Law, gospel and African theology

Abstract

Because Africa was viewed as a dark continent which lacked religion, Western missionaries presented a Gospel that was filled with their predilections to civilize Africans. Africans regarded this Gospel as one that did not respond to their pertinent questions of life. This study assesses salvation according to the Bible and critiques the "Gospel" which Africans received from missionaries. It contrasts biblical views of salvation with those held by African traditional religion (ATR) adherents, examining the ways in which Africans bring their religious practices to conform to biblical models. Rituals such as ancestral foods, worship, and animal sacrifices are evaluated against sacraments such as the Eucharist and baptism. It also discusses the tenets of salvation, namely grace, faith, and Law, which must form the core of ATR. In the end, a model of salvation is presented that would embrace the African personality whilst ensuring that in migrating to Christianity, their insecurities fade.