African Theology As Liberating Wisdom

In African Theology as Liberating Wisdom; Celebrating Life and Harmony in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana, Mari-Anna Pöntinen analyses contextual interpretations of the Christian faith in this particular church. These interpretations are based on the special wisdom tradition which embraces monistic ontology, communal ethics in botho, and the indigenous belief in God as the Source of Life, and the Root of everything that exists. The constructing theological principle in the ELCB is the downward-orientated and descending God in Christ which interprets the ‘Lutheran spirit’ in a liberating and empowering sense. It deals with the cultural mythos which brings Christ down into people’s existence, unlike Western connotations which are considered to hinder seeing Christ and to prevent existential self-awareness.

Two major strands of theology have developed in Africa--inculturation and liberation--each in response to different needs. Emmanuel Martey's African Theology provides a clear, scholarly examination of these two basic approaches, solidly based on Martey's understanding of contemporary theology and his firsthand knowledge of Africa.Martey first examines the historical background of each of these theological developments, especially relating to cultural and political movements enveloping the continent in the 1970s. In sub-Saharan Africa, struggles for independence from colonizers have resulted in inculturation theology. The defining aspect of this theology is that it pushes its roots firmly in African culture and traditions. In South Africa, on the other hand, Black Africans struggling against the oppressive systems of apartheid have turned to liberation theology.Martey shows how the real hope for African theology lies in the dialectical encounter between these two approaches and in their potential for convergence. "The two foci (of liberation and inculturation)," Martey says, "are not contradictory, but complement each other." African Theology concludes by challenging African theologians to weld together the praxis of inculturation with that of liberation, in order to achieve an integrative vision for the continent.

Black theology continually poses a challenge to Christian witness and faith. Through a critical analysis of leading religious thinkers, Dwight N. Hopkins explores the fundamental differences and similarities between black theology in the United States and black theology in South Africa and asks: What is the common denominator between the two? Part I examines the historical, political, cultural, and theological background of contemporary black theology in both countries. Hopkins delves into the distinctive situation of each country, focusing on civil rights, black power, and related political, cultural, and theological themes in the United States, and on civil disobedience, black consciousness, the unity of politics and culture, and political/cultural/theological themes in South Africa. Through interviews with leading black religious scholars, Part II explores these theologies in depth. Contrasting the cultural-theological trend with the political-theological trend in the USA, Hopkins explores the ideas of theologians Albert B. Cleage, James H. Cone, J. Deotis Roberts, William R. Jones, Gayraud S. Wilmore, Charles H. Long, Cecil W. Cone, and Vincent Harding. In Part III Hopkins examines the same two trends - cultural-theological and political-theological - in South Africa. Here the focus is on the impact of black consciousness and Soweto, and the works of Manas Buthelezi, Allan Boesak, Simon S. Maimela, Frank Chikane, Bonganjalo C. Goba, Itumeleng J. Mosala, Takatso A. Mofokeng, and Desmond M. Tutu. Part IV brings black theology USA and black theology South Africa into dialogue. Hopkins locates the common denominator between the tow theologies: that they both claim the Christian gospel as the gospel of liberation for black people struggling against racism and for a holistic humanity - physically and spiritually, politically and culturally. He concludes by looking toward future areas of development and collaboration, arguing that an effective black theology of liberation must integrate politics and culture, insuring that the two are equal and complementary, two tributaries within the same current.

A book that reviews the principles of modern Black Theology, its roots and contributions to the Christian world. It also discusses what challenges Black theologians face in their minister and their religious communities.

Stinton has edited the work of prominent African theologians, making their writings accessible at an introductory level. Some African scholars have written new pieces for the book, others have given permission for articles to be condensed and simplified in style. Kwame Bediako, Benezet Bujo, Philomena Mwara and Isabel Phiri are just four of the theologians featured.

'African Cry' is liberation theology with African content and original method--in short, a model of African liberation theology. Its translation into the English language is a big contribution to the corpus of literature on African liberation theology available to the English-speaking public. For those who are not already familiar with its French version, it provides a new dimension in African theology. The book is a must for all students of African theology."" --Justin S. Ukpong, Catholic Institute of West Africa, Nigeria 'African Cry' is fundamentally a challenge to all who claim adherence to the Christian faith. It explores the Scriptures, particularly the Gospels, in the light of what passes for Christianity and Mission on the part of European and Caucasian thinking, attitudes, and behavior on the continent of Africa. The book is a magnificent presentation of the problems that the African and African-American have with the behavior and attitudes of Church people from the highest to the lowest levels. This book should be read by as many Christians as possible, and, above all, bishops, particularly European and American."" --Lawrence E. Lucas, author of 'Black Priest/White Church' 'African Cry' shatters the self-censorship of sub-Saharan African theologians on political-economic issues while retaining their deep concern for cultural liberation. It is now impossible to discuss African theology without reference to Ela."" --Marie Giblin, Associate Professor of Theology, Xavier University A vigorous, frank, and uncompromising series of essays by a young, rural-based Cameroonian priest. The stress is on the interrelatedness of inculturation, liberation, and authenticity. The cry is for the right to be different. A superb example of the strongly-felt anguish of committed African priests for a church at once credible and rooted in reality."" --Simon E. Smith, SJ, former Coordinator of the Jesuit Refugee Service in Africa Jean-Marc Ela is a Cameroonian theologian. He is also the author of 'My Faith as an African.'