Revisiting the concept of inculturation in a modern Africa: A reflection on salient issues

Abstract

This article revisited the concept of ‘Inculturation’ in modern Africa. Through the use of a historical phenomenological method, the article averred that Inculturation of Christianity in modern Africa is a herculean task that demands absolute caution. Hence, the article discussed some salient issues such as the evolutionary nature of African culture; the unity of the Christendom; and the Christian ecological concern, which should be put into serious consideration in the entire process of inculturation in Africa to safeguard the essence of the gospel of Christ and to meet contemporary challenges.

Recognition and justification: Towards a rationalisation approach to inculturation

“…For now, we sum the above accounts of inculturation as the missiological use of the term. Let us assess their manifestations in non-papal positions, specifically in the suggestions of Nche et al (2016) on how to improve inculturation in Africa.…”

“…To sample our position about the limited perspective to inculturation, we assess the official positions of specific Christian authorities (John Paul II 1990;Pius XII 1951). We also single out a recent suggestion by Nche, Okwuosa and Nwaoga (2016) on how to improve inculturation in Africa. We then show how the failure of the suggestions by the authors and others like them result from the limited perspective to inculturation.…”

“…There is also a certain unwillingness to see Christianity as a cultural option among others. There is rather an entrenched supposition that Christianity has something special to offer, which has to be re-interpreted for eased acceptance by or 'incarnation into' (John Paul II 1990;Nche et al 2016;Shorter 1973) the receiving cultures. From the point of view of this supposition, the proponents accept that inculturation as it has been practised needs to be improved.…”

Multiple Religious Belonging (MRB)

“…Also, even though religions are expected to be inclusive, such a demand works more on an ontological and structural level for a religion like Christianity than just being open to the other. 2 As such, the less theologically controversial inculturation becomes, the more difficult to practice it is. As Magesa submits, "the problem of inculturation in the essentialist sense is therefore much more complicated in Africa today than it should have been."…”

Liturgical Inculturation at Javanese Christian Church, Gondokusuman, Yogyakarta

“…Most of previous studies are focused on theological perspectives (e.g. Nyabwari and Katola [2] Nche [4]; Anthony [5]; Presmanes [6]; Gallagher [7]; Okigbo [8]; Amuah, Ocran and Acquah [9]. Other related research done by Kurgat [10] investigated the demand and relevance of inculturation for cultural development.…”