Global Gospel

An Introduction to Christianity on Five Continents

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Chapter

3. Africa

Discussion Questions

  1. If you had been an African living in Africa during the height of the slave trade, what would you have thought about Christianity? If you had been an African living in Africa during the height of the colonial era, what would you have thought about Christianity?

  2. “Word of faith” Pentecostalism (sometimes referred to as the “health and wealth gospel”) flourishes in contemporary Africa. Do you think that God hears and answers prayers for health and healing? Do you think that God hears and answers prayers for personal well-being? Do you think that God hear and answer prayers for wealth? Why or why not?

  3. Muslim-Christian relations are a huge issue in contemporary Africa. Do you view Christianity and Islam as very different religions or as somewhat similar religions? Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God? Do you think that Muslims and Christians can live peaceably together?

  4. Violence has been a prominent feature of life in contemporary Africa despite the prominence of Christianity in the region. For Christians, is peace always a priority? Is warfare (either civil war or international conflict) ever justifiable when both parties are Christian?

  5. Ubuntu (human interrelatedness) is an important value in Africa. How interrelated do you think human beings are? When you make personal decisions, do you take into account their possible impact on others? If you take that impact on others into account, how wide a circle of other people do you include—just your family, family and friends, people you know personally, or those who share your own nationality? Can anyone take everyone into account in their decision-making?

  6. Most Africans believe that the dead can still impact the living. What is the status of dead people? Can the dead have an impact on the living?

  7. African Christians name God in many different ways. If you were going to create a new name to explain who God is for you, what would that name (or metaphor) be? African Christians also believe that God is the God of everyone and everything. Do you agree? Who is God for Christians? Who is God for non-Christians? Who is God for non-human creation?