Africa - Coming on strong!

Many uninformed persons take it for granted that the Christian faith in Africa was a product of Western Colonization. But this is not altogether true,

Several recent books have highlighted Africa as... the actual seedbed of Christianity.

Furthermore, in the future, faith in the True Son of God is predicted to grow faster than on any other continent. Amazing!

  • How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind: Rediscovering the African Seedbed of Western Christianity by Thomas C. Oden
  • This is the definitive text on the subject. The late theologian Thomas C. Oden challenges the colonial myth that Christianity is a Western import. He argues that Christian theology, monasticism, and doctrine were developed in Africa (such as in Alexandria and Carthage) centuries before they took root in Europe.
  • African Christian Mothers and Fathers: Why They Matter for the Church Today by Mark Ellingsen
  • This highly accessible work profiles influential pre-Augustinian North African thinkers. Ellingsen explores the writings of Origen, Anthony, and Cyprian, demonstrating how the faith is an indigenous African tradition that continues to shape the global church.
  • Ancient African Christianity: An Introduction to a Unique Context and Tradition by David E. Wilhite
  • Wilhite provides a thorough academic dive into North African Christianity from its early days to its eventual decline. The text covers the unique cultural environment of the African church, engaging with writers like Tertullian, Cyprian, and Augustine in the context of their own indigenous traditions.

Biblical & Historical Broad Overviews

  • The Blessing of Africa: The Bible and African Christianity by Keith Augustus Burton
  • Burton offers a comprehensive look at the continent's biblical geography and the vital African presence in church history. It refutes the idea of a "curse on Ham" and places African Christianity in its broader global context.
  • Early Christianity: A Textbook for African Students by Wendy Elgersma Helleman and Musa A. B. Gaiya
  • Designed for university-level students, this textbook traces the history of the early church while heavily centering the crucial role of North African leaders and communities.
  • Deep Roots: The African/Black Contribution To Christianity by Michael C. Burton
  • A concise and easy-to-read resource that explores the contributions of Black/African people to biblical history and early church development, including the African Church Fathers and the three African popes.

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Replies (1)

    • Thank you for sharing this insightful article. I fully agree with the writer's observation that Christianity is not a foreign religion imposed upon Africa through colonialism. Long before much of Europe was reached with the Gospel, Africa was already a center of Christian thought, theology, discipleship, and missions. Great African believers such as Tertullian, Cyprian, Athanasius, Augustine, and many others played a crucial role in shaping the foundations of the Christian faith that believers around the world hold today.

      It is encouraging to see scholars and authors bringing these historical truths back into the light. Understanding Africa's rich Christian heritage helps correct misconceptions and inspires a new generation of African believers to embrace their God-given role in His global mission.

      As an African disciple of Jesus Christ involved in disciple-making movements, this message resonates deeply with me. I believe that Africa is not only a continent with a remarkable Christian past but also one with a significant role in God's future purposes. I am part of a movement that seeks to see the Gospel spread from Africa to the rest of the world, making disciples among all nations in obedience to Christ's command in Matthew 28:18-20.

      This vision is beautifully captured in the book From Africa to the Rest, which highlights how God is raising African believers to participate in global missions. While missionaries once came to Africa with the Gospel, today God is calling Africans to carry the Gospel to unreached peoples across the nations.

      May the African Church continue to grow not merely in numbers but also in biblical faithfulness, discipleship, holiness, and missionary obedience. And may believers everywhere remember that the Kingdom of God is global, with every nation both receiving and sending laborers into the harvest field.

      Thank you also for the reminder to support Gospel workers through prayer and giving. The task of reaching the nations belongs to the whole Church, and every believer has a role to play.

      "The Lamb has conquered; let us follow Him."

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