At a time when Africans, like other peoples, are facing the shock of technological and cultural modernity, liberation of the oppressed must be the primary condition for an authentic inculturation of the Christian message. This is the central axis of the papers in this book, which begins with the questions of faith posed by cultural variables, an internal dimension of the African's condition. In order to understand what is at stake, we need to place these matters in the overall context of a society and a history marked by conflicts-which lead to a rereading of our African memory. The basic issue of the Credibility of Christianity is being raised from with in the dynamic which allows Africans to escape from the inhumanity of the destiny to which certain factors would condemn them. So critical reflection on the relevance of an African Christianity requires us to identify the structures or strategies of exploitation and impoverishment against which Africans have always struggled, finding their own specific forms of resistance within their cultures.

Faith in African Lived Christianity – Bridging Anthropological and Theological Perspectives offers a comprehensive, empirically rich and interdisciplinary approach to the study of faith in African Christianity. The book brings together anthropology and theology in the study of how faith and religious experiences shape the understanding of social life in Africa. The volume is a collection of chapters by prominent Africanist theologians, anthropologists and social scientists, who take people’s faith as their starting point and analyze it in a contextually sensitive way. It covers discussions of positionality in the study of African Christianity, interdisciplinary methods and approaches and a number of case studies on political, social and ecological aspects of African Christian spirituality.

'African Cry' is liberation theology with African content and original method--in short, a model of African liberation theology. Its translation into the English language is a big contribution to the corpus of literature on African liberation theology available to the English-speaking public. For those who are not already familiar with its French version, it provides a new dimension in African theology. The book is a must for all students of African theology."" --Justin S. Ukpong, Catholic Institute of West Africa, Nigeria 'African Cry' is fundamentally a challenge to all who claim adherence to the Christian faith. It explores the Scriptures, particularly the Gospels, in the light of what passes for Christianity and Mission on the part of European and Caucasian thinking, attitudes, and behavior on the continent of Africa. The book is a magnificent presentation of the problems that the African and African-American have with the behavior and attitudes of Church people from the highest to the lowest levels. This book should be read by as many Christians as possible, and, above all, bishops, particularly European and American."" --Lawrence E. Lucas, author of 'Black Priest/White Church' 'African Cry' shatters the self-censorship of sub-Saharan African theologians on political-economic issues while retaining their deep concern for cultural liberation. It is now impossible to discuss African theology without reference to Ela."" --Marie Giblin, Associate Professor of Theology, Xavier University A vigorous, frank, and uncompromising series of essays by a young, rural-based Cameroonian priest. The stress is on the interrelatedness of inculturation, liberation, and authenticity. The cry is for the right to be different. A superb example of the strongly-felt anguish of committed African priests for a church at once credible and rooted in reality."" --Simon E. Smith, SJ, former Coordinator of the Jesuit Refugee Service in Africa Jean-Marc Ela is a Cameroonian theologian. He is also the author of 'My Faith as an African.'

The Spiritual Baptist Faith is the name given to the Christian religious group emerging among the Africans in the 19th century in Trinidad. In 1917 the group was outlawed as "too noisy" and "too African" and therefore uncivilized and unacceptable. This book explores the development and the practices of the faith, its relationship with African religion and with Christianity, and its tenets. (Social Issues)

Thomas C. Oden surveys the decisive role of African Christians and theologians in shaping the doctrines and practices of the church of the first five centuries, and makes an impassioned plea for the rediscovery of that heritage. Christians throughout the world will benefit from this reclaiming of an important heritage.

This book connects traditional religions to the thriving religious activity in Africa today.