The Land and The African Context for Theology, 2011

Abstract

There is a big conceptual difference between African traditional culture and Western civilization. African culture and religion are intrinsically one and the same thing. An African cannot live or experience life outside of religion. Life is guided by one religion, and religion is how one interacts with all nature. The Western world, on the other hand, regards Christian theology/religion as an abstract philosophy of life to which one can either choose to belong or not. In a word, the main difference between African theological philosophy of life and Western theology is simply this: Western theology is based on abstract thinking while African theology is the experience of life on the land that God entrusted to them. This article is basically introducing a topic that warrants continuing research. An appreciation of the African worldview will answer many questions that western biblical scholars and ecclesiastical leaders have not adequately understood or explained. Some of the questions being asked relate to church growth. Why is the Christian church growing faster on the African continent today? Why was it not growing as fast during the missionary and colonial era? Can a study of African tradition and myth help clarify the biblical text?

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