The Routledge Handbook of African Theology

Description

Theology has a rich tradition across the African continent, and has taken myriad directions since Christianity first arrived on its shores. This handbook charts both historical developments and contemporary issues in the formation and application of theologies across the member countries of the African Union. Written by a panel of expert international contributors, chapters firstly cover the various methodologies needed to carry out such a survey. Various theological movements and themes are then discussed, as well as biblical and doctrinal issues pertinent to African theology. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of contributors Foreword Part I Theological method Chapter 1 Theology today in Africa Notes Chapter 2 Philosophy and theology in Africa Introduction Developments and themes in African philosophy and theology: sources and methodology African philosophy and theology of inculturation: convergence of theory and praxis “I am because we are, and since we are therefore I am:” Ubuntu philosophy and theology Conclusions Notes Chapter 3 Theology of inculturation: History, meaning, and implications “God does not show favoritism…” Current perspectives on evangelization and culture Contextuality and divine self-revelation Scholarly meaning of the concept Practical and theological dynamics of inculturation Inculturation in Africa Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 4 Sources of African theology Introduction On delineations The question of the sources Conclusion Notes Bibliography Part II Theological movements Chapter 5 Dialogue between African traditional religion and Christian theology: A sure way for the survival of the Church in Africa Introduction The nature and characteristics of African Traditional Religion The despicable encounter between Christianity and ATR during the colonial period The need for dialogue between African Traditional Religion and Christian theology The rational for the need for dialogue between Christianity and ATR Dialogue between ATR and Christianity and the emergence of Christian theology The making of African theology: the case of Canon Ronald Wynne in Botswana Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 6 African feminist theology Definition of the term “feminist/feminism” Definitional issues in womanism and African feminist theologies Feminist theologies and secular feminist movements in Africa African feminist theologies Affinities between North American and African feminist theologies A brief chronological sketch of the history of African feminist theology Central concerns of the Circle Methodological trends in African feminist biblical interpretations Some significant trends of African feminist theologies Main problems raised by African feminism and the interface between the Circle and white North American feminist theologians The Circle/African feminist theology today Notes Bibliography Chapter 7 The four waves of black theology in South Africa and contexts of political struggle Introduction Black consciousness of Steve Biko and black theology in South Africa The reclamation of victimization A third wave of black theology: racism, human dignity, and black identity A fourth wave of black theology in Africa Kairos theology and the post-apartheid relevance of black theology in South Africa The relevance of black theology for the Kairos Palestinian movement The relevance of black theology for overcoming tribalistic and ethnocentric differences: the case of the Rwanda genocide and Burundi war The hermeneutics of black theology A hermeneutic of love and justice Black theology—a theology of dignity and identity and not a materialist theology Black theology as a source of empowerment Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 8 African theology: Political and public Preliminary remarks Symbiotic theologies (i)—implicit or derivative public/political theology Symbiotic theologies (ii)—constitutive or definitive public/political theology Antagonistic theologies (iv)—resistant or critical public/political theology The dynamic of political or public theology Notes Bibliography Chapter 9 The sermon debate and political theology in Kenya Introduction Church and state—preliminary notes From mediation to opposition The sermons debate “Bringing God’s word to bear on our contemporary world is … Prophetic Ministry”12—expository sermons, 1987–1988 Expanding the debate: the spillover effects of the sermons Epilogue Notes References Chapter 10 From reconstruction to reaffirmation: African Christian theology in an era of hot peace Introduction The indispensability of African Christianity Missionaries as rulers and converts as subjects The East African revival as an anti-colonial movement African churchmanship and statesmanship in tandem The western Christian missionary enterprise and African responses Biblical hermeneutics and the theology of reconstruction From theology of reconstruction to theology of re-affirmation Conclusion Notes Chapter 11 Christian theology and public health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa Defining health Christian theology and the promotion of the goals of public health The biblical metaphor of imago Dei versus divisive conceptions of “otherness” A preferential option for the poor A caring and healing Church Conclusion: Is a theology of/on health truly a theology of society? Notes References Chapter 12 Theology and reconstruction in Africa Introduction The genesis of ATOR Some methodological considerations Some fundamental concerns Critiquing theology of reconstruction Conclusion Notes References Chapter 13 Doing theology ecumenically: Some African perspectives on ecumenical theology Introduction The oikouménē: unity as an imperative of the Gospel and the reality of disunity Mission and unity: early African ecumenical initiatives Ecumenism in changing religious landscapes: challenges and prospects An ecumenical theology: self-consciously contextual and constructive Conclusion: doing theology ecumenically Notes Chapter 14 Theology and development in Africa Introduction Conceptual and theoretical frameworks for a theological account of development in Africa Theology and development in Africa The African development approach The institutional approach: engaging the dual crisis of the postcolonial states and post-missionary churches of Africa Theological typologies of development for African Christianity African theology of development as reflection on the praxis of hope and historical reversal African theology of development as a reflection on marginality African theology of development as path to abundant life Conclusion Notes Chapter 15 African theology after Vatican II: Themes and questions on initiatives and missed opportunities Introduction Some founding initiatives African theology after Vatican II The initiatives, themes, and questions from theologians Conclusion Notes Part III Regional and emergent theological themes Chapter 16 The Ethiopian Orthodox Church: Theology, doctrines, traditions, and practices Introduction The Judaic character of the EOC The church and the monarchy Post-monarchy developments Theology and doctrine of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church The sacraments of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Liturgy, worship, and hymnology Ecclesiastic autonomy Authority and hierarchy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church The monastic tradition Educational foundations of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Church, culture, and society Notes Chapter 17 Evangelical theology Introduction What is evangelical theology? The history of African evangelicals Evangelical theology in Africa: its themes and innovations Evangelical theology: its contributions and challenges Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 18 (How) Are we doing ecotheology in (South) Africa? Some hermeneutical reflections Notes Chapter 19 Abundant life—holistic soteriology as motivation for socio-political engagement: A Pentecostal and missional perspective Introduction Pentecostal soteriology as potentially holistic Salvation as abundant life: insights from African Pentecostalism The relation between salvation and evil, church, and power The challenge from liberation theology The right way of fasting—“doing both” Holistic soteriology—back to the Savior Conclusion Notes References Chapter 20 We create the path by walking: Evolving an African narrative theology Two concrete examples of African narrative theology Searching for a genuine, authentic African method of theology African narrative theology of inculturation African Christian Conversation Theology Notes Bibliography Chapter 21 Postcolonial theology in Africa: Looking back and looking forward The deep roots of African theology The importance of African religions The importance of pre-colonial theology in Africa Postcolonial Christian theology in Africa: indigenous, protesting, reluctant, and tragic The pre-colonial roots of Christian theology in Africa Postcolonial theology in Africa in the 21st century The main tenets of postcolonial Christianity in Africa Conclusion Notes Recommended reading Chapter 22 The theology of the African Initiated Churches Introduction A brief history of African Initiated Churches Sources of African Instituted Church Theology The Holy Spirit African culture Holistic approach to the situation affecting the person Emphasis on the present reality Perception of the ultimate cause of illness The Bible Experience Conclusion Notes Chapter 23 Faith-based organizations in Africa and the option for the poor: Rapid diagnostic and insights from the theology of Father Joseph Wresinski Introduction Do FBOs reach the poor in Africa? How could FBOs better reach the poor(est)? What role may faith and spirituality play? Conclusion Note References Chapter 24 African Christian theology and sexuality: Some considerations Introduction African theology or African Christian theology? Overview of sexuality or sexualities (with focus on early Christian ideas and pre-colonial African ideas) Considering the basis of a theology of sexuality in creation (Gen. 1:1–2:4a) Situating sexuality in African Christian theology Conclusion Note References Chapter 25 Theology and peacemaking in Africa Conceptualizing violence and peace Violence in Africa Classic and Biblical framework of peace theology Ecclesiological dimensions of peace theology The possibility and nature of peace theology in Africa Notes References Part IV Biblical and doctrinal theology Chapter 26 Bible and theology in Africa Introduction The Bible in Christian theology Bible and theology in Africa Examples of the use of the Bible in some African churches Challenges with “the Bible as the only source of African theology” approach Problems with the sola Scriptura claim (especially in Africa) The Bible and other sources of Christian theology Conclusion and way forward: the Bible and theology in Africa Notes Bibliography Chapter 27 Christology in Africa Introduction Definition Various perspectives on Jesus Efforts to Africanize Christology in the Roman Catholic Church Kwame Bediako Charles Nyamiti Anne Nasimiyu-Wasike Laurenti Magesa Notes Bibliography Chapter 28 Rumors of salvation: Perspectives of salvation in African Christian thought Taxonomies of salvation Spiritual and traditional views of salvation Modern and empirical views of salvation Whither, African soteriology? Notes References Chapter 29 Patristic ecclesiology in Africa Clement of Alexandria (ad 150–215) Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullian (ad 155–240) Origen (ad 185–254) The African Popes Agrippinus and re-baptism Cyprian (ad 248–258) Augustine (ad 354–430) Athanasius (ad 296–373) Bishop of Carthage (ad 391–430) Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 30 Biblical and dogmatic theology on personhood: Application to Africa’s milieu Philosophical foundations of personhood Biblical and doctrinal perspectives on personhood Key derivations African conceptions of personhood The quest for an Africanized theology of personhood Conclusion Notes References Chapter 31 Liturgical theology—African perspective Introduction Doctrine and the need for obligatory liturgical texts—3rd Council of Carthage (397 ce) Liturgical memorial as ancestral memorial, the perspective of memory, and tradition in African Christianity “Blood of martyrs,” throbbing heart of the “flesh of the church,” the seed of liturgical theology Afterword Notes References Chapter 32 Eschatology in Africa: Anticipation and critical engagement Introduction Mbiti on biblical eschatology in Africa Eschatology in the teachings of the African Inland Mission The resurrection as corporate eschatology Reception of Mbiti’s thesis Eschatology in the critique and recapture of African Christianity Eschatology calls for a transformative praxis Conclusion Notes Index of names and subjects Index of biblical passages and citations