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Nine Reflections on African Religion and Philosophy Review Essays on Nine Readings in African Traditional Religion, with Implications for Today

Religion and Theology

By Bernard Kimani, PhD

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  1. Introduction
  2. Conclusion
  3. References

Abstract

This paper gathers nine review essays on readings in African traditional religion that were first written as a connected series in 2010. Each essay states the thesis of the work reviewed,reflects on it critically from an evangelical African standpoint, and draws an application for the church. The readings span the foundational claim of John S. Mbiti that religion permeates the whole of African life; Jacob K. Olupona’s agenda for the academic study of the religion; Emefie Ikenga-Metuh’s argument that African names and concepts of God are indigenous; a newspaper account of a cabinet minister’s initiation at a Kaya shrine; Mbiti’s study of women in African religion; O. Samuel Nichols on the ancestors in African Christian theology; Laurent Magesa on the moral traditions of abundant life; Martin Nkafu Nkemnkia’s proposal for studying the religion on its own terms; and Lois Fuller’s handbook for missionaries. Read together, the essays argue that African traditional religion cannot be wished away, that Africans knew God before the missionary arrived, that the ancestors remain the point of sharpest disagreement, and that the gospel is best communicated by those who first understand what they are addressing. The paper closes by drawing out the implications of these reflections for the church and for theological education today.

Who this is for

Students comparing scholarly accounts of African traditional religion; Theological educators teaching these readings; Church leaders considering their implications for Christian practice

What this resource helps you explore

Understand different aspects of African Religion and Philosophy

Resource details

Format
Paper · PDF
Subject
Religion and Theology
Learning level
Multi-level

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