DOCSLIB.ORG

Theology and the City in Africa: the Significance of Contemporary African Urban Experience for Theological Reflection

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Theology and the City in Africa: the Significance of Contemporary African Urban Experience for Theological Reflection Loyola University Chicago Loyola eCommons Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 2018 Theology and the City in Africa: The Significance of Contemporary African Urban Experience for Theological Reflection Dominic Fungai Tomuseni Loyola University Chicago Follow this and additional works at: https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss Part of the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Tomuseni, Dominic Fungai, "Theology and the City in Africa: The Significance of Contemporary African Urban Experience for Theological Reflection" (2018). Dissertations. 2863. https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss/2863 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Loyola eCommons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Loyola eCommons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Copyright © 2018 Dominic Fungai Tomuseni LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO THEOLOGY AND THE CITY IN AFRICA: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN URBAN EXPERIENCES FOR THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM IN THEOLOGY BY DOMINIC F. TOMUSENI, SJ CHICAGO, IL MAY 2018 Copyright by Dominic F. Tomuseni, 2018 All rights reserved. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It takes a village to raise a child, so goes the old African saying. And it takes the world to form a Jesuit, said one African Jesuit. It has taken the whole world to write this dissertation. Many people from the different parts of the world where I have lived have contributed to the writing of this dissertation in ways that I cannot capture in these few words. But for bringing all their wisdom together in the final form that this dissertation has taken, I am indebted to Dr. John McCarthy who directed this work. Since we met in 2012 when I came to Loyola, he has been an inspiring guide who has taught me to appreciate the wisdom of my experiences. He is the midwife of the ideas in this work and I am forever grateful for his patience, wisdom and guidance. I am also grateful to Drs John Nilson, Michael Schuck and Timothy Scarnechhia who read this dissertation and gave insightful comments. Jon Nilson and Mike Schuck were part of the Loyola theology community who journeyed with me during my five years at Loyola. They were with me at the most difficult times of the journey. I first encountered Tim Scarnecchia through his work on my hometown and he enkindled in me a passion to understand the experience of my people. And I was grateful when he accepted to be part of the committee. I am forever grateful for his time and contribution to this work I pray that they all be blessed. I am forever grateful to William Manaker, SJ, and Keith Esenether, SJ, who helped me with proofreading and sorting of my grammar. And to all my brother Jesuits across the world who helped in so many ways that I can mention. May he who calls us to this least Society help us iii to use all that he has given us to bring good news to the least of our brothers and sisters. Let us continue to hold each other up in prayers . iv To Aruberito Kameza Taima Tomuseni, April 1, 1938–October 21, 2015. May your tribe increase. May His name be exalted. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................................... iii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................................... ix INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Preamble ................................................................................................................................................... 1 The State of Theological Reflection in Africa: A Summary ............................................................... 4 Thesis ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................................................ 5 Methodology ............................................................................................................................................ 9 CHAPTER 1: THEOLOGY AND CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN EXPERIENCE ........................ 10 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 10 The Development of African Theology .............................................................................................. 12 The Place of Colonial experience in the Development of African Theology ................................ 20 The Effect of Colonial Experience on African Theology ................................................................. 36 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 36 John Mbiti and the Recovery of “us” different from Western categories ................................... 37 Nyamiti and the Recognition of “us,” Similar to Western Categories ....................................... 49 Ela and Katongole: None but Ourselves. ........................................................................................ 57 Jean-Mac Ela 1936-2008 ................................................................................................................... 59 Emmanuel Katongole 1960- ............................................................................................................. 64 Summary of Chapter ............................................................................................................................ 67 CHAPTER 2: THEOLOGY AND CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN URBAN EXPERIENCE ........ 69 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 69 Review of Literature on Theological Reflection on the City in Africa ........................................... 71 Dynamics of African Urban Experiences in Theological Reflection on the City .......................... 76 Dynamics in Theological Reflections on the City ............................................................................. 86 Summary of Chapter .......................................................................................................................... 102 CHAPTER 3: INTERPRETING A CITY IN AFRICA. ..................................................................... 105 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 105 Cities in Africa ..................................................................................................................................... 106 Studies of Colonial cities in Africa .................................................................................................... 109 Chapter Outline ................................................................................................................................... 113 An Outline of the Development of Salisbury (Harare) .................................................................. 114 African Experiences in Salisbury ....................................................................................................... 124 Nationalism and African Experiences in Salisbury ........................................................................ 124 Africans’ Experiences in Salisbury: European Settlers’ Perspectives ............................................ 129 Settler Historians.............................................................................................................................. 129 Native Policies .................................................................................................................................. 132 vii Native Administrators ..................................................................................................................... 135 Review of Native policy and Administration ............................................................................... 145 African Experience in Salisbury: Perspectives from Urban Nationalistic Historiography ........ 146 Politics in the in Salisbury African location ................................................................................. 147 Gender Issues in the African Location in Salisbury .................................................................... 154 Christianity in the African location of Salisbury ......................................................................... 160 Summary of Chapter .......................................................................................................................... 164 Appendix .............................................................................................................................................. 164 African experience in Salisbury: Literary and Poetic perspectives ........................................... 165 African Experiences in Salisbury: Perspectives in Music ............................................................ 167 CHAPTER 4: FAITH IN A CITY IN AFRICA
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Biblical Exegesis in African Context
    Biblical Exegesis in African Context Frederick Mawusi Amevenku Senior Lecturer, Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon-Accra & Research Associate, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Isaac Boaheng Research Fellow, University of Free State, South Africa Series in Philosophy of Religion Copyright © 2021 Vernon Press, an imprint of Vernon Art and Science Inc, on behalf of the authors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of Vernon Art and Science Inc. www.vernonpress.com In the Americas: In the rest of the world: Vernon Press Vernon Press 1000 N West Street, Suite 1200 C/Sancti Espiritu 17, Wilmington, Delaware, 19801 Malaga, 29006 United States Spain Series in Philosophy of Religion Library of Congress Control Number: 2021936399 ISBN: 978-1-64889-176-2 Cover design by Vernon Press. Cover image: Education photo created by wirestock / Freepik. Product and company names mentioned in this work are the trademarks of their respective owners. While every care has been taken in preparing this work, neither the authors nor Vernon Art and Science Inc. may be held responsible for any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in it. Every effort has been made to trace all copyright holders, but if any have been inadvertently overlooked the publisher will be pleased to include any necessary credits in
    [Show full text]
  • Childlike Simplicity and Our Lady in the Congregation of The
    INSTITUTE OF SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGIOUS FORMATION TANGAZA COLLEGE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EAST AFRICA TITLE OF THE LONG ESSAY CHILDLIKE SIMPLICITY AND OUR LADY IN THE CONGREGATION OF THE LITTLE CHILDREN OF OUR BLESSED LADY Author: Sr. Florence Muchingami (L.C.B.L) Tutor : Rev. Fr. Aelred Lacomara (CP) April 2001 NAIROBI - KENYA INSTITUTE OF SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGIOUS FORMATION TANGAZA COLLEGE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EAST AFRICA TITLE OF THE LONG ESSAY CHILDLIKE SIMPLICITY AND OUR LADY IN THE CONGREGATION OF THE LITTLE CHILDREN OF OUR BLESSED LADY Author: Sr. Florence Muchingami (L.C.B.L) Tutor : Rev. Fr. Aelred Lacomara (CP) This is a long essay submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a diploma in Religious Formation April 2001 NAIROBI - KENYA 11 S.. STUDENT'S DECLARATION I hereby declare that the material used herein has not been submitted for academic credit to any other institution. All sources have been cited in full. Signed:tnnL-filktin:Intri Lca; Sr. Florence Muchingami L.C.B.L Date : Tutor : Rev. Fr. Aelred Lacomara (CP) Date : 111 DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my family, congregation and all the little ones who reveal God's presence and hold the secrets of the Kingdom. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am very grateful to all who have helped me along the journey towards the completion of this work. Many thanks go to my supervisor Father Aelred Lacomara (CP), without whose encouragements, patience and directives this paper could not have been realised. I also thank Fr. Peter Edmonds (SJ) for proof reading my work and his constructive ideas and suggestions.
    [Show full text]
  • A M D G Beaumont Union Review Summer 2018
    A M D G BEAUMONT UNION REVIEW SUMMER 2018 Those of you who attended the lunch at St John‘s on Remembrance Sunday last year may recall, that in my words of thanks to the Headmaster and Staff, I said that we talk of this nebulous concept of the ―Spirit of Beaumont‖. I continued: ―Yet we have the living embodiment of that Spirit right here‖. Up until 1967 St John‘s was always considered part of Beaumont and its Old boys whether they continued to the College or not eligible for The Union. That year they were cast adrift and I think the feeling of the Committee was that it was now the Stonyhurst prep in the south of England and it would have a new allegiance. 50 years on and this is no longer the case. They wear our colours, harbour our traditions, sing the Carmen. They play cricket on our grounds and honour the dead at the War Memorial. It is long overdue to rectify the situation and bring the BU and the SJBOBA into closer alignment (sounds Brexit). In 1905, younger members of the Union founded the Beaumont Casuals whose activities were more in keeping with their generation. It lasted four years when the Club came to an end, yet it was written that ―the idea of younger members associating together for sports and social gatherings is a good one, and it is hoped that one day the Casuals will come to life again‖. I think that time has come. ANNOUNCEMENTS MUSEUM In February I met with Giles Delaney at St John’s and I know you will all be pleased to hear that our memorabilia will, where possible, soon go on display.
    [Show full text]
  • A Theology of Possessions in the African Context: a Critical Survey
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by UWC Theses and Dissertations UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE Thesis for MTh. Degree John Hugo Fischer Student Number: 2530178 Department of religion and theology Title of thesis A Theology of Possessions in the African context: A critical survey Supervisor: Prof. Ernst Conradie Date November 2007 1 A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Magister Theologae in the Department of Religion and Theology at the Faculty of Arts at the University of the Western Cape By John Hugo Fischer Supervisor: Professor E. M. Conradie November 2007 2 Keywords Possessions Africa Christianity Worldviews Consumerism Private Property Communal Possessions Urbanization Stewardship Vineyard Missions 3 Abstract This thesis has been researched against the back drop of conflict that had arisen due to different approaches to possessions in the African church as practiced within the Association of Vineyard Churches. This conflict arose because of diff erent cultural approaches to possessions and property rights as they affect different parts of the African church. In order to analyse this conflict and arrive at some understanding of the different forces operating in the area of resources and possessions it was necessary to adopt the approach laid out below. The objective was to arrive at an analysis of such differences, and the sources from which such differences originated, and then to draw some conclusion with regard to the present state of the debate on possessions and how this could affect the praxis of the Vineyard churches in Sub Saharan Africa in which I serve.
    [Show full text]
  • Reconstructive Hermeneutics in African Christology
    Page 1 of 8 Original Research Reconstructive hermeneutics in African Christology Author: The article sets out to demonstrate African reconstructive Christology as the seventh 1,2 Julius Gathogo Christological trend in African Christianity. Considering that African theology is Affiliation: kerygmatically universal, but theologically provincial, the study shows that Christology in 1Department of Philosophy our contemporary Africa can be best understood by retracing it from the early Christological and Religious Studies, controversies through to the present times. Certainly, African Christology in the 21st Kenyatta University century is dominated by calls for contextualisation, indigenisation, rebirth, inculturation, 2Research Institute for renewal, rejuvenation, renaissance and reconstruction. To this end, the article endeavours to Theology and Religion, demonstrate that Christ, the ideal reconstructionist, the one who broke the cultural codes of University of South Africa, his time in order to reconstruct the society, is the relevant model to our contemporary world. South Africa The article draws its theoretical framework from the works of Jesse Mugambi, Kä Mana, Note: and Wachege, amongst other proponents of reconstructive motif in African theology. In its Dr Julius Gathogo is an methodology, the article first attempts to identify some early Christological developments academic associate at through to the contemporary trends. It subsequently attempts a survey of the six Christological the Research Institute for trends of the 20th century; that is a Christological trend that commits itself to interpreting and Theology and Religion at the University of South Africa. adapting Christology to modern mentality and situation; Christologies geared exclusively to the historical Jesus; Christology that tends to uphold the Trinitarian theology; Christologies based on Correspondence to: the proclaimed Christ and the historical Jesus; Asian Christologies of inculturation and liberation; Julius Gathogo and African Christologies of inculturation and liberation.
    [Show full text]
  • The Roots of African Theology
    with the Vatican than with Protestant evangelicals. We should be If we should miss or dismiss the promise and the presence grateful for the many contacts between the WCC and the Roman of the crucified and risen Lord in the continuation of missionary Catholic Church during and after Vatican Council II, but it is likely work, our task would be a lost cause, a meaningless enterprise. that the official trend in the Vatican in the 1990s will continue We would make concessions to the professional pessimists who more in the direction of counter-reformation than co-reformation. think it is their task to spread alarm and defeatism. But within We should certainly continue official contacts with the Vatican, the light of the Lord's promise and presence, the continuation of but on the national, regional, and continental levels we should the church's mission in the last decade of this century will not strengthen our relations with those groups within the Roman be a lost cause or a meaningless enterprise, since we know that Catholic Church that, in spite of heavy pressure from the Vatican, in the Lord our labor cannot be in vain. are still moving in the direction of a co-reformation. Mission in the 1990s needs Christians and churches that work in the spirit of the document "Mission and Evangelism: An Notes ----------------­ Ecumenical Affirmation." Our task now is to put flesh on the spirit of that document, in our words and deeds. 1. Harvey Cox, "Many Mansions or One Way? The Crisis in Interfaith Dialogue," Christian Century, August 17-24, 1988, pp.
    [Show full text]
  • Christian Leadership in a Malawian Context: a Practical Theological Evaluation of African Bible College
    CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP IN A MALAWIAN CONTEXT: A PRACTICAL THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF AFRICAN BIBLE COLLEGE Robert W. Stauffacher DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Practical Theology) At the Stellenbosch University Promoter: Professor Ian Nell DECEMBER 2013 Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za DECLARATION By submitting this dissertation electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualifications. Signature……………………………………………………..…………… Date……………………………………………………………………..… Copyright 2013 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved i Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za COPYRIGHT All rights reserved. No part of this dissertation may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise for scholarly purposes, without prior written permission of the author or the University of Stellenbosch on behalf of the author. Copyright © 2013 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved ii Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za ABSTRACT Notwithstanding that many prominent, influential and highly effective Christian leaders over this past century are making a difference throughout Africa, a serious leadership crisis still looms. There is no doubt that Christianity has spread throughout Africa, reaching many remote areas within the continent. Still the depth to that Christianity remains elusive. Practical theologians have discovered various patterns of leadership abuse, immorality, and heresy throughout Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • From Contextual Theology to African Christianity: the Consideration of Adiaphora from a South African Perspective
    religions Article From Contextual Theology to African Christianity: The Consideration of Adiaphora from a South African Perspective Joel Mokhoathi Faculty of Theology and Religion, Department of Religion Studies, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa; [email protected] Received: 7 November 2017; Accepted: 6 December 2017; Published: 8 December 2017 Abstract: The move towards contextual Christianity in Africa is an essential venture if Christianity is to communicate with the African cultural heritage. As a universal religion, Christianity has to find an expression within the cultural context. However, the contextualization of Christianity in Africa appears to have permitted the practice of syncretism. It has resulted in the emergence of African Christianity, which is the amalgamation of Christianity and African Traditional Religion. The amalgamation of Christianity and African Traditional Religion appears to overlook the essence of both religions as there is currently no clarity on how Christianity can best be expressed within the African cultural and religious heritage. This paper employs the document review method to explore the things that fall in between—“adiaphora”, which the proponents of contextual Christianity may have overlooked with regard to the African cultural and religious heritage. These include the pragmatic nature of the African cultural and religious heritage, and the African traditional methods of healing. Keywords: contextualization; African Christianity; African Traditional Religion; African cultural and religious heritage There is an eminent move towards contextual Christianity in African scholarship. A great number of African scholars contend for the contextualization of Christianity, which aims at providing a link between the African cultural and Christian underpinnings.
    [Show full text]
  • 2 from Theology in Africa to African Theology
    2 From theology in Africa to African theology (historical notes); impact of the Council on new generation African theologians (CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF VATICAN II: CHALLENGES/CONTRIBUTIONS OF African CHURCH (28 & 29 SEPT 2012) Duquesne University Paulinus I. Odozor, C.S.Sp University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN The topic of my presentation might at first glance give a few wrong impressions which I think must be cleared up before we can proceed. The first possible wrong impression is that African theology properly so called began only when theologians of African descent started to put thought to paper and in that formal way to reflect on the data of the faith as it pertains to or as it is lived in Africa. If this assumption is true, then we have a problem of immense proportions. I would contend to the contrary that sentiments which date the start of African theology to that famous encounter between Tshibangu and Canon Vaneste in 1960 or to the publication of, Des prêtres noirs s'interrogent in 19561 are correct only to a point. Modern African theology has a longer pedigree which must be acknowledged so as to properly assess the history of theological thought in Africa and to give proper credit to the true pioneers of African theology. These pioneers include both the missionaries to Africa, their local catechists and the many teachers of the faith who worked very collaboratively with foreign missionaries to Africa to interpret and teach the 1 Léonard Santiedi Kinkupu et al, Des prêtres noirs s'interrogent: Cinquante ans après (KARTHALA Editions, 1956) 1 faith in various African contexts.
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents
    Table of Contents Forewords ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 Preface ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 Bibliography .................................................................................................................................................. 10 1. Profile of Missionary Groups (1896 – 1996) ............................................................................................ 15 2. The Founding of Missions (1896 – 1946) ................................................................................................. 29 3. The Arrival of the Carmelites (1946 – 1954) ............................................................................................ 45 4. New Missions (1955 – 1960) ................................................................................................................... 59 5. Years of Growth (1960 – 1970) ................................................................................................................74 6. Other Developments in the Diocese ........................................................................................................ 90 7. Tension and War (1971 – 1980) .............................................................................................................. 97 8. New Life (1981 – 1996) ........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Booklet, No Cover
    Kaunda, Chammah Judex. Theological education for social transformation— A missiological analysis of core elements in the theology of John Samuel Pobee. Ecumenical Institute, Bossey, Univ. of Geneva. Thesis, MA (Master of advanced studies in ecumenical studies), 2012. http://doc.rero.ch/record/31745 Summary: The study is a critical analysis of John S. Pobee’s thoughts on theological education in Africa focusing on social transformation. It argues that that for theological education to become relevant in the African context, it Journal of African Christian must be informed by the daily existential experiences of African people at the grassroots. By utilizing a missiological analytical research methodology, the study Biography has demonstrated that the mission of God is an all-embracing process in which every Christian participates or struggles together with God in the humanization of society. This means the ecumenical imperative in theological education demands a new paradigm, which requires tools for social analysis and models for thinking theologically in order to occasion renewal in the Church for the purpose of social transformation. In this way theological education should be life centered and praxis-oriented. In other words, it is a way to engage critical participation in an on-going process of recreating and liberating work of God, in which human beings partner with God in the struggle for social transformation. This in itself calls for theological education in Africa, to complement the paradigm of Vol. 5, No. 2 (April 2020) Christocentric universalism with the paradigm of interrelatedness of all life. Finally, articulation of the notion of ecumenism within African wisdom and philosophy must be perceived as crucial for theological education.
    [Show full text]
  • The Theology of Inculturation and the African Church
    International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 1(5) pp. 090-098 September, 2009 Available online http://www.academicjournals.org/ijsa ©2009 Academic Journals Full Length Research Paper The theology of inculturation and the African church Sussy Gumo Kurgat Department of Religion, Theology and Philosophy, Maseno University, P.O Box 333-40105, Maseno, Kenya. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +254 722721436. Fax: +254 722721436 Accepted 31 August, 2009 This paper investigated the theology of inculturation and the African Church. Specifically, the study set to examined the demand and relevance of inculturation for cultural development, assess inculturation message to Africa, determine the role of Small Christian Communities and examine the impact of inculturation in African Church. The study was based on both primary and secondary data collected for a period of two years. The study was principally qualitative in nature based on qualitative techniques of data analysis. The results of the study indicated that for an effective inculturation, facilitation of active local participation motivated and controlled from bottom-up approach through Small Christian Communities has been very crucial for a sustainable inculturation process. This approach has led to successful inculturation especially in areas of liturgy, moral theology, African leadership and the Church-as-family. The study recommended that to establish an authentic African Church, there is need to emphasize on the role of Small Christian Communities. Key words: Theology, inculturation, christianity, catholic church, culture. INTRODUCTION Communication between human cultures can only take takes a concrete form in African cultures. Inculturation is place effectively through dialogue and participation, still a theoretical issue rather than a practical one.
    [Show full text]