The historical foundation of the mission churches and Afrian Independent Churches in South Africa: matters of the church and the environment
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Authors
Madise, Mokhele
Issue Date
2013-12
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
Churches , African Independent Churches , South Africa , History
Alternative Title
Abstract
The missionaries established the Christian church in South Africa without access to any proper
building structures. They discovered that the local people relied on the environment for their
survival and sustainability, so the missionaries decided to do the same as a means to get the
indigenous people to understand the importance of worship. However, it was not easy for the
missionaries to adapt to the harsh African climate and conditions. The Africans had their own
ways of withstanding these harsh conditions; taking shelter under trees and in caves was just part
of their existence. So, to ensure that their work continued, the missionaries had no alternative but
to do the same. Churches were therefore established under the trees. For some ethnic groups, these
trees were significant, while for others, they carried no meaning at all. Nevertheless, the
environment became part of the church structure, as trees, caves and water were used to establish
the church.
Although the mainline churches regarded water as an essential source of life, they viewed
it differently from the African Initiated Churches. The main focus of this article, therefore, will be
on the use of water as an environmental resource by both the African Independent Churches and
the mission churches. In this regard, Taung became a particularly significant place.
The article will focus on original material, as well as oral research from some areas where
the practice of worshipping in caves and under trees is still observed.
Description
Peer reviewed
Citation
Madise, Mokhele 2013, "The historical foundation of the mission churches and Afrian Independent Churches in South Africa: matters of the church and the environment", Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 71-81.
Publisher
Church History Society of Southern Africa
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
1017-0499