Abstract
African theology was spawned in response to yearnings for theological independence, and
desires to theologize in dialogue with African cosmologies; these practical elements still
remain today the raison d'etre, and are definitive of, African theology. This background
disguises a cardinal goal of African theology: to build and sustain authentic African
Christian communities in faith, ethos and worship. Because the Bible is a witness to
Christianity's primal events and traditions which are considered to be definitive of the
identity and self-understanding of Christianity (ever since) and, consequently, integral to its
faith, ethos and worship, its usage in African theology is imperative if it wishes to fulfil this
goal.
To show one of the ways the aforesaid could be done, this thesis uses the Bible to formulate
an African theology on ancestors by interpreting a section of it theologically. Such a
theology could help define the relationship between African Christianity and ancestors.
More specifically, the Christology of the book of Hebrews is interpreted theologically and
related to typology, with the result that Jesus is understood not only as superior to Jewish
mediatorial figures of angels, Moses and the Aaronic high priests, but, also, as the definitive
mediator to whom the Jewish mediatorial figures point. Subsequently, this Christology of
Hebrews is 'transferred' to Hebrews' contemporary context in Africa by means of a
theological re-interpretation based on typology (due to the similarities between the Jewish
mediatorial figures and African ones), resulting in the view that Jesus, as the definitive
mediator in Africa, is the greatest ancestor.
The thesis goes on to argue that when this Christology of Hebrews in Africa ('Jesus the
greatest ancestor') is applied to African Christianity, ancestors can, firstly, be absorbed into
an African Christian consciousness as a work of God pointing to Christ, i.e., as types of
Christ. Secondly, ancestors can be perceived to be displaced by Jesus the definitive mediator
to whom, foreshadowing as types, they must give way now. Finally, and in consequence,
ancestors have to be abandoned now, specifically as objects of religious cultic practice, i.e.,
as mediators. The resultant effect of this African theology based on Hebrews' Christology on
African Christians is that ancestors are absorbed into their Christian consciousness while
allowing for an authentic belief in Jesus' unique and ultimate significance as the definitive
mediator between humans and God.
