The Church as Salt and Light
Path to an African Ecclesiology of Abundant Life
Published on 25. October 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-0-227-68008-7 (ISBN)
Description
At once prophetic, pastoral, and personal, this book applies the symbols of 'salt' and 'light' as ecclesiological images for reimaging the African Church for today and tomorrow. The proposal of this book is to reconsider the path towards abundant life for God's people in the challenging context of African continent, and through the agency of African Christianity. The contributors stress the necessity of de-Westernizing African Christianity and ask these fundamental questions: What is the face of Jesus in African Christianity? What is the face and identity of the Church in Africa? What positive imprint is Christianity leaving on the lives and societies of African Christians? Does the Christian message have the potential of positively affecting African civilization as it once did in Europe? What is the relevance and place of African Christianity as a significant voice in shaping both the future of Africa and that of world Christianity?
Reviews / Votes
"This volume offers many unique insights into the way that Christianity can be performed in such a way that it counters and overcomes the oppressive paradigms."Nathan Crawford, Reviews in Religion and Theology Vol.20 Issue 3. July 2013
'This is a fine cutting-edge book by energetic, young black African Roman Catholic theologians. They tilt against the legacy of colonialism and current centralising tendencies in Rome. They long for freedom to increase inculturation, lay involvement, and the part played by women in the life and administration of the RC Church.'
Graham Kings, Church Times, 18 October 2013
"The Church as Salt and Light discusses how Christians in Africa can develop distinct, thriving communities that contextualize the gospel and abundant life of Jesus. [...] The passionate essays suggest steps of evangelization beginning with the 'demand for a richer and more intimate contact with Christ'. [...] The essays are grounded in christocentric biblical theology and are designed to be 'prophetic and personal'."
Craig Stephans, Church of the Redeemer, USA, in Theological Book Review (tbr), Vol. 25, No.1, 2013
"The Church as Salt and Light may contribute towards an understanding of how African ecclesiology should be viewed."
Peter Nagel, Religion & Theology, vol 21, issue 1-2, 2014
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 153 mm
Weight
289 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-227-68008-7 (9780227680087)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Alex Ojacor | Joseph Ogbonnaya | Stan Chu Ilo
The Church as Salt and Light
Path to an African Ecclesiology of Abundant Life
E-Book
11/2012
James Clarke & Co Ltd
€20.99
Available for download
Persons
The Editors: Stan Chu Ilo is Assistant Professor of Religion and Education, University of St. Michael's College in the University of Toronto. Alex Ojacor is a professor of Religion and Associate Dean of Studies at St. Mary's National Major Seminary Ggaba in Kampala. Joseph Ogbonnaya is a scholar at the Lonergan Research Institute, Regis College, Toronto, and chaplain of the Igbo Catholic Community of Toronto.
Content
Foreword by Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, SJ
Introduction
1. Beginning Afresh with Christ in the Search for Abundant Life in Africa / Stan Chu Ilo
2. The Church in Africa and the Search for Integral and Sustainable Development of Africa: Toward a Socio-Economic and Politically Responsive Church / Emeka Xris Obiezu
3. The Church in Africa: Salt of the Earth? / Joseph Ogbonnaya
4. The Church in Africa and the Search for Abundant Life: Signposts for Renewal and Transformation of God's People in Africa / Alex Ojacor
5. Globalization and the African Woman: A Socio-Cultural Analysis of the Effect of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on Women / Bosco Ebere Amakwe
6. New Evangelization in Africa: Learning from the Culture of Love in the Early Church / Bekeh Ukelina Utietiang
Conclusion
Bibliography
Contributors
Introduction
1. Beginning Afresh with Christ in the Search for Abundant Life in Africa / Stan Chu Ilo
2. The Church in Africa and the Search for Integral and Sustainable Development of Africa: Toward a Socio-Economic and Politically Responsive Church / Emeka Xris Obiezu
3. The Church in Africa: Salt of the Earth? / Joseph Ogbonnaya
4. The Church in Africa and the Search for Abundant Life: Signposts for Renewal and Transformation of God's People in Africa / Alex Ojacor
5. Globalization and the African Woman: A Socio-Cultural Analysis of the Effect of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on Women / Bosco Ebere Amakwe
6. New Evangelization in Africa: Learning from the Culture of Love in the Early Church / Bekeh Ukelina Utietiang
Conclusion
Bibliography
Contributors