Understanding African Socio-Cultural Context: Contemporary Challenges to Christian Missions in the 21st Century.
Abstract
Heuristically, the paper seeks to understand the religious perception of Africans otherwise regarded as the indigenous people and their contact with the missionary message. It adopts a historical, hermeneutical, and critical interpretation of some preconceived ideas about Africans as well as their reactions to the gospel message. It discovers that the introduction of the faith was done with clear intentions; slavery and economic exploitation, prejudices, and hence the demeaning attitude and bastardisation of the rich socio-cultural background of the people. However, the wisdom of the continent paved the way for the accommodation of messages. The paper concludes by recommending the following as some of the way forward: the messenger bearing the message should seek to know the socio-cultural background of African tradition, the Jesus’ attitude of non-condemnation should be adopted as a global standard for all missionary volunteers to present-day Africa in order to put on record the right perspective about the people and lastly, African charismatic which has played a dominant role in the daily lives of the people has been enculturated into the life of the churches in Africa as evidenced in the dance pattern and gospel music, these should be greatly encouraged.
Downloads
References
Achebe, C. (1958). Things Fall Apart. England: Heinemann Pearson Education Publishers
Adamo, D.T. (2001) “The Use of African Indigenous Medicine in African Indigenous Churches in Nigeria”, Journal of Urgent Anthropological Research, no 39, (1997-1998), 71-100, Vienna, Austria.
Adamo, D.T. (2001) Reading and Interpreting the Bible in African Indigenous Churches, Oregon, USA: WIPF and Stock Publishers.
Erivwo, S.U. (1991). Traditional Religion and Christianity in Nigeria, Ekpoma: BENSU.
Ubrurhe, J.O. (2010). Annotated Lecture Notes on African Traditional Religion. Abraka: Delta State University
Adamo, D.T. (2005). Reading and Interpreting the Bible in African Indigenous Churches. Benin City: Justice Jeco Press and Publishers Limited.
Babalola, E.O. (1988). Christianity in West Africa. Ibadan: BRPC Limited.
Barbara, S. (1985). Letter of Appreciation to Elder G.O. Isiorhovoja of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Erho-Abraka on the occasion of her send-forth back to Eku Baptist Hospital.
Barrett, D.B. (1968). Schisms and Renewal in Africa. Kenya: Oxford University Press.
Boje, E.A. (2010). Annotated Lecture Notes on African Traditional Religion. Eku: Baptist Theological Seminary.
Easton, M.G. (1978) Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House.
Erivwo, S.U. (1991). Traditional Religion and Christianity in Nigeria, Ekpoma: BENSU.
Ubrurhe, J.O. (2010). Annotated Lecture Notes on African Traditional Religion. Abraka: Delta State University
Evans-Pritchard, E. E. (1971). Sources, with particular reference to the Southern Sudan. Cahiers d'études africaines, 11(Cahier 41), 129-179.
Imasogie, O. (1985). African traditional religion.
Isiorhovoja, C. (1957). Granted Interview Record in Family History Diary. Abraka.
Isiorhovoja, G.O. (1985). Recorded interview transcribed in the Family Diary, Abraka.
Isiorhovoja, U.O., Okobia, F.O and Bubu, A. G. (2011) “Re-Thinking Marxist Opium Ideology: The Urhobo Experience” Continental Journal of Arts and Humanities, Vol.3 (1), Pp.11-17.
Isiorhovoja, U.O., Banwune, E.D and Okobia, F. O (2011) “Rethinking Totemism among the Urhobo Traditional Religions as a Means of Nature Care” Continental Journal of Arts and Humanities, Vol.3(2), Pp. 9-14.
Majoroh, A. (1991). Oral Interview granted the Researcher at the permission of His Royal Majesty, Ojeta II, Akpomeyoma Majoroh at Ojeta- Abraka.
Mbiti, J. S. (1991). Introduction to African Religion. Nairobi: East African Educational Publishers.
Morris, L. (1985). ‘The Gospel of John’ in Barker, K. (ed). NIV Study Bible.
Oduyoye, M. A. (1979). The value of African religious beliefs and practices for Christian theology. na.
Onibere, S.G.A. (2005). Annotated Note Lecture on REL 906 Advanced African traditional Religion. Abraka: Delta State University.
Peel, J. D. (1978). The Christianization of African society: Some possible models. Christianity in Independent Africa. London: Rex Collins.
Ray, B. C. (1976). African religions: symbol, ritual, and community. Prentice-Hall.
Ubrurhe, J.O. (2010). Annotated Lecture Notes on African Traditional Religion. Abraka: Delta State University.
Copyright (c) 2021 Osbert Uyovwieyovwe Isiorhovoja, PhD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.