Issues in African Christian Theology


Book Description

Christian theologians in Africa are faced with three conflicting worlds: Christian faith, African culture and modern culture. In spite of the commitment of Christian theologians to live by biblical teaching, there is a tendency for them to become involved with issues in their environments, causing tension. The salient issues confronting Christianity in Africa are examined from an evangelical standpoint. Eighteen African scholars, from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, together with colleagues from the US, contribute perspectives grouped into four parts: The Task of African Christian Theology; The Foundations of African Christian Theology; Christ and the Salvation in African Christian Theology; and The Spirit, the Church and the Future in African Christian Theology.




Towards African Missiology


Book Description

This volume reflects on a credible and a new language of Christian mission in Africa. The author’s thoughts and approaches not only provide a missiological insight which contribute to the repertoire of expanding fresh ideas in the missiological studies but also serves the purpose of highlighting the active participation of Africans in the missionary mandate of Jesus Christ. In other words, the scope of missiology needs a contextualized interpretation. Thus, he proposes a proactive language for missiology in Africa thereby underlining Africans as normal and full members of the human family. In the light of the Vatican II mission theology, the new language should be based on the fact that Africans will grow and do better in admiration and not in sympathy. Interestingly, the arguments in this volume opens the space for the on-going discussions in the mission of the church in the era of secularization and post-modernity. Consequently, a new language for missiology in Africa will come from the retrieval and modernization of our African cultural matrix pursued from the point of view of the daily struggles of the Africans themselves for survival which also addresses Africans in the spirit of cooperation.







African Contextual Realities


Book Description

Everyone who has “eyes to see” acknowledges the growing importance of the African church to the future of global Christianity. But what does it mean for the church to take root in Africa? How should the message of the gospel and the practice of Christianity be contextualized for Africa? African Contextual Realities addresses many of the questions surrounding contextualization from a practical point of view and is the fruit of the 6th Annual Conference of the Africa Society of Evangelical Theology held in Nairobi in 2016. The book explores such questions as: • In what ways should the mission of God be universally recognizable in every cultural context? • In our efforts to contextualize, how do we avoid compromising the very gospel we are to proclaim? • How can the African church wean itself away from dependency on the Western church? • How does Christianity speak into some of the cultural and social issues arising out of contemporary African settings – issues like widow cleansing, Christian-Muslim relations, and peace-building? All those who are interested to learn more about the contextualization of African Christianity will find this volume to be an important resource.




Power, Poverty, and Prayer


Book Description




Democracy and Reconciliation


Book Description

"The contributors creatively explore the theme of 'democracy', noting its openness to a wide variety of meanings and interpretations. The book lucidly documents the fact that although in practice 'democracy' may not be perfect or easily attainable, its tenets are worth promoting in every society and nation everywhere. The Church has a responsibility to engage itself in this endeavour, beginning with itself and radiating its exemplary teaching and action throughout the rest of society. Appreciating the role of the Church as an agent of reconciliation, the book urges for the enhancement of that role in every nation. The book extends the challenge to Africans in general, and theologians in particular, to critically reflect on the democratization and reconciliation processes in their respective nations, in order to facilitate a meeting of minds concerning the destiny of Africa."--




Challenges of Christian Marriage in African Culture


Book Description

The book Challenges of Christian Marriage in Africa Culture is a reflection of Fr. Sylvester on the challenges encountered by Christian marriage in a communitarian African culture of kinship. While Christian marriage is a free decision of the couple involved, African marriage is a communitarian task, and thus, the decision of the community must take precedence. The contrast between Christian marriage and African marriage becomes a challenge to the Christian ideology of marriage. However, this book aims at a reconciliation between these marriages, where the moral values found in either marriage could be adopted for a sustainable marriage.




African Public Theology


Book Description

Africa needs leaders and Christians from every walk of life to rediscover their identity and purpose in all spheres of society. African Public Theology sounds a clarion call to accomplish this vital task. God created all humans equally, intending for us to live in community and take responsibility for the world around us – a mandate we need to act on. Through faithful application of Scripture to contexts common in the continent today, contributors from across Africa join as one to present a vision for the Africa that God intended. No simplistic solutions are offered – instead African Public Theology challenges every reader to think through the application of biblical principles in their own community, place of work and sphere of influence. If we heed the principles and lessons that God’s word has for society, culture and public life, then countries across Africa can have hope of a future that is free from corruption and self-promotion and is instead characterized by collective stewardship and servant-hearted leadership.