Seventh-Day Adventism in Africa: A Historical Survey of The Interaction Between Religion, Traditions, and Culture

✍ Scribed by Gabriel Masfa

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2023
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 253
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book examines the complex history of Adventism in Africa, situating it within the context of African traditions and culture. From a small movement with origins in the United States, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has grown worldwide. It is one of several Christian denominations present in Africa and yet the history of Seventh-day Adventism in the global South has been largely unexplored by scholars. The book highlights the discrepancies between western traditions exhibited in the missionary enterprise and African religious systems. It also explores the intricate relation between colonialism and African Adventism in line with established studies in African Christianity. It will be of interest to scholars of religion and theology, particularly church history and mission studies, as well as African studies.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Endorsements
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgements
General Introduction: The African Christian Context
African Christianity: The Earliest Historical Context
North African Heritage
Nubia and Axum
Early Missionaries in Sub-Saharan Africa
Christian Missions in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
Notes
1. African Seventh-day Adventism's Roots: The Western Background
The Great Advent Awakening in America
The Millerite Movement (1839-1844)
The Rise and Fundamentals of Seventh-day Adventism
Gradual Development and Understanding of Universal Mission among the Sabbatarians
Conclusion
Notes
2. The Uncertain Context: Multiple Challenges and the Rise of African Adventism (1880s-1920s)
Southern Africa's Experience
The East Coast's Experience
The West Coast's Experience
Northern Africa's Experience
The Great War
Other General Negative Factors
Transportation
Language Barriers
African Cultural Challenges
Islam
Conclusion
Notes
3. Mission in the Age of Colonialism, Part One: Seventh-day Adventism in Africa and the Pre-Independence Era (1887-1960s)
Colonialism and Missionary Enterprise in Africa
Colonialism and Western Adventist Missionaries
Seventh-day Adventism's Colonial Administrative Structures
Education and Medicine: Subsidiaries of Mission in the Era of Colonialism
Education
Medicine
Impact on Socio-Economic Life
Adventism Taking Shape in a Colonial Setting
Progress in Southern Africa
Progress in Eastern Africa
Progress in Western Africa
Progress in Central Africa
Progress in North Africa
Conclusion
Notes
4. Mission in the Age of Colonialism, Part Two: Personalities, Moving Stories, and the Progress of Adventism in Africa (1886-1990)
Ellen White, Adventist Missionary Enterprise, and Western Cultural Imperialism
Select Adventist Missionaries in Africa
White Missionary Methods and Strategies
Conclusion
Notes
5. Early African Adventist Evangelists: African Adventism and Indigenous Contributions (1940s-1990s)
Post-colonial Theory and Christian Missions in Africa
The Rise of Early African Adventist Evangelists
Select New Evangelists
The Impact of Early New Evangelists on the Collective Growth of Seventh-day Adventism in Africa
Local Pioneers' Evangelistic Methods
Conclusion
Notes
6. Adventism in Africa: The Statistical Centre of Global Seventh-Day Adventism (2008-the Present)
Following the Trajectory in Early Adventism's History
The Early Centre in North America
From North America to South America
Growth Moving to Africa
Factors Explaining the Growth of Seventh-day Adventism in Africa
Implications of Adventism on Global Southern Trajectory
Theological Implications
Missiological Implications
Conclusion
Notes
7. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Africa and Its Relations with Other Christian Denominations
Christian Denominations in Africa: Current Status
Seventh-day Adventism within Christianity in Africa
Further Ecumenical Considerations
Conclusion
Notes
8. Identity Crisis: Traditions, African Religions, and African Adventism
Adventism and Culture in Early and Modern African Societies: The Context of Identity Crisis
Crisis as Linked to African Traditional Religion
The Nature of African Traditional Religion
Traditional Medicine
Practice of Magic and Witchcraft
The Supreme God
ATR and the Abrahamic Religions
ATR and the African Diaspora
Influence of African Traditional Religion on Seventh-day Adventism in Africa
A Review of Adventist Responses to Practices Derived from African Traditional Religion and Traditions
Crisis as Linked to African Adventism's Self-Awareness among other Cultural Diversities
Conclusion
Notes
9. General Conclusion
Summary
Conclusion
Appendices
Appendix I: Chronology of the Development of Adventist Missions in Africa and the Pioneer Missionaries
Appendix II: Early Schools in Southern, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
Appendix III: Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (2015 Edition)
The Holy Scriptures
The Trinity
The Father
The Son
The Holy Spirit
Creation
The Nature of Humanity
The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ
The Experience of Salvation
Growing in Christ
The Church
The Remnant and Its Mission
Unity in the Body of Christ
Baptism
The Lord's Supper
Spiritual Gifts and Ministries
The Gift of Prophecy
The Law of God
The Sabbath
Stewardship
Christian Behaviour
Marriage and the Family
Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary
The Second Coming of Christ
Death and Resurrection
The Millennium and the End of Sin
The New Earth
Appendix IV: Spiritualism and the Adventist Church in Africa: Guidelines and Recommendations
Introduction
Theological Foundation
Specific Guidelines
Demonic Possession
Definition and Diagnosis
Specific Guidelines
Integration of the Former Victim into the Church
Prevention
Other Demonic Interferences
Ancestor Veneration
Definition and Diagnosis
Specific Guidelines
Prevention
Witchcraft, Magic, and Sorcery
Definition and Diagnosis
Specific Guidelines
Prevention
Traditional Healing
Definition
Specific Guidelines
Intervention
Rites of Passage
Definition
Specific Guidelines
Bibliography
Index