Charismatic appropriations of Edward W. Fasholé-Luke's Theologia Africana

Abstract

Although scholarly literature about the theologies of newer Pentecostal and Charismatic movements (CMs) in Africa is growing, few attempts have been made to apply specific models proposed by the giants of African theology to the church contexts of Charismatic Movements. Mindful of the risk of oversimplification, the specific experiences of CMs in Sierra Leone makes this statement much more justifiable. In this article, I attempt to draw a connection between Professor Edward W. FasholéLuke's Theologia Africana and the church context of CMs in Sierra Leone. Using Fasholé-Luke's Theologia Africana, I argue that the CMs' desire is to promote a theology whose shape, content and feature was not indexed upon imported theologies, but one that is solidly engraved in the hearts and minds of Africans. If this theology was to serve its intended purpose, which is to make the new convert both Christian as well as genuinely and authentically African, then it must be developed by Africans themselves. The article notes that this is exactly what transpired in Sierra Leone after the accession of CMs.