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If Africa was the significant yet unrecognized influence on the origins of Christianity as promoted by the author, I couldn’t help feeling like I just discovered I was adopted and “my parents” were not my biological parents. I felt a bit duped by the misrepresentation of Christianity in my younger years of Christian teachings, for the origins and beliefs are rarely if ever attributed to African history. Albeit some of the author’s concepts are theories, it stands to reason the African influence on Christianity has been understated.<\/p>\n
The following statements were fresh concepts and provoked new thinking for me:<\/p>\n
“Western Christian dogma was formed with precision in Africa before it became ecumenically received worldwide” (Kindle, 357). If factual, this statement would suggest Christianity was birthed and developed in Africa and was the primary influencer for the Western world. If so, it is confusing to me why the Western world hasn’t given more credit to Africa for Christian formation? It is a\u00a0tragic and unfair representation of Christianity if credit is not given to where credit is due.<\/p>\n
Oden repeatedly references this discriminatory thinking with: “There is a prejudice at work here: suspect anything of intellectual value that comes from the African continent as having some sort of secret European origin” (Kindle, 543). This concept continues to be emphasized, “…if good ideas appeared in Africa, they must be attributed to Europeans” (Kindle, 463). It appears he is trying to make the reader aware of covert cultural values and overt teachings where the African philosophers and theologians were marginalized and considered inferior in Christian formation. I could not help but wonder how much of this set the stage and influenced the derogatory thinking for Christians to justify the horrors of African slavery in the United States.<\/p>\n
Admittedly, I struggled to find much interest in the book’s concepts. But the part of the book that distracted and engaged me the most was the strong emotional undertones throughout. Oden’s intensity and passion on the subject repeatedly caught me off guard when reading his book. His strong statements, detailed research, and call for actions throughout the book caused me to look deeper to discover the reason for the emotional undertones behind his writing. I was rewarded with the segment entitled his “Personal Challenge” (Kindle, 1203). His heart for Africa to be recognized, and protected from the ravages of war, diseases, HIV and starvation, political upheaval and ending with his challenge for the reader to pray for Africa was deeply moving. His profound compassion for the African people and their plight was intensified through his congestive heart disease he was afflicted with as he confessed his passion was so immense he would spend the rest of his life on this topic (Kindle, 1203). I reasoned if he felt so strongly about this topic, it certainly was worth my time and consideration, and I found myself responding to his challenge to pray for a people suffering imaginable horrors who are also my brothers and sisters in Christ.<\/p>\n
The authors’ statement: “African Christianity is entering into a maturing stage. It hungers for the strong meat of ancient African Christianity at this decisive stage” (Kindle, 874-875) is a hopeful one that once again challenges a response. How are we as fellow Christians called to respond to a country who appears unfairly ravaged and how do we help correct history that reinstates the truth and their dignity in Christian history? As a Christian, I feel a responsibility to help right a wrong and reinstate African Christianity into Western Christianity. I find myself pondering how this would be an effective way to do it.<\/p>\n
Again, I am rewarded with an answer: emulate admirable aspects of the African church and reference them. The African church sets a beautiful precedence with their prayer for unity among Christians. “The vast African church today still prays that the uniting work of the Spirit may reenergize African Christian unity in both the north and south, and remold them into a new whole.” (Kindle Locations 403-404). If only we could experience this among our denominations, genders, and people groups, locally and abroad. By focusing on our similarities and de-emphasizing our differences and praying for a spirit of unity and wholeness would be a good start. A simple expression of gratitude also feels appropriate. Thank you, Africa, for your quiet and humble influence on my Christian faith.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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