PCT4144 African Theology (4 credits) at United Lutheran Theological Seminary Paulinum

What is African Theology?

African theology is Christian theology from the perspective of the African cultural context. It should be distinguished from black theology, which originated from the American and South African context and is more closely aligned with liberation theology.

Overview

Some Africanists suggested the Scripture (Bible) and African religiocultural heritage as the main sources of African theology. Others, especially African Catholic theologians, pointed to Christian revelation and African philosophy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the concept of African theology?

According to John Mbiti, the term “African Theology” means a theological reflection and expression by African Christians. For Muzorewa, African Theology is an attempt to respond to a mandate to construct a biblically-based and relevant theology that speaks to the spiritual needs of the African people.

What are the 4 types of theology?

The four types include biblical theology, historical theology, systematic (or dogmatic) theology, and practical theology.

What is the difference between African theology and theology?

Taking his thought further however, if theology is generally understood as reflection and discourse about God, African theology then is that theological endeavour which is embarked upon mostly by Africans and non-Africans who are familiar with the African milieu, and who are seeking to respond to such issues 

What are the theological issues in Africa?

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.

What is African Christianity?

African Christianity is a new development of African religion, shaped by the. parameters ofpre-ChristianAfrican religionas the Christian- ity of the Jerusalem Church of the Acts of the Apostles was rooted in the. religion of old Israel.

What is African Christology?

African Christology is more holistic as it integrates the person and the work of Christ, which apply to the whole of African life. Jesus, the Lord of cultures and the Healer, is alive today. He has overcome death so that God’s transforming power may heal our deeply wounded souls and our broken communities.

What is the purpose of liberation theology?

liberation theology, religious movement arising in late 20th-century Roman Catholicism and centred in Latin America. It sought to apply religious faith by aiding the poor and oppressed through involvement in political and civic affairs

What is the difference between religion and theology?

Theology is the critical study of the nature of the divine; more generally, Religion refers to any cultural system of worship that relates humanity to the supernatural or transcendental.

What is an example of theology?

Theology is defined as a collection of assembled religious beliefs, or is the study of God and religion. An example of theology is the study of God. An organized method of interpreting spiritual works and beliefs into practical form. The study of God, or a god, or gods, and the truthfulness of religion in general.

What is inculturation theology?

Inculturation is the term that Catholic leaders and theologians have used in recent decades to denote a process of engagement between the Christian Gospel and a particular culture. The term is intended conceptually both to safeguard the integrity of the Gospel and to encourage sensitivity to various cultural contexts.

What is the study of Christology?

Christology is the part of theology that is concerned with the nature and work of Jesus, including such matters as the Incarnation, the Resurrection, and his human and divine natures and their relationship.

What was the African religion before Christianity?

Polytheism was widespreaded in most of ancient African and other regions of the world, before the introduction of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. An exception was the short-lived monotheistic religion created by Pharaoh Akhenaten, who made it mandatory to pray to his personal god Aton (see Atenism).

What do African traditional religion believe in?

Followers of traditional African religion believe that ancestors maintain a spiritual connection with their living relatives. Most ancestral spirits are generally good and kind. The only negative actions taken by ancestral spirits is to cause minor illnesses to warn people that they have gotten onto the wrong path.

What is the main African religion?

The majority of Africans are adherents of Christianity or Islam. African people often combine the practice of their traditional belief with the practice of Abrahamic religions. Abrahamic religions are widespread throughout Africa.

What is the importance of theology?

Theology offers the opportunity to focus on the Christian faith in detail, through the study of the Bible, the history of Christianity, its key thinkers and its influence on ethical debates and the actions of its believers.