Theology and development in Africa

Abstract

This chapter discusses theology and development in Africa from historical and thematic perspectives. The Christian faith in the African continent has assumed a triadic movement—as a search for wealth, health, and hope—in its present emergence as a central driver of social change in Africa. In order to give a full account of how theologies in Africa are articulating these realities in terms of African development, the chapter historicizes six conceptual and theoretical frameworks for development discourse in theology in Africa, in dialogue with the social Gospel traditions in Christianity. It surveys the approaches of churches in Africa to development through their social ministries within the context of the social Gospel prophetic traditions. Finally, the chapter proposes an alternative language of discourse through three proposed typologies of theology and development in Africa, namely a theology of hope, a theology of marginality, and a theology of abundant life.