The rapidly growing church in Africa is facing many opportunities and challenges. The conversion rate ratio is incompatible to the resource and methods of discipling the new believers. Hence, deep biblical knowledge of Christ and the mission of the church is hampered. Prosperity gospel preachers are mushrooming. The high unemployment rate among the young generation has become a breeding ground for radical Muslim terrorist and drug trafficking. Ethnic conflicts, child labor, gender inequality and the abuse and exploitation of women, the presence of Chinese and their influence are topics this course will cover.
Students will learn that mere numerical growth of Christianity is not free from internal and external problems. If the problems are not tackled biblically, numerical growth can be liability instead of asset.
Christianity cannot give an anchor to the soul unless it answers the question of daily struggles of the believers. The ravaging power of HIV and Ebola, the unemployment rate and the unemployed, the violation of human rights by internal and external powers, the corrupt judicial system, etc., has made African Christians to ask, “what is the place of the kingdom of God in this chaotic existence?” This course provides the answer to the questions of African Christians.
Growth brings people from diverse cultural background with unresolved issues and questions in life. New believers need to learn the Scripture in order to know Christ and do his command. “Teach them” in the Great Commission is imperative.
Biblical teaching leads to the engagement of the disciples in local and global ministry. This course contributes to achieve the missional role of the church in Africa.
The course biblically addresses the contextual issues of the African church. We explore what Christ mean in various social, cultural, economic, and religious settings of African Christians.
Most of the issues the African church is facing is not limited to the continent of Africa. Cross-pollination of theology, missiology, and pedagogy helps the students to have clear picture of the issues and to come up with lasting solutions.
This course offers insight how to analyze contextual issues and develop contextual theology.
In this course, learners will have opportunity to visit churches or meet with young unemployed Africans, to explore further the topics discussed in class.
