The scriptural challenge to African views on the concept of resurrection

Abstract

This study investigates the African Christian's views with regard to the resurrection of the body. An attempt is done to do an intensive research regarding the aspects such as the origin of man, the soul/spirit, body, death, burial, ancestral spirits, and the resurrection of the body. The Bible is taken as the point of departure; hence, each of these aspects is then biblically evaluated to derive to a clear conclusion. In Chapter 2 the African views have been outlined, and at the same time a scientific questionnaire was developed in order to gather more information about those views. Scripture was utilised even in this regard to give clear doctrinal interpretations and clear-cut conclusions. In Chapter 3 all the portions that define the aspect of the resurrection both in the OT and the NT were investigated, interpreted, summarised, and then conclusions were given. In this regard the Reformed Confessions (which are based on the Bible) are utilised to defend the doctrine of the resurrection of the body. Therefore in Chapter 4 an integration of information gathered from chapter 2 and 3 is done. A critical evaluation takes place in order to come to a contextual conclusion. Chapter 5 gives some conclusive remarks. It also looks into the implications, consequences, and recommendations with regard to the doctrine of the resurrection of the body.