Interculturation: Exploring Changing Religious, Cultural, and Faith Identities in an African Context

Abstract

Inculturation, as a theological concept, needs more understanding. An improved understanding suggests invoking the term interculturation to describe the dialogical process between Christian religion and other cultures with diverse religious worldviews. This article suggests that evangelisation and educating in faith encompasses a mutual reciprocal partnership between religious and non-religious cultures in order that the gospel can transform them to reveal God's vision for humankind. This vision is manifested for Christians in the Reign of God. The Turkana nomads of Kenya are a case study in which an exploration of religious interculturation takes place to effect significant changes in Christian and Turkana religious identity. The gospel is proclaimed through dialogue and witness that expresses itself through appropriate cultural materials that have the capacity for transcending the particularity of cultures. The article concludes with some reflections on the implications of interculturation for worldwide religious education.