ABSTRACT

We live in a world of pluralism of religions. These religions sometimes have not only misunderstood other faiths, but eyed them with suspicion and with the tragic distinction that we are the children of light and everyone else the child of darkness. This essay historically and theologically examines the prophecy of Zephaniah (the ninth of the Twelve Minor prophets/dod?kaproph?ton), encapsulated in his theological notion of the Day of YHWH (y?m ?d?nay) in order to underscore its ecumenical, ecclesiological, and interreligious relevance for the Church and global cultural and religious communities today. The church today as well as individual Christians and members of other religious communities and cultural orientations both within and outside Africa, are globally challenged to be the “Zephaniahs” of today by bearing messages of hope, unity of worship, true interfaith and cultural dialogues with ecumenical spirit that convey to everyone justice and peace.