Abstract

MICHAEL, Matthew. Reformation & African Christianity - Mapping the Transitional Movement of African Christianity from the Margin of Classical Reformation to the Centre of Modern Reformation. Missionalia (Online) [online]. 2020, vol.48, n.1, pp.7-22. ISSN 2312-878X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.7832/48-1-236.

Celebrating 500 hundred years of reformation around the world, there is a need to re-engage the missionary character of the reformation and its significant impact on African Christianity as African Christianity currently appears to house the reforma-tional ideals of the Christian faith. The present study examines the historic impact of the ideals of the reformation within African Christianity. In particular, the paper describes the significant movement of African Christianity from the margins of the reformation, to the centre of global Christianity, and the attending cultural politics, which invigorate this important missionary enterprise. Similarly, the paper underscores the missionary quest of the reformers to contextualise Christianity within their different cultural domains, and the importance of this missiological endeavour for modern African Christianity. Consequently, the study reiterates the emerging patterns in the praxis of African Christianity, which resonate with the specific trends and trajectories of reformation and its indebtedness to this important religious heritage.

Keywords : African Christianity; Reformed Christianity; Christian missions; Cultural politics; Contextualisation; Evangelicals; African Reformation; Catholicism.

        · text in English     · English ( pdf )