Soteriology on the interface of traditional African religion and Christianity: Engaging Bediako’s soteriology and a soteriological alternative

Vhumani Magezi,Christopher Magezi

doi:10.4102/ids.v50i1.2068

Abstract

Many African scholars such as Bolaji Idowu, Mbiti, Bediako and others have posed a question about the interrelationship between traditional African religion and Christianity. Some scholars tend to exalt traditional African religion at the expense of the biblical meaning of salvation, as well as undermining the value of traditional African religion. In seeking to establish the interface between traditional African religion and Christianity, this article engages Bediako as one of the most influential African theologians who has thoroughly considered traditional African religion as a preparation for the Gospel. This approach has a danger of misidentifying the unique place of Israel in God’s redemptive history, as well as diminishing the biblical meaning of conversion and the newness of the Gospel. Thus, in contrast to Bediako’s inclusivism position, the article offers an alternative approach which argues that God’s general revelation in all pre-Christian traditional religions is a non-preparation for the Gospel. This is because in Pauline theology (Rm 1:18–32), general revelation grants humanity a very limited insight into the divine nature.

Highlights

Christianity entails shifting belonging and allegiance from one kingdom to the other, namely, from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light
It borders on diminishing the value of traditional African religion, whilst on the other hand, it challenges one to consider what and how salvation was achieved before missionaries
Bediako 1995:82–83; 1999:244–245; Bujo 1992:81; Nyamiti 2006:16) have attempted to draw a relationship between traditional African religious teachings and Christian teachings of salvation in Christ. Whilst this suggests that the subject has been addressed by many African scholars such as John Mbiti, Bolaji Idowu, Kwame Bediako and others, there has been little reflection and engagement with Kwame Bediako (1945–2008) as one of the key theologians who has articulated salvation from its interface with Christianity as taught in the New Testament (Asamoah-Gyadu 2009:9)

Summary

Introduction

Christianity entails shifting belonging and allegiance from one kingdom to the other, namely, from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Thereafter, the researchers will consider the implications of Bediako’s stance (on the interface between traditional African religion and Christianity) for the biblical meaning of salvation. In using this biblical passage, Bediako contends that Christ is the fulfillment of the religious aspirations in traditional African religion, as God’s general revelation is within preChristian religions as a preparation for the Gospel.

Results

Conclusion