Ubuntu Apologetics in Faith Formation

Abstract

Faith formation is a crucial area in youth ministry. Although the area of apologetics may be a helpful bridge, the theory and praxis of apologetics in the African context is scanty. The work of apologists such as William Lane Craig, John Frame, Ravi Zacharias, and John Lennox has responded to the post-Christian context of Europe and North America. Much needs to be done in light of the African contextual realities. Using a practical theological methodology, this paper considers how ubuntu apologetics – which honors both the cognitive and affective development of adolescents – can lead to holistic faith formation of African youth. This research paper will 1) consider youth ministry contextual realities in Kenya and Africa; 2) analyze foundational methods of apologetics; 3) utilize an ethnographic methodology in analyzing the data and 4) offer recommendations for youth ministry education and practice in Nairobi and Africa at large.

Faith, Science, and Nonreligious Identity Formation Among Male Kenyan Youth

“…Religious communities could benefit through providing spaces where young people exposed to scientific thought can wrestle with specific religious claims, such as the religious teaching on creation. Ndereba (2021) has explored how such spaces of exploration can be implemented in light of the communality (“ubuntu”) aspect of African cultures while viewing the unique developmental challenges of young people in a holistic manner that bridges their affective and cognitive aspects. Nonreligious communities could benefit through moving beyond the usual caricature of strong incompatibilism that is part of popular atheist literature.…”