Matthew Michael

Christian Theology and African Traditions: Matthew Michael

Christian theology is increasingly recognized to be now a non-western enterprise since the high concentrations of Christians in the world are no longer found in the Western societies. Christian Theology and African Traditions takes seriously this present recognition of the southward movement of Christianity from the western world to a non-western setting. It seeks to reposition Christian theology and faith to engage the African traditions in classical category of theology proper, bibliology, anthropology, Christology, pneumatology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology and provides unique insights and problems that these classical and systematic categories poses to African Christianity. Similarly, it provides theological blueprint for non-Africans who are interested in knowing the nature and shape of the Christian theology in non-western settings. Consequently, Christian Theology and African Traditions goes beyond the mere criticism of Western misrepresentation of African traditions to seeing how the Christian theology in its systematic character engages the African traditions. With this methodological template, the work describes in the space of twelve chapters the different classical teachings of the Christian faith on God, scriptures, spirits and demons, the nature of the human person, the persons of Christ, salvation, the Holy Spirit, the church, and the future life in dialogue with some specific traditions of the African people. "This book is not only an authentic attempt to bring Christian systematic theology into serious interaction with African traditions, but it serves as a guide to other endeavors in global theological education and proper theology discourse. This book deserves a lively interaction among theologians and practitioners, even if they do not agree with all of Michael's conclusions." --Riad Kassis, International Director, International Council for Evangelical Theological Education "Michael's treatment of the contemporary historical Jesus debate, the African christological quest, salvation, the Holy Spirit, the church, the spirit world in Africa, and eschatology is quite refreshing. This book promises to be an immense resource for students and teachers in Bible colleges, theological seminaries, and universities, and pastors and Christians at large in Africa." --Gwamna Dogara Je'adayibe, Nasarawa State University, Keffi "This book is a like a three-legged stool: it presents a concise summary of basic doctrines as formulated in Western Christianity, matches these with traditions that influence Christian faith and practice in Africa, and critiques both in the light of the biblical text. It is a sturdy piece of work created by joining careful research with easy articulation. Readers will appreciate such solid furniture on which to sit down to further conversations on the subject!" --Havilah Dharamraj, Academic Dean, South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies