Beyond Secularization: Unmasking the Theological-Economic Logic of Colonial Power

Decolonial scholarship often overlooks the constitutive role of theology in shaping coloniality, framing it as a precursor to secular modernity. This paper challenges that narrative, arguing that seemingly "secular" economic and political systems are structured by theological logics in disguise. Specifically, I examine how the concept of debt, central to both Christian soteriology and capitalist economics, functions as a key mechanism of colonial power. This theological-economic logic shapes not only economic exploitation, but also racial, gendered, and epistemic hierarchies. By exposing this logic, I challenge the assumed opposition between theology and economics, demonstrating that a deeper engagement with colonial theology is essential for dismantling colonial legacies. Crucially, this analysis interrogates dominant understandings of "freedom," revealing how they are often predicated on the unfreedom of others. This calls for reimaging of freedom beyond the confines of colonial power.