THE4126 Christian Theology in African Context

African Christianity is one of the fastest-growing expressions of global Christianity. Yet theology is often imported from Western contexts with limited attention to African worldviews. This course seeks to address that gap by equipping students to develop biblically faithful yet contextually rooted theology. This course is a postgraduate introduction to systematic theology with a focus on African contexts. Students will explore the major doctrines of the Christian faith, examining them through both biblical and African lenses. The course engages students in comparing dominant local worldviews with biblical teachings, fostering the ability to apply theology faithfully and contextually within African communities. Students will critically interact with Scripture, African traditions, and contemporary theological scholarship to develop a well-rounded understanding of God’s purposes, Christ’s work, the Holy Spirit, and the role of the church in Africa.

By the end of this course the student should be able to:

• Articulate and apply a method of studying doctrines that is biblical, evangelical, and contextually relevant.

• Compare and contrast biblical teachings about God, creation, salvation, and the spirit world with local African beliefs.

• Describe and defend orthodox Christian beliefs about Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the church in African contexts.

• Critically evaluate African traditional religious concepts and constructively, discerning points of continuity and discontinuity with biblical theology.

• Communicate the theological foundations of the church and its purpose for local and global ministry.

• Identify and correct teachings that diverge from biblical orthodoxy.