African Theological Journal for Church and Society

Appropriating John Stott’s Concept of Holy-Worldliness towards Reformulating the Political Curriculum of Christianity in Africa

Gentleman Dogara — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:32:14 +0200

This study appropriates John Stott’s concept of “holy-worldliness” to God’s call upon
Christians from the world, and sending them out to be immersed in the affairs of the world
as Christ’s ambassadors, by localizing Christ’s political curriculum to Africa. Examples of
this localizing process were generated from Nigeria. Two research questions guided this
study. Question 1: How can John Stott’s Concept of Holy-Worldliness be appropriated,
towards reformulating the Political Curriculum of Christianity in Africa, using examples
from Nigeria? Question 2: How can John Stott’s Concept of Holy-Worldliness be
appropriated, towards solidifying the Political Curriculum of Christianity in Africa, using
examples from Nigeria? The study concludes by calling Africa Christians to consider
establishing one “African Christian School of Politics and Governance”, on the auspices of
theological schools in Africa. This school would be mandated to drill African Christian
politicians at the highest levels of the Political Curriculum of Christianity in Africa.

Mineral Extraction, Human Rights Violations, and the Church’s Social Responsibility in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Emmanuel Ojeifo — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:33:08 +0200

The rights and dignity of citizens, especially women and children, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are being violated by local and foreign actors, including five United States tech firms, accused of subjecting the people to hazardous and dehumanising working conditions in mining sites, in the quest for the country’s mineral resources, such as cobalt, copper, tin, tungsten, and tantalum. Research has linked the extraction of these minerals to toxic contamination that has resulted in negative health outcomes in women and children and grave violations of human rights such as forced evictions of communities from farmlands and homesteads, sexual assault, arson, and beatings. Locating this mode of violence and exploitation within the neocolonial and neoliberal logic of the sacrifice of African lives, this paper undertakes a critical historical, political, economic, and theological approach to analyse the violence and argues that various stakeholders, especially the church in DRC, have a crucial role to play in standing up against the violence and exploitation going on in DRC and in working for justice, peace, development, and restoration of the dignity and value of human life in the country. At the heart of the paper is the conviction that African lives matter.

The Africa We (and God) Want :

Seyram B. Amenyedzi — Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0200

In May 2013, the African Union (AU), formerly the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with the adoption of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. This treaty marked a shift from the union’s historical focus on independence and anti-apartheid struggles to a vision of Africa as a global powerhouse. Envisioned as a fifty-year master plan, Agenda 2063 emphasises Pan-Africanism, sustainable development, peace, freedom, security, and continental integration. Among its key aspirations is Aspiration 6, which seeks to empower and unlock the potential of women and young people as critical contributors to the continent’s transformation. This article examines the church’s role in addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with Aspiration 6. It highlights the significance of a contextual-missio Dei approach to public, feminist, womanist, child, and youth theologies, advocating for practical frameworks to promote equity and inclusivity. The paper concludes by proposing strategies for integrating these theological perspectives to ensure equal opportunities for women and young people in homes, churches, and broader society, aligning with the broader goals of Agenda 2063.

Engaging Theological Education with Young People for Urban Flourishing

Otieno Oguok — Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This article situates theological education within the strategic vision of contributing to an emerging, thriving African city. It examines the challenges and opportunities that face urban youth, particularly in Nairobi, and then offers creative strategies that theological education can employ to empower and engage young people to take an active role in shaping the futures of their cities. This article does a case analysis study intended to bring in insights and suggestions for churches, para-church organisations, and theological training institutions desirous of effectively equipping the young person with the necessary knowledge, character, and skills needed to demonstrate the love of Christ and produce a meaningful Kingdom of God impact on African urban growth and well-being.

Exploring Current Development of Pastoral Care in Africa Through a Relational View of the Trinity

Ebenezer Tetteh Kpalam — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:37:23 +0200

Pastoral care in Africa has gone through series of changes and been adorned by many colours since the entry of Christian mission to the continent. It began as a theological discipline but later became interdisciplinary, drawing from psychology, anthropology, and others. With the influx of African theological reflections on pastoral care, different themes and approaches continue to emerge. Current discourse on pastoral care on the continent favours communal care instead of individualisation of care. The concept of care of the community by the whole community finds its expression in the African communitarian ethos. The article conducts a contextual analysis of pastoral care in Africa through a relational view of the Trinity. The paper concludes that a relational view of the Trinity provides a stronger foundation for a contemporary, context-specific, communal pastoral care in Africa.

Assessing Women's Leadership in the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda :

Jonas Musengimana — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:38:09 +0200

This paper assesses the challenges and opportunities for woman leadership within the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda, specifically in governance roles. Drawing upon a document analysis and survey, the study examines the barriers faced by women leaders within the presbyterian church in attaining to leadership positions and the opportunities available for their advancement. It discusses two positions about the correct roles for females in church leadership and rejects the complementarian position, which believes that women should not be allowed to participate in leadership positions initially reserved for males. This study supports the egalitarian position, which asserts that men and women should share equally in church leadership. Though presbyterian women face various challenges, like the low number of women with theological degrees and their cultural context, they are now in different church leadership positions. The Presbyterian Church in Rwanda has a good number of opportunities available to women, including access to theological training, eldership, and deaconship. This study shows that empowering women within the church not only benefits the individual women themselves but also enriches the entire faith community and contributes to the church’s mission of serving the broader society. The study recommends that the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda should continue to expand access to theological education for women by offering scholarship support for their studies, implementing policies and practices that promote gender equality within its governance, and creating opportunities for women leaders to collaborate and network with one another, as well as with women leaders from other denominations and organisations.

Prophetic Obsession and its Challenges in African Churches

Jonathan Aminu Abbas — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:38:54 +0200

This research critically examines the unchecked rise of questionable prophetic practices in Africa, exposing their distortion of biblical teachings and exploitation of vulnerable believers. It challenges the growing trend of elevating prophetic utterances above scripture, which fosters manipulation, deception, and spiritual confusion. The study explores the corruption of prophecy within contemporary African Christianity and its societal consequences, particularly the misinterpretation of divine messages for personal gain. Employing qualitative research, it analyses prevailing prophetic traditions, their harmful effects, and the urgent need for theological accountability. This paper calls for a reformation that prioritises biblical truth, encourages daily scripture engagement over prophetic sensationalism, and rejects unverified prophetic claims that undermine sound doctrine.

Power-Purity Pneumatology for African Pentecostalism

Abel A. Alamu — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:39:37 +0200

Africa once again occupies a strategic place in the history of Christianity as one of its chief centres when the religion is somewhat receding in the West. This development is reminiscent of the pivotal role the continent had earlier played in the formative years of Christianity. Historical records show that places such as Alexandria, Carthage, Hippo and Ethiopia produced prominent Christian theologians of that time. As Christianity today grows in Africa, there is a noticeable increase in the influence of African Pentecostalism that is shaping African Christianity. However, the current growth of African Christianity has yet to translate into the widespread and holistic significance it exerted in the early centuries, as African Christianity still attracts the stereotype of being “a mile wide, but only one inch deep”. Therefore, this paper employs historical analysis to present a power-purity pneumatology to reinvigorate African Pentecostalism and, in turn, impact African Christianity generally.

The Preacher as 'Fool for Christ' :

Hassan Musa — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:40:50 +0200

What is preaching? How does preaching the gospel relate to risk? And what can we learn from the unconventional image of the pastor or preacher as a risk taker for the sake of the glory of God? This article focuses on the significance of the practice of preaching, especially within a particular unconventional perspective or imagery: that of the preacher as a clown or jester or even as risk taker. The aim of this article is the close reading of Paul’s new or strange imagery of the preacher as a ‘fool’ for Christ (1 Corinthians 4:9–10) and how that continues to generate new ideas and thoughts about preaching in twenty-first-century Africa. On another hand this article is also an attempt to provide a kind of reception study on the preaching legacy and practical passion of one our scholars at the Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University, namely Professor Johan Cilliers. His preaching life and teaching has been closely examined in this study with the particular aim of raising the question of preaching in a more practical, though unconventional, sense, in an African context: Nigeria, which is structured traditionally within a high culture of honour and shame. The idea of the foolishness of preaching or being clownish for the sake of the gospel remains the actual productive pattern of this article. It is presented as a reminder and in appreciation for the life of one of the unknown heroes of faith in Nigeria, a dedicated and sacrificial pastor, the late Rev. Ibrahim Garba,^[1] whose life and memory will continue to challenge us to be faithful to the Lord in the midst of all risks, even of preaching.

^[1] On 17 November 2023, I received news of the passing away of Rev. Ibrahim Garba. He was a dedicated ECWA pastor whom I was privileged to teach at some point at ECWA Theological Seminary, Kagoro. After a few years his son Solomon Ibrahim also joined us at the seminary as a very humble but dedicated young pastor-in-training. It was a great pleasure to meet and share some good time with Rev. Garba. Through his son Solomon I got to know where they were posted to serve for the sake of preaching the gospel. Metaphorically, we call the area the lion’s den of Kaduna State; it was in Birnin Gwari area. For more than two decades the area has been captured by and under the control of brutal bandits. Many pastors who were sent to the place had earlier declined. But Rev. Garba is one of the few who risked their lives and the comfort of their family to go and serve there amidst high banditry for the sake of the gospel. The worship service at his church has been frequently disrupted because of series of attacks from the bandits. Many of his members have been kidnapped, and some even killed. He and his family have put themselves at great risks every day and night to live in that village. One of the high risks was also to go to the farm in search of what to eat. Many farms have been taken over by the bandits. Many young boys have been conscripted into the banditry gang. Weapons were everywhere and life was constantly at risk. In the midst of that, Rev. Ibrahim Garba promised God and his family to still stay there and serve even while many members have left the area because of fear. His stay there yielded a lot of fruit. Many people were blessed by his life and ministry. Close to the end of his life he was kidnapped for some days but later released miraculously unharmed. He was a man of great prayer, simple faith, and sacrifice to the Lord and humanity. He had been battling with some health challenges for years, and this year the Lord decided to call him home and take his glorious rest. His passing was peaceful – that gave me a lot of comfort – even for his immediate family. He risked his life for the sake of the gospel and he was preserved by the Lord until the very end.

The Tentmaking Ministry of Apostle Paul and its Replication in the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Nigeria

FELIX AKINTUNDE — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:41:46 +0200

Insufficient remuneration is given to gospel ministers in many Nigerian churches. Some churches may not even pay their ministers regularly. Undoubtedly, many churches have fallen short of their financial support commitments to their clergy. However, Apostle Paul renounced his claim to receive financial assistance from the church and chose to work with his hands to protect the gospel’s integrity lest the gospel be hindered. This paper, therefore, addresses the tentmaking ministry of Apostle Paul and its replication in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Nigeria. The paper adopted the historical-critical exegetical method to explain the chosen biblical texts and the ethnographic method to elicit data from respondents in the RCCG, Oyo Province 9, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study reveals that many RCCG pastors adopted the tentmaking method of Apostle Paul, labouring diligently to expand the church of Christ without taking remuneration from the church after the order of Apostle Paul.

The Contribution of the Study of the Near-Death Experience to the Christian Concept of Resurrection

Stephen Hosea Vongdip, Agai Matthew Jock — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:42:43 +0200

The near-death experience (NDE) is argued to be strictly a feeling that the percipient regards as a reality, yet some say it is strictly a brain malfunction that allows visions of various images to be seen and stored in human memory. Percipients of the NDE have reported a feeling of separation from their physical bodies. They claim that there is a spiritual body in them that rises above, leaving their physical bodies behind during their near-death experiences. Christians have a fundamental belief that Jesus was resurrected from death with a physical body that was also spiritual or supra in nature, and they also believe that those who died in Christ shall be resurrected, but with what kind of body shall they be resurrected? The NDE is a pre-death experience while resurrection is a post-death experience. However, both experiences suggest the emanation of a unique or supra being from the body and, while resurrection encourages a reunification of the body and soul, the NDE encourages a separation between the body and the soul. The question regarding the nature of the resurrection body is the focus of this research. The researchers argue that the study of the NDE can contribute to elucidating the nature of the resurrection body. This research is literary and comparative in approach because the views of various authors are evaluated in the search to establish the connection between the resurrection body and the NDE supra body.

The Theology of Music in African Spiritualities

Dorcas Juma — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:43:15 +0200

This paper examines the theology of music within African spiritualities through a post-Covid-19 perspective, centring on Psalm 121 in dialogue with the song Jerusalema by Master KG featuring Nomcebo. Music, as a theological tool, offers transformative possibilities for encountering God during times of emptiness and despair. In particular, Jerusalema emerged as a global anthem of hope during the Covid-19 pandemic, symbolising resilience and life affirmation. By dancing to its beat across cultures, people worldwide experienced joy amidst suffering. This study proposes that the theology of music has the power to renew spiritualities, creating space for experiencing God in both absence and fullness. It also highlights how African music more broadly, fosters ongoing conversations on sustaining hope through spiritual practices. Through a post-pandemic hermeneutical lens, this paper puts the biblical song of ascent in Psalm 121 in dialogue with Jerusalema to offer a prophetic vision of renewed hope and flourishing in pain and suffering.

Review of 'The Kingdom of God in Africa : A History of African Christianity (Revised and Updated)'

Ryan Faber — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:44:15 +0200

African Theological Journal for Church and Society

NetACT Staff — Tue, 06 May 2025 08:44:42 +0200

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