International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume VI, Issue IX, September 2022|ISSN 2454-6186
Peter Mutiso Maundu
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya
Abstract: Being a prophet is to speak the truth, to convey God’s messages to people, regardless of the backlash the messenger may receive, just in case some people repent, and God does not punish those who do not repent. This article examines the Charism and Prophetic roles in the modern capitalist world where over 75 million people are languishing in abject poverty. The article is grounded on Lugino Bruni’s manuscript on Economy and Communion. It presents a reaction to his avers on true prophesies and the nature of love that not only unites people and communities but also fosters human relationship with God resulting in a religious world economy that constantly fights poverty. The article uses empirical examples to demonstrate how selfless love and economic prosperity are inseparable. It argues that ending poverty is a universal goal that can be achieved through unity among religious organizations and true prophetic actions. This points to the Economy of Communion (EOC), which is closely linked to agape in Christianity, Sorokin’s Altruistic Love, Ubuntu in Africa, the Harambee movement in Kenya, the Ujamaa spirit in Tanzania and many other forms of charism.
Keywords: Charism, Communion, prophet, Ubuntu
I. INTRODUCTION
In his manuscript “Economy and Communion,’” Lugino Bruni (2020) raises very crucial questions that cannot be ignored whenever one thinks about prophesy and prophetic economy in the modern world. As one reads the article, the Karl Marxian description of religion as “the opium of the people” (Marx, 1970, p. 131) comes in mind. The analogy in this statement shows that Marx labeled religion as an illegal practice, a narcotic that addicted its followers who never benefited from it but rather inflicted more suffering to them. Marx highlighted the exploitative nature of religion and its ability to alienate the society. Contrary to the assertion that religion not only plants the seeds of poverty but also irrigates them, Bruni brings in a completely different dimension where he defines a religious world economy that actually thrives and flourishes to the advantage of the poor. In fact, opium is also an analgesic drug or a painkiller that brings a sigh of relief to those who follow it and are in suffering (Cohen et al, 2021).