The Road to Unity
The Lutheran Churches of Southern Africa Confronting a Divided Past
Will be published approx. on 23. June 2026
264 pages
978-1-040-96858-1 (ISBN)
Description
This volume traces the historical development of Lutheran churches in southern Africa from colonial establishment through apartheid to contemporary unity efforts. The study examines mission-to-church transitions, responses to apartheid, and multiple attempts at achieving unity including the formation of FELCSA, LUCSA, and includes:
Comprehensive historical analysis of Lutheran churches in southern Africa from colonial establishment to contemporary unity efforts
Examination of mission-to-church transitions and responses to apartheid within Lutheran denominations
Critical assessment of unity initiatives including FELCSA, LUCSA, and joint theological education at LTI
Analysis of the 1964 UELCSA and 1975 ELCSA formations and their impact on racial divisions within Lutheran churches
Documentation of failed unity attempts and the 2008 collapse of unity talks with lessons for future efforts
This title has been co-published with UKZN Press. T&F does not sell or distribute the print versions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Comprehensive historical analysis of Lutheran churches in southern Africa from colonial establishment to contemporary unity efforts
Examination of mission-to-church transitions and responses to apartheid within Lutheran denominations
Critical assessment of unity initiatives including FELCSA, LUCSA, and joint theological education at LTI
Analysis of the 1964 UELCSA and 1975 ELCSA formations and their impact on racial divisions within Lutheran churches
Documentation of failed unity attempts and the 2008 collapse of unity talks with lessons for future efforts
This title has been co-published with UKZN Press. T&F does not sell or distribute the print versions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Illustrations
2 Tables, black and white; 1 Line drawings, black and white; 19 Halftones, black and white; 20 Illustrations, black and white
File size
15,08 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-040-96858-1 (9781040968581)
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
Book
approx. 06/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€191.50
Not yet published
Person
Philippe Denis is Professor Emeritus in the School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. His research focuses on church history, oral history, and the history of Christianity in southern Africa. He has published extensively on mission history, religious responses to apartheid, and the role of churches in social transformation. Denis has supervised numerous postgraduate students and contributed significantly to the documentation of religious history in the region. His scholarly work combines historical analysis with theological reflection, addressing questions of ecclesial unity, denominational development, and the intersection of faith and politics in southern African contexts.
Content
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction
The Colonial Legacy
From Mission to Church
A Mixed Response to Apartheid
The Shock of Budapest
In the Fire of Apartheid
The Unity Committee and Its Aftermath
Non-Racial Theological Education
Conclusion
Epilogue
Chronological Timeline of Lutheran Churches in Southern Africa
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction
The Colonial Legacy
From Mission to Church
A Mixed Response to Apartheid
The Shock of Budapest
In the Fire of Apartheid
The Unity Committee and Its Aftermath
Non-Racial Theological Education
Conclusion
Epilogue
Chronological Timeline of Lutheran Churches in Southern Africa
Bibliography
Index
