Faces and phases of Protestantism in African contexts : the Jacobus Capitein heritage

Abstract

This essay explores the shape, form, tone, and outlook of Protestantism on the African continent. I present the argument that, by and large, ‘African Protestantism’ is of a different order for its Euro-American counterparts. In order to illustrate and pursue this line of argument, the case study of Jacobus Capitein, a 17th century African slave who was to later become the first Protestant minister trained in theology is advanced. Capitein, together with his work as a pastor at the slave castle called Elmina near the Ghanaian city of Cape Coast in Ghana, is held up as a mirror of African Protestantism. The essay concludes with a discussion about the prospects of Protestant Christianity in Africa.