The Triumph of Christ in African Perspective: A Study of Demonology and Redemption in the African Context
Overview
This book explores the implications of the Gospel for traditional African fears of occult aggression. It analyses traditional approaches to suffering and biblical responses to fears of demonic evil, concluding with an evaluation of African beliefs from the perspective of the gospel.
Top Highlights
“Hiebert has spoken of ‘the flaw of the excluded middle’ which has characterised western evangelicalism and been exported in its theology. ‘When tribal people spoke of fear of evil spirits, [Western missionaries] denied the existence of the spirits rather than claim the power of Christ over them. The result, as Newbigin pointed out, is that Western Christian missions has been one of the great secularising forces in history.’” (Page 3)
“On the contrary, it suggested to them that the gospel had little or nothing to say to their deepest concerns and was thus of only partial relevance to what they saw as the fundamental issues of life. They therefore continued to deal with these concerns in the old ways, appeasing ancestors and warding off witches and sorcerers with traditional medicines, an approach which has continued right up to the present: ‘The usual resort of the African Christian in crisis situations is a reversion to traditional African religious practices.’” (Page 3)
“One of the criticisms levelled against the missionary enterprise in Africa is that it failed to take seriously African concerns about attack by spirits, witches and sorcerers, the pastoral consequences of which have continued to this day.” (Page 2)
“A syncretistic amalgam of Christian faith and traditional religion was the result, a whole area of reality remaining unredeemed by the gospel.” (Page 3)
“Indeed in key respects African beliefs are closer to a biblical paradigm than is western rationalistic scepticism.” (Page 5)
I am excited by this book!
—R. T. France, Principal, Wycliffe Hall Oxford, 1989-1995
- Title: The Triumph of Christ in African Perspective: A Study of Demonology and Redemption in the African Context
- Author: Keith Ferdinando
- Series: Theological Studies Collection
- Publisher: Paternoster Press
- Publication Date: 1999
- Pages: 450
