Crucial aspects of an authentic and relevant African Christian theology

Abstract

This article proposes a whole new method of Africanising Christian theology. The author argues that there are three aspects that should be considered if we are to have a theology that would be authentic and relevant for Africa. Those aspects are indigenisation of the Church, inculturation of the Gospel, and democratisation of Africa. In order for such an African Theology to be more than just theistic but distinctly and uniquely Christian, it must be immersed and grounded in the doctrine of the Incarnation. Under indigenisation, the author looks at issues such as ritual, religion, myth, prayer and worship, and under inculturation, he examines culture, morality, ethos, taboos, theology and praxis. Under democratisation, the author takes up issues pertaining to socio-economic justice, development, reconstruction, and multi-party democracy, the rule of law, good governance, accountability, constitutionality and transparency.