Why do we act like Origen and Augustine spoke German?
It may not have been his intent, but Thomas C. Oden’s How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind left me 
wondering why non-Western cultures are generally viewed as less intellectual and intuitive than those from the West. I’ve noticed this bias in myself when reading works by Origen and Augustine (and other early Christian scholars), in that I never picture them as African. In my mind they are maybe Greek, but they somehow speak with a bit of a German accent. Sort of as if Plato were melded together with Bonhoeffer. A quick Google Images search tells me I’m not alone in this. Most paintings and drawings of Augustine and Origen portray distinctly European features rather than African. Of course, the same thing happens when I Google Jesus, but I guess that’s a discussion for another day.
Maybe the most striking difference between Oden’s observations about scholarly ignorance (or denial) of Christianity’s deep African roots and those who simply rail against the lack of non-Western voices in theology, is that Oden has a plan to change it – teach the stories of early African Christianity to African children. (11) Rather than argue about oral vs. written traditions, Oden 
suggests these magnificent stories be told to African children, written down, and shared from continent to continent. Oden’s contention is that even African scholars have ignored Africa’s early Christian contributions and this has led to a self-perception among African’s that their intellect is somehow lacking and that their oral traditions are sub-par to Western written traditions. (26-27) Oden claims that putting the vibrant stories of African martyrs and saints into the hands and hearts of African children will begin the process of restoring confidence in African contributions to theology and the roots of Christianity.
Going back to my earlier comment about the biases held against non-Western cultures, I realized while reading Oden’s book that the subtle lack in self-esteem and deference to Western academia is a refrain I heard in Brazil and Argentina, and even in Galilee. How odd it seems to me that the people who walk where Jesus walked feel they need to study Western systematic theology in order to understand Jesus better. How uncomfortable it was to have women and men 20 and 30 years my senior in South America defer to my understanding of the Bible simply because (at that time) I had received an undergraduate degree in ministry and theology. Most of them had Bible college degrees themselves and had been pastoring for decades, yet there was a subtle deference to my Western mindset. The only exception was when one pastor (a German ex-pat) found out I had not studied German. Geez did I fall in his estimation!
I think what I love most about the way Oden lays out the trail leading back to what he calls the “African seedbed” of Western Christianity, is the invitation to explore this history and then to share it far and wide. As a history lover, I am captivated by the idea that Africa was part of the womb of our faith. 
Somehow it adds color and richness to a tapestry that had, for me, grown faded with time. What stories and traditions will we find when we excavate and look at the past with an African lens? I am determined to remain open to the possibilities the Spirit will offer in the exploration.
About the Author
Kristin Hamilton
16 responses to “Why do we act like Origen and Augustine spoke German?”
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Kristin I must admit I will never view Augustine the same again. It does shift the way in which we think about the shaping and influence of our Christian history. While I knew that those in scripture themselves came from Africa, it is enlightening to know the formation of Christianity from “Fathers and Mothers (who were among the hidden figures of our faith)” were also from Africa. This is truly an epic story that must be retold!
Agreed Christal! I want to read about the context of these faith pioneers and learn more about their stories. The ever present bias that has presented them as more European has left out a big chunk of the how and why of what they did.
Kristin I love the way you picked up on the children. When I read Oden’s first comment about teaching the children I thought “Oh that’s nice.” But of course it’s more than just helping them learn their own history, it is so important as you say that “African children will begin the process of restoring confidence in African contributions to theology and the roots of Christianity.”
It certainly doesn’t hurt us European or European descendants to learn that we didn’t discover everything either. So glad we are reading this before next fall. It sure has helped me, how about Yo?
I’m glad too, Mary. I think you are right that it does us good to come up against the truth that our Western European mindset is not the be-all and end-all of Christianity and faith.
I found something similar in Uganda – experienced and godly leaders who had been imprisoned under Idi Amin – what the West does have is resources. We are very rich in resources and Africa is not – but they certainly have a rich and powerful heritage!
Yes Geoff. I’m not sure where the idea came in that wealth and resources makes for superior ideology. In my experience, it is often the opposite – poverty and need inspire faith and creativity.
Your blog made me pause to think. Do we judge Africa’s past because of Africa’s present?
Today, both North Africa and Sub-Sahara Africa have rich resources, while millions of families who live in poverty.
Many who live in Africa, especially women, are denied basic human rights. Genital mutilation, child brides, and Islamic honor killings are a reality for many.
Many of the governments are unstable (D.R. Congo, Eritrea, Yemen, Libya, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan).
Formerly prosperous countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt are now overwhelmed with terrorist threats.
Today’s Africa is not a center for scholarship. I am optimistic and progress is being made, but there are also setbacks.
For some, is Africa’s present realities become a filter for us to ignore the accomplishments of their past.
I don’t know, Stu. The same can be said of much of the Middle East, parts of Eastern Europe, and places in South America, yet we don’t so easily negate their contributions. If I’m completely honest, I think that the darker the skin in a particular region is, the more likely it is that Westerners see people and culture from that religion as less sophisticated and somehow lacking.
Beautiful, Kristin. Funny, when I searched google for images of African saints to use on my blot post, it was near impossible to find any. Sigh.
As I read your post, I recognized that, while you & I may be familiar with some early church history (and even, perhaps, some details about the specific writings & theological frameworks of these guys), we don’t really hear their stories or preach sermons about them, even in American churches. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the stories told in our churches didn’t jump straight from Bible stories to today, but included stories of the church throughout the centuries (in all places)? Oden is asking African scholars to provide the wherewithal for African churches to do tell these stories with their children, but I suggest we need to do that in America as well.
Good point, Katy. It would be interesting to see what biases could be erased by a generation or two of acknowledgement of how much African Christianity has contributed.
And also– I’d love to see more African art depicting African saints and biblical stories in the African context! I think I’m going to file that into my mind and pray for ways to support African artists who want to theologically create art.
Katy, I have pictures of Jesus I have collected from all over the world (including a Chinese Lords Supper print that’s pretty cool). Anyway, while I do have an African Jesus that I got years ago in East St. Louis, Illinois, I would love to find one in Cape Town.
Yes! Not just icons, but art produced through the African lens that displays the way Africans (in all their various forms) view God.
Thanks for your insight Kristin.
I am glad to see yours and other cohorts passion for wanting to share the African story. In many African American churches, we already share the story that many of the people in the bible were black. We even promote Moses and Jesus are.
I was glad to see Oden join the team to promote that Black people were created, loved and promoted.
I was glad too, Lynda. Oden is very respected and I think his word holds great credibility among scholars. I hope it makes a difference and we can begin (in the white church) to remove the whitewashed view that is so prevalent.
“Womb of faith”…I love this descriptive of Africa and their impact on Christianity. Makes me realize how little we have credited Africa for our faith.