Tensions between the Gospel and Culture in Central African Countries

by Kalemba Mwambazambi and Basua Ngandu Kahakatshi

This study addresses the tension between the church and Central African culture. It tackles the question of the necessary new modes of the presence of the church through the resolution of the tension between the gospel and the culture in order to empower the people in Central Africa in different areas. This article demonstrates that the first missionaries in Central Africa countries did not understand the culture of African people and simply rejected what they could not understand because it was considered as heathen. As a result, the first missionaries’ contempt for African worldview and their fundamental values led to proselytism. There is a need to rethink the missional tools used by the church in order to present the Word of God in the language and culture of the people of Central Africa. This can lead to a change of mentality that in turn can lead to holistic development. If these tensions can be resolved, the leadership of the church can work to end corruption and injustice by promoting biblical values through its members who are active agents in all spheres of the African community social structure.

EditorJanuary 28, 2020Africa, worldview, poverty, corruption, societyComment

A History of the Gospel in Papua New Guinea: Factors in Faulty Discipleship

by Chris Brittain

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), biblical discipleship has been handicapped by the way the gospel was presented to the people by early missionaries. In the past it seemed rare for missionaries to be aware that they had interpreted the gospel through their own cultural lens and that there were serious distortions as a result. They assumed that their task was to get natives to abandon their heathen culture and exchange it for theirs. As a result, the church they planted was not a truly indigenous church because tribal peoples were discouraged from finding answers to their own questions that arose from their animistic worldview. Instead Bible teachers encouraged them to adopt the values and arbitrary customs of Westerners with regards to music, dress, worship patterns etc. As a result, there is a need for a “Missional Discipleship Movement (MDM)” within the church to help believers to discover for themselves what it means for the “Word to become flesh” in the PNG setting.

EditorJanuary 14, 2019Papua New Guinea, discipleship, cargo cults, cross-cultural communication, worldview, Animism, indigenous, gospelComment

An Acholi Perspective on Peacemaking

by David Ofunbi

For the Acholi people of northern Uganda, enduring peace depends upon total determination and commitment to uphold the humanity of the other, even in circumstances that seem illogical to do so.

EditorApril 23, 2018Africa, spirituality, conflict, violence, peace, justice, worldview, group identity, Spirituality, conflict resolution, peacemaking, reconciliationComment

Reflection: Why Is Africa Poor? A Whiteboard Animation

by Chris Ampadu

The Whiteboard Animation in this Reflection is based on Chris Ampadu’s WCIU dissertation.

Why is Africa poor, given all its natural resources: gold, diamonds, oil, timber?
View a Whiteboard Animation in this Reflection that addresses this question.

Africa’s problems are like a tree with spoiled fruits.
Africa’s problems have roots in worldview issues
Believing LIES impoverishes and enslaves people.
Strong biblical roots will produce good fruits (truth, honesty, self-control, trustworthiness)

EditorJune 12, 2017Africa, worldview, Satan, development, povertyComment

Reflection: An Autobiographical Sketch of My Work with Children’s Education in Kenya

by Lois Semenye

As a Sunday School teacher of children, I noticed the need for relevant and authentic biblical materials that would address the needs of my Kenyan students. After getting A PhD from a university in the US, in 1997, Christian Learning Materials Centre (CLMC) invited me to head the organization and oversee the development of Christian materials that are relevant to the African culture. Besides production of materials, there was also a great need to train the teachers on how to use them. I always try to have a young person I am mentoring in the importance and methods of Christian education.

EditorFebruary 20, 2017Africa, education, mentoring, worldview, leadershipComment

Area Studies

The WCIU InternationalDevelopment Journal

The WCIU International
Development Journal