Abstract

There is an ongoing challenge in defining African theology because of two important reasons: (1) the quest for a definitive African theology is a fairly recent pursuit and (2) the vastness and diversity of the African continent. Given this, this article presents the complexity of defining African theology and its methodological approaches through a background sketch of the development of African theology. Regardless of many definitions of African theology and its purposes, the article acknowledges African Christian theology as theology that should be derived from the interplay between Scripture, Christian tradition and African cosmology. In deriving theology from the aforementioned aspects, African theology should also seek to develop contextual African theologies with global relevance. In this way, African theology can claim its space in the universal church. Although we are conscious of the values and challenges associated with the task of doing African theology, we argue for its necessity. We further argue that if the centrality of Scripture is maintained in the African theological endeavour, it will cause African theologies to have some shared reference point with other Christian theologies and hence engaging globally, while contributing unique African perspectives to global theological discourse.

Highlights

  • There is a considerable amount of research (i.e. Mashau & Fredricks 2008; McGlory 2016; Tiénou 1990; West 2008) which depicts the difficulty and complexity of the task of describing, defining and accurately assessing African theology

  • The significance of the task of African Christian theology becomes more heightened in the face of the spread of Christianity in Africa along with the attendant need to remain faithful to the essentials of the Christian faith

  • The significance of the task of African Christian theology becomes more heightened in the face of the spread of Christianity in Africa, along with the attendant need to remain faithful to the essentials of the Christian faith

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Summary

Introduction

There is a considerable amount of research (i.e. Mashau & Fredricks 2008; McGlory 2016; Tiénou 1990; West 2008) which depicts the difficulty and complexity of the task of describing, defining and accurately assessing African theology. Mashau & Fredricks 2008; McGlory 2016; Tiénou 1990; West 2008) which depicts the difficulty and complexity of the task of describing, defining and accurately assessing African theology. Speckman (2016) shows concerns for the need for such widening relevance He emphasises African identity and frameworks as central, but maintains that African Biblical hermeneutics has moved from a state of liminality into a cul-de-sac. He proposes a ‘celebration of life framework’ as the way forward. Both West and McGlory consign scripture to the margins of the African theological endeavour

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