contexts.

Writing in the context of Apartheid, Nolan not only condemned this unjust system but encouraged Christians to actively work against it. During this time, he wrote on made themes related to contextual theology, Kairos theology and what it means to be a Christian in the struggle. He focused on conscientising people about injustice and challenged them to contribute to change as Jesus would have done. Christians needed to develop both a social analysis of what is happening in South Africa but also a biblical understanding of the situation, so that they could take effective action against injustice. Often, Nolan described himself as more of an activist than a theologian. He was no armchair theologian but practised what he preached by being actively involved in working for transformation himself.

In 1990s, when South Africa changed, so did the focus of Nolan’s writings. His challenge to Christians was now to contribute to the reconstruction and development of a new fully democratic country. He saw that even after a change of government, injustice and inequalities would persist. Hence, economic justice became a greater priority. Equally important, was the development of a deeper personal spirituality for all, so people would not succumb to the corrupting influences of greed and self-advancement at the expense of the poor.

At the turn of the new millennium, Nolan recognised other contexts. This was the ecological context of our relationship with the Earth upon which we live with other sentient beings. We needed an ecological spirituality so we can recognise our responsibility for caring for our planet. We also live in a mysterious universe and this calls from us a more profound contemplation on God and the cosmos. This opened doors to a deeper reflection on the Christian life in relation to the new science. Nolan was so excited by these new insights that even towards the end of his life, he wrote that this was ‘an exciting time to be a Christian’.

• By (author) Albert Nolan
• Edited by Mark James