Abstract
This thesis explores and analyses voices of contemporary African
christology, integrating selected textual and oral christologies from sub-Saharan
Africa outside of South Africa. The critical concern for African Christians to
articulate their perceptions of Jesus' identity and significance has spawned a
proliferation of written christologies during the past few decades. To date there is
little substantive analysis of these creative christologies, which prompts the present
study. Christological texts from the following six theologians provide a cross-section
of reflections from Catholic and Protestant traditions: Benezet Bujo, Jean-Marc Ela,
J. N. K. Mugambi, Mercy Oduyoye, Anne Nasimiyu Wasike, and John Pobee. Given
the vitality of Christian experience in Africa today, informal expressions of theology
warrant serious consideration. Oral christologies are therefore gained from personal
interviews with the six theologians, plus qualitative field research in Kenya, Uganda
and Ghana. Individual interviews and focus groups capture the voices of urban,
educated Christians including men and women, Catholics and Protestants, and clergy
and laity. Christological investigation is also enhanced by informal christologies
gleaned through participant observation in a variety of Christian settings in the
specified contexts.
Following an introduction to the subject and methods of study, the main body
of the thesis examines central themes which emerge from the christological data. The
research process configures current christologies in four broad categories
intrinsically related to one another. Each category represents a cluster of
christological images: (1) Jesus as Life-giver, with special reference to the images of
healer and traditional healer, (2) Jesus as Mediator, developing the image of Jesus as
ancestor, (3) Jesus as Leader, focusing on the images of king / chief and liberator,
and (4) Jesus as Loved One. Only the first three categories are presented within the
confines of this thesis, while the fourth—Jesus as Loved One—is referred to briefly
in relation to overlapping themes. Analysis elucidates the rationale, sources,
methods, and meaning of emergent African christologies. Research findings indicate
that the selected African Christians reveal confident, contextual engagement with the
fundamental question of Jesus, "Who do you say that I am?" (Mark 8:29). That is,
responses to this question are formulated not only in light of biblical revelation and
Christian tradition, but also in terms of African realities both past and present. These
contemporary African christologies thus represent an important landmark in the
development of African theology. Their significance to the ongoing shaping of
Christian tradition is noted in view of Africa's prominent place in world Christianity
at the turn of the third millennium, with implications for christological reflection and
praxis.
