African Renaissance and Religion: The Birth of an African Renaissance Theology

Abstract

The term African Renaissance is being widely spread among African scholars. Its controversial usus loquendi and definition have been the subject of a considerable number of printed essays already in circulation on the Internet and various sources of the media (see references list). Scholars, intellectuals, and the public have not found a common ground on whether this is a phenomenon or an ideal; however, the idea of the rebirth of some sort of africanism (e.g., cognitive process, culture, political ideals, economic structure, etc.) seems to be the common denominator of a present or immanent African Renaissance according to Miller (1993), Marable (1995), and Wa Thiong'o (1996). Africans believe they are entering a new era that is being referred to as the African Renaissance. This era, if properly defined, could impact the value system of all Africans who are searching for their lost cultural heritage. The search for a lost cultural heritage may be reflected in Christian churches and schools that emulate Western-based curriculums and Western forms of expression (e.g., language, music, forms of praise and worship, administration, etc.). African scholars who desire to see the progress of both Christian theology and Christian education in the renascent should take seriously the impact of the African Renaissance on both fields of studies. Christian theology contains traces of the different civilizations such as European (Eastern and Western), American, and recently, African. Africa, in its attempt to affirm itself in the world of Christian theology, has moved into different stages of expression because of the influence of Western-oriented education (Miller, 1993, pp. 1-4). The African Renaissance appears to be an unavoidable trend that could impact both African Christian theology and Christian education. This paper intends to discuss some of the effects that the African Renaissance will have on religion, in particular Christian theology and education. This is not an exhaustive study of the subject but it aims at drawing inference from various authors to make Africa aware of the importance of the phenomena. The African Renaissance cannot be understood through a fragmentation of its various social components, i.e., religion, culture, economy, identity, education, etc. Africa is a continent of interrelationships in which all aspects of life are interrelated. To separate education from culture, economy, identity and religion is to do injustice to the continent and its people. It is often stated that African people are very religious, so it follows that religion is an integral part of life in the African's modus vivendi. Most of us are fascinated with the idea and the philosophies that characterize the African Renaissance phenomenon and embrace them as new and revolutionary; however, those who lived in the 60's and earlier years know that this is not a new phenomenon, but rather a semi-dormant one that is being revived. In this paper I decided to focus on Christian theology because religion is complex and takes various shapes. The narrowing of the topic intends to aid me to avoid inaccurate generalizations and to reduce the level of misconceptions.