Selected Themes In African Religion And Culture

This volume presents comprehensive case studies on various topics in Religious Studies. It aims at bringing about the dynamics of change and innovations that characterise the study of religions in contemporary Nigerian society. The work focusses on Biblical Studies, Church History, Islamic Studies and African Traditional Religions.

"Based on field research data collected and analyzed over the past seventeen years, the Maryknoll Institute of African Studies has categorized cultural knowledge into fifteen themes and thirty-five domains. The themes are the major values, symbols and ideas that bring wholeness and coherence to a culture. The themes explain the nature of life, the nature of creation, the nature of evil, etc. Underneath and within these themes are thirty-five cultural domains, that is, specific activities, rituals, attitudes and happenings that make up the ordinary events in the lives of human beings, from birth to death and beyond ... The book is divided into fifteen chapters, one for each foundational theme"--Intro., p. [1].

The contributions fall broadly under Biblical Studies, Church History, Islamic Studies and African Traditional Religions. --Book Jacket.

"This volume, based on a PhD thesis submitted to the University of Zimbabwe, investigates the resilience of Shona religion and culture among ZAOGA Pentecostal Christians. Whereas the Pentecostal ideology suggests that 'old things' have passed away, it appears that 'old things' continue to have high significance for the 'new'. The book demonstrates how belief in avenging spirits, witches and witchcraft, value of words spoken prior to death, the role, status and significance of women, belief in unnatural events, liturgy and salvation have remained relevant to the lives of ZAOGA Shona converts. The patterns of continuity, discontinuity, extension, collaboration, contradiction, re-interpretation and rejection between Shona traditional religion and culture and ZAOGA are explored, challenging the framing of African Pentecostalism as a mere imitation and parroting of US theology. The conclusion is that while ZAOGA self-consciously presents itself as a sophisticated, trans-national and progressive Pentecostal movement, members continue to wrestle with Shona indigenous beliefs and practices. An African womanist framework is adapted to challenge ZAOGA to promote the well-being of women." --

Africa, which used to host one of the Cradles of Ancient Civilizations of the world, has for long remained behind in areas of socio-economics and development. Her underdevelopment is a by-product of many factors. The author does not gloss over the exploitation and persistent destruction of the continent by Slave Trade, 'uncharitable' missionary enterprise and rivalry, colonisation and currently neo-colonialism. He goes further to project a controversial fundamental thesis that the tradition, culture and traditional religion of Africa contributed more than all other factors combined in keeping Africa behind in social development and progress. He is not afraid to suggest that Christianity which laid the foundation of the development of modern Western Europe, would do the same in Africa if allowed to determine African thought and action in areas of politics, law, justice, economics, commerce, marriage, government and administration. This will not imply throwing away some valuable aspects of the traditional religion and culture but rather enhancing them with valid aspects of Christian teaching and faith.Professor Onunwa is the author of many books including Studies in Igbo Traditional Religion and Culture (1990), African Spirituality (1992 - reprinted 2005), Glossary of African Traditions and Culture (1995), Confessing Christ in All Cultures (1998), Selected Themes in African Religion and Culture (2000), Studies in African Religion and Culture: A Critique of Methodologies (2004