The church struggle in South Africa - John W. De Gruchy

2004 is the
25th Anniversary of John de Gruchy's Church Struggle in South Africa, a book which played an important role in helping South African's understand the racial and political context in which Christianity has been shaped in South Africa. The book tells the story of the Christian Church in South Africa from its colonial beginnings until 1976, the year in which Steve Biko was murdered by the security police and the Christian Institute was banned. Now entering its third edition the story of the Church following 1976 up until 1994,the year of transition for South Africa to a new democracy, is told. The role played by Church leaders such as Desmond Tutu is examined, as is the transition to democracy under the
leadership of Nelson Mandela.In Mandela's words the churches acted as 'midwives' of the birth of a new South Africa. New chapters also cover the current situation and
the response of the churches to issues such as HIV and AIDS, Economic Development,Crime and Violence, Truth and Reconciliation and Nation Building.