The Life, Works, and Witness of Tsehay Tolessa and Gudina Tumsa, The Ethiopian Bonhoeffer ed. by Samuel Yonas Deressa and Sarah Hinlicky Wilson

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Life, Works, and Witness of Tsehay Tolessa and Gudina Tumsa, The Ethiopian Bonhoeffered. by Samuel Yonas Deressa and Sarah Hinlicky Wilson Clayton Faulkner The Life, Works, and Witness of Tsehay Tolessa and Gudina Tumsa, The Ethiopian Bonhoeffer. Edited by Samuel Yonas Deressa and Sarah Hinlicky Wilson. Lutheran Quarterly Books. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2017. 263 pp. This work documents the life and work of two Ethiopian Lutherans:Tsehay Tolessa (1931–2014) and Gudina Tumsa (1929–1979). The first section contains the theological writings of Gudina Tumsa, the General Secretary of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (1966–1979). The second section, In the Fiery Furnace, is an autobiographical narrative written by Tsehay Tolessa with Aud Sæverås. A foreword by Darrell Jodock, an editor's introduction and concluding editorial remarks on the legacy of Gudina Tumsa, as well as an appendix by Gudina's brother, a bibliography, and subject and scripture indices, round out the book. The work's two main purposes can be seen in its two sections. One is to tell the heart-wrenching story of two great people of faith. The other is to disseminate to a wider audience the theological works of a Lutheran martyr. Tsehay and Gudina were married in 1951. He became an influential leader not only in Ethiopia, but also in the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Tsehay raised a family and supported Gudina even though his ministry took him from home for long periods of time. Gudina was kidnapped and murdered by the Communist Derg regime, leading to his portrayal as the African Bonhoeffer. She was imprisoned for a long time, faced unimaginable hardships, and fortunately survived to tell their stories. [End Page 104] Gudina Tumsa's writings offer insights into a growing Christian movement in a context quite unfamiliar to the Western world. He gives clarity and definition to how the gospel meets the great needs of the developing world. "We therefore see the development of the inner man [sic] as a prerequisite for a healthy and lasting development of our society" (38–39). He understood the Small Catechism's explanation that daily bread goes beyond food to include money, property, and good government (The Lord's Prayer, Fourth Petition). He worked tirelessly to see the Ethiopian government reformed for the good of all. He also critiqued those in the global Lutheran church who quickly funded developmental projects while hesitating to pay for evangelization efforts. He promoted a holistic approach to ministry in Ethiopia. Ethiopia has a record of independence from western imperialism. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has been in existence for nearly as long as Christianity. The country's government has been intertwined with the Orthodox Church since its beginning. Such a lengthy, proud history of independence made outside influence questionable for many Ethiopians. Protestant missionaries did not show up in Ethiopia until the end of the nineteenth century. Gudina Tumsa is careful throughout his dialogue with the western Lutheran churches to protect the interests of Ethiopians. He actually credits the evangelistic spread of Lutheranism to the missionaries' departure during World War II (27). This text does a tremendous service by providing the first English translation of Tsehay Tolessa's powerful story, and presenting it alongside the theological and church governance writings of Gudina Tumsa. Also important is what this text represents to the broader church. The Lutheran Church in Ethiopia has over seven million members and is one of the largest bodies in the LWF. They have sustained a level of growth that should make them the de facto leaders of our global communion. It is time for their theology and their narratives to be shared and to influence the rest of the world. This text is a solid step in that direction. Anyone with interests in global Christianity, especially in Africa and developing countries, will here find a wealth of material. It is a wonderful source for [End Page 105]understanding the Lutheran church in Ethiopia. It has application in both academic and devotional settings, thanks to the mixture of theological praxis in Gudina Tumsa's writings and personal faith in Tsehay Tolessa's narrative. I have traveled to Ethiopia twice, each time to bring...