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by Bénézet Bujo (Author), John O'Donohue (Translator)
Increasingly, theologians from non-Western lands demand that theology be done in a new, non-eurocentric way. First published in German, 'African Theology in Its Social Context', by one of Africa's most respected theologians, meets this challenge. Bujo takes traditional African values to the horizon of contemporary social issues: extreme poverty, mass unemployment, rapid urbanization, changing family life. His underlying concern is for the African people and for the models they will choose for their society, their economy, their church. Bujo begins with Jesus. Asking how Christ can be seen as an African among Africans, Bujo identifies Jesus as Ancestor -- the One from Whom all life flows. He goes on to define distinctively African roles for the church, clergy, and lay people alike. From the standpoint of African legal and religious traditions -- many far older than those of the Western church -- Bujo describes pastoral approaches to such issues as death and marriage in Africa. This original and challenging work shows how Africans need not change culture to be called children of God; and how, indeed, Christianity can become a source of fullness of life for Africans. An excellent introduction into how far African theology has come and where it will need to go. . . . Bujo is especially worth reading because he looks not only at Christianity in village and town life, but also at issues besetting Christian faith in the cities. Highly recommended. -- Robert J. Schreiter, Catholic Theological Union Benezet Bujo, a diocesan priest from Zaire, is a Professor of Theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. His other books include 'African Theology in the 21st Century' (2003) and 'Foundations of an African Ethic: Beyond the Universal Claims of Western Morality' (2001).
