Abstract
In this article, the author challenges the popular public conception that Christianity in Africa is a latecomer introduced only with the advent of colonialism. By tracing the origins of the Christian faith in both North and sub-Saharan Africa (including, North-Central and West Africa), this paper seeks to show that Christianity has been in Africa virtually since its inception and that the continent’ s own adherents to this faith played an important role in the formation and advance of Christianity elsewhere. Moreover, Christianity in Africa can be found almost everywhere on the continent and indigenous varieties of the tradition developed which allowed it to become as part of Africa as African traditional religions.
Highlights
Many people today, both in Africa and elsewhere, tend to believe that the introduction of Christianity to the continent is a relatively recent phenomenon
By tracing the origins of the Christian faith in both North and sub-Saharan Africa, this paper seeks to show that Christianity has been in Africa virtually since its inception and that the continent’s own adherents to this faith played an important role in the formation and advance of Christianity elsewhere
Christianity in Africa can be found almost everywhere on the continent and indigenous varieties of the tradition developed which allowed it to become as part of Africa as African traditional religions
Summary
Both in Africa and elsewhere, tend to believe that the introduction of Christianity to the continent is a relatively recent phenomenon. One of the grounds alleged in favour of this view is the appeal to statistical data that suggest that, at the beginning of the twentieth century, only 3% of the African population were classified as Christians Another aspect referred to is the fact that most of the denominations and indigenous churches have a history of existence of no more than two centuries. The inquiry will be divided into four sections: After a brief introduction, the earliest traces of Christianity in Africa will be assessed, with regard to the developments in the first centuries of the common era in North Africa This is followed by a critical examination of modern attempts to Christianize Africa (especially in sub-Saharan Africa). The article seeks to appraise the state of Christianity in Africa from its inception to the present and concludes with a synthesis of the abovementioned topics
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