| Summary, etc. |
This work is an extension of an MTh dissertation, especially in the area of further reflection on the South African situation. It focuses on the problem of syncretism in the evangelical churches in Africa (the writer is not implying there are no exceptions) stemming from a lack of spiritual maturity. Syncretism is not only a sign of spiritual immaturity – sometimes of no conversion, but also stunts Christian growth. The dissertation’s goal is to seek a solution to this problem. This problem is particularly relevant as the evangelical movement in Africa is not young (its roots go back centuries), is numerically massive, growing fast, and has failed to impact Africa significantly. The writer is well aware that evangelical churches avidly claim to believe in the discipleship of converts, so vital if a solid foundation necessary to build mature Christians is to be laid. Traditionally this training has involved sessions on Christian salvation and the spiritual disciplines expected of Christians. Further, this discipleship has been largely Eurocentric, theoretical, and without adequate in culturation of the Christian life in African culture. The widespread weak, ineffective state of the Evangelical Church in Africa indicates this discipleship model is inadequate. The dissertation explores a number of areas that are relevant to discipleship in evangelical churches in Africa: evangelicalism, modernism,postmodernism, radical religious pluralism, African traditional religion (ATR), central Christian doctrines, worldview and its function, the nature and role of culture in society and the church, and the place and importance of cultural identity. The dissertation issues in a range of discipleship principles, most of which do not normally feature in discipleship of African evangelical converts. These principles that are relevant to the African Church are brought together to form a comprehensive and holistic model for Christian discipleship in Africa. The writer shares some of his experiences with his black theological students at the Bible Institute Eastern Cape related to themes handled in the dissertation. Discussions with these students about the generally poor theological, spiritual, moral conditions of African churches was the key motivation to embark on a dissertation that would produce a more effective model of discipleship for churches in Africa. The crises, problems and needs in Africa, as well as the African Renaissance, are also presented and their significance noted for Christian discipleship. It is argued that training up mature evangelical Christians will have a positive impact on both the churches and the continent, especially in helping establish wide spread morality and accelerating development so that Africa becomes independent and self-supporting. The dissertation argues that Christianity is largely the continuation, fulfillment,enrichment and reinterpretation of ATR and that it therefore strengthens rather than undermines African identity. It is shown that the greatest mistake of the missionaries and their white (and sometimes black) successors was their failure to appreciate the need to root orinculturate Christianity in the cultures of Africa and not undermine the African identity. They paid scant attention to the African worldview and its huge, key influential role in African life.Their cultural imperialism damaged the African identity, and this did more than anything else to hold back serious development on the African continent. This dissertation attempts to show that Christianity relevantly taught and culturally applied affirms African identity and effectively meets the needs of Africans in a traditional context without the need for syncretism. The dissertation fits into the African Renaissance, but stresses that a Spiritual Reformation that produces mature, evangelical Christians is vital to achieving the goals of the African Renaissance as it restores the African identity and African customs (those compatible with Christianity), lifts African humanity to greater heights, fulfills the longings and dream simplicity in ATR, provides the spiritual and moral fibre Africa needs, and strengthens democracy, all of which are key to development so desperately needed in Africa. Key words: Evangelicalism, church, African Renaissance, pluralism, modernism, African traditional religion, worldview, culture, identity, inculturation, model of discipleship. |
