Africa and Oden: Far Reaching
Reading How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind by Thomas Oden is eye opening. I am impressed with how the historic names (Augustine, Athanasius, Tertullian!), experiences and libraries that came out of North Africa, have influenced the world in significant ways. Classical Christianity has not owned the gems coming from this continent over the centuries. The impact of Oden’s text has great potential to challenge and change both the African and Western Christian mind if those minds are open to a new perspective that will shift their foundation. The question is, in my mind, how biased is Western Christianity against Africa as a primary contributor to their faith roots based on their current perspective of Africa? I also wonder at how much the African world (primarily Sub-Saharan Africa) will own this enlightened and honoring history with so much geographical, historical and cultural distance.
In thinking through the cultural and actual distance of Northern Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, or the rest of Africa, I can’t help but remember flying over the Sahara Desert in a huge jet. The Sahara is a massive and daunting piece of Africa to cross. I don’t know if many Africans south of the desert would ever truly identify with the heritage of North of Africa. As is happening through Oden, I suspect the West will do much to inform Africa of their heritage rather than Africa taking ownership of their historic accomplishments for African and global Christianity’s benefit.
I hope to be wrong in my suspicion. I would like to see Africa honored for the historic and modern contributions and value they bring to the Christian landscape.
One final note. As I read I kept thinking, ‘We are going to Africa!’ Then Asia and then Europe. We will get to see, even if not directly connected to the Middle East, from all three vantage points on Oden’s historic global Christian map. This is exciting to me as Christianity’s roots extend geographically to the Southern tip of Africa to the far east of Asia and to the United Kingdom. I have known this conceptually but being present to comprehend the lived experience of Christian history is thrilling.
About the Author
Trisha Welstad
Trisha is passionate about investing in leaders to see them become all God has created them to be. As an ordained Free Methodist elder, Trisha has served with churches in LA and Oregon, leading as a pastor of youth and spiritual formation, a church planter, and as a co-pastor of a church restart. Trisha currently serves as leadership development pastor at Northside Community Church in Newberg, OR. Over the last five years Trisha has directed the Leadership Center, partnering with George Fox and the Free Methodist and Wesleyan Holiness churches. The Leadership Center is a network facilitating the development of new and current Wesleyan leaders, churches and disciples through internships, equipping, mentoring and scholarship. In collaboration with the Leadership Center, Trisha serves as the director of the Institute for Pastoral Thriving at Portland Seminary and with Theologia: George Fox Summer Theology Institute. She is also adjunct faculty at George Fox University. Trisha enjoys throwing parties, growing food, listening to the latest musical creations by Troy Welstad and laughing with her two children.5 responses to “Africa and Oden: Far Reaching”
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I like your outlook in this piece, Trisha– especially the way that our own travels and experiences ahead will help us see for ourselves how some of Oden’s arguments play out in the places we will be.
Hi Trisha!
Yes, we are going to Africa! You are absolutely right that our travels will help us connect concepts and principles of Christian history and Christianity today… I have to believe we will be humbled by our experiences. Your statement “I suspect the West will do much to inform Africa of their heritage rather than Africa taking ownership of their historic accomplishments for African and global Christianity’s benefit” is unfortunately the ways of the Western world. It leads to the question – is it Africa’s responsibility to take ownership of their accurate history, or is it the West’s responsibility to write an accurate narrative. My thinking is Christians should always seek truth and right their wrongs. I look forward to traveling with you!
Trisha,
I too was impressed with the accomplishments of those theologians of North Africa. I do believe Oden’s desire for us to not lose nor forget the rich history of this continent should inspire us to help, even as westerner, inspire Africans to join the search for the truth of their Christian heritage. That this knowledge and this history in for all of us, should draw us closer as the people of God. I haven’t been to Africa and am looking forward to being humbled and transformed by the experience.
I loved your ending to your post that read…”As I read I kept thinking, ‘We are going to Africa!’ Then Asia and then Europe. We will get to see, even if not directly connected to the Middle East, from all three vantage points on Oden’s historic global Christian map.” I couldn’t agree more and I look forward to expanding my horizons and awareness of our Christian history. Great post and I look forward to hearing more from you.
Trisha, I was glad to see you point out the cultural obstacles that Africans face with other Africans simply because of the mass nature of Africa itself. I know that when I moved to Oregon 7 years ago, I was shocked to see how little some people understood the “bible belt” of the Midwest. Often the change in a state border, a weather pattern, or even just the crops someone grows can seem to interfere with the understanding we have with one another. Oden did seem to grasp this in his writing to some regard, however I am not sure he had much understanding of how to truly overcome that obstacle. I personally believe that had he worked harder to unite under them under Christianity, rather than the ownership of it, perhaps this book would have had more merit and strength behind it.
Good job. And how cool was flying over the Sahara? Nice!