Africanization of Christian theologies

Abstract

African Christian theologies are more and more present in international theological dialogue. They represent an attempt at adaptation of the Gospel to African thought and life styles and support the specific development of Africa, the one respecting traditional ecclesiastical learning but making in the same time a new contributory effort at understanding the religious and cultural tradition of Africa. In a big part of Africa original African religions have been displaced by universal religious systems (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism) turned into dominant religions in Africa. But original African religions are coherent ;ind they don’t disappear but continue to exist even within the universal religious systems. Adaptation occurs on both sides, Christianity and Cristian theologies in particular appear to finti their specific manifestations exactly in African theologies. To understand contemporary Christian theologies in Africa, original African religions must be comprehended which influence a new African theological Christian thought by their conception of man and the world. African theology influences Christianity by authentic African religious experience comprised in original African religions. A great number of African theologians consider their new theologies contribute to struggle for a complete liberation of the peoples of Africa as well as for creation of the new, more human society. The final document of the Pan-African theological conference emphasizes that African theology is faith in Christ - Liberator.