Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Christianity has been spread in Africa by Africans. It is the story of peoples seizing control of their own spiritual destinies--rather than the commonplace notion that the continent's Christian churches represent colonial and capitalist powers that helped subdue Africans to European domination. In short, once introduced, Christianity took on a powerful life of its own and spun out of the control of those who would retain ownership of doctrine and practice. East African Expressions of Christianity examines the experiences of African Christians as they explored the new faith, interpreted it in the context of their own values, appropriated it for themselves, and forged their own distinctive churches. Prominent Tanzanian and American historians, anthropologists, political scientists, and church people examine the translation of religious meanings across cultural boundaries; the religious and social appeal of the new faith; and the vital roles played by African evangelists, teachers, and translators in the spread of Christianity and the development of an African church.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 324-332) and index.
Table of Contents
Toward the history of African Christianity /Thomas Spear --African theology and the search for the universal /Gregory H. Maddox --Chaga religion and missionary Christianity on Kilimanjaro : the initial phase, 1893-1916 /Anza A. Lema --Impact of Christianity among the Zaramo : a case study of Maneromango Lutheran parish /Isaria N. Kimambo --They do the dictating and we must submit : the Africa Inland Mission in Maasailand /Richard Waller --Creation of a Catholic Fipa society : conversion in Nkansi district, Ufipa /Kathleen R. Smythe --Church and Cigogo : Fr. Stephen Mlundi and Christianity in central Tanzania /Gregory H. Maddox --Kamba Christianity : from Africa Inland Church to African Brotherhood Church /David Sandgren --Making of an independent church : the case of the African Missionary Evangelical Church among the Meru of Tanzania /C.K. Omari --Bundu dia Kongo : a Kongolese fundamentalist religious movement /Ernest Wamba-Dia-Wamba --Church of the holy spirit : biblical beliefs and practices of the Arathi of Kenya, 1926-50 /Francis Kimani Githieya --Politics of popular Catholicism in Uganda /Ronald Kassimir --Marian Faith Healing Ministry : an African expression of popular Catholicism in Tanzania /Christopher Comoro and John Sivalon --Contending for the faith : spiritual revival and the Fellowship Church in Tanzania /Josiah R. Mlahagwa --Family life, indigenous culture and Christianity in colonial Njombe /James Giblin.