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by David Chidester (Author), Judy Tobler (Author), Darrel Wratten (Author)
In all its diversity, Christianity has been a powerful force in South African life. From the history of colonial missions, through the development of denominations, to the emergence of African initiated churches, Christianity has assumed a variety of distinctively South African forms. This comprehensive guide offers detailed reviews of over 600 works that have established the importance of Christianity in South African history, society, and religious experience. Of interest to scholars and students of religious studies, cultural anthropology, African Studies, and history, this volume, together with African Traditional Religion in South Africa and Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism in South Africa (both Greenwood, 1997), will become the standard reference work on South African religions.
In each section--Christian Missions, Christian Denominations, and African Initiated Churches--an introductory essay identifies significant themes in the literature. The annotations are concise yet detailed essays, written in an engaging and accessible style and supported by an exhaustive index. The book therefore provides a full and complex profile of Christianity as a religious tradition in South Africa.Author Biography
DAVID CHIDESTER is Professor of Comparative Religion and Director of the Institute for Comparative Religion in Southern Africa at the University of Cape Town. His recent books include Savage Systems: Colonialism and Comparative Religion in Southern Africa (1996), Religions of South Africa (1992), and Shots in the Streets: Violence and Religion in South Africa (1992).
JUDY TOBLER is Research Manager for the Institute for Comparative Religion in Southern Africa at the University of Cape Town.
DARREL WRATTEN is Lecturer in Religious Studies and Associate Director of the Institute for Comparative Religion in Southern Africa at the University of Cape Town.
Chidester, Tobler, and Wratten are coauthors of Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism in South Africa: An Annotated Bibliography and, with Chirevo Kwenda and Robert Petty, African Traditional Religion in South Africa: An Annotated Bibliography (both Greenwood, 1997).
