Anatomy of Inculturation Transforming the Church in Africa

includes index and biblioraphy

Part One THE CURRENT EXPERIENCE 1. Inculturation in Kenya Is It Happening? Research Procedure Conceptualizations of Inculturation in the Catholic Church Understanding of Inculturation in the AICs Process of Inculturation What Areas Need Inculturating? Women in the Church Church and Development Unity in Diversity Understanding of the Bible African Theology 2. Inculturation in Tanzania Taking Popular Spirituality Seriously Introduction Conceptualizations of Inculturation Process and Praxis of Inculturation Ethical Dimensions of Official Inculturation Challenges and Problems Constructive Imagination: Praxis of Inculturation among Ordinary Christians Concluding Remarks 3. Inculturation in Uganda Appreciating New Ways of Being Church Introduction Scope of Research Understanding of Inculturation Facilitating Inculturation The Purpose of Inculturation African Theology, Church as a Family, and Dialogue Church Unity and Development The Liturgy Instruments and Symbols Morality The Bible Recommendations and Observations 4. Where Are We? Learning from the Data The Practice of the Faith Worship/Liturgy Healing and Deliverance Symbols, Leadership Structures and Gender Issues The Bible Ecumenism Theology Part Two THE EXPERIENCE AT THE BEGINNING 5. Old Testament Foundations Israel and the Nations Change and Growth through Praxis and Experience Divine Inspiration in the Old Testament The Hebrew Bible, History and Myth Africa and the Old Testament 6. Christianity in History Early Beginnings Jesus in Historical Christianity Appropriating the Faith in New Testament Times Africa and the New Testament Interpreting the New Testament in Africa 7. Fine-tuning Structures and Doctrine The Patristic Period Development of Church Structure Struggles about Doctrine The African Contribution 8. The Age In-Between Philosophers and Reformers Thomas Aquinas, Scholasticism and the Enlightenment Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue The African Situation 9. The Church in Mission The Cultural Dynamics of Encounter The Original Missionary Impulse Mission in Modern Times Questions for Mission Today The Practice of Mission The Shape of the Encounter Inculturation and Its Implications The Function of Inculturation Inculturation as Conversion Inculturation and Identity Inculturation and Imagination Inculturation Is Always with Us 10. Ways of Imagining and Imaging the Holy Christian Narratives of Revelation ancl Inculturation Quest for Personal Voice/ Agency The African Palaver The Bible as Paradigm Life as the Sacred "Text" of Revelation 11. African Constructive Imagination Review of Literature Theology in a New Key The Urgency of the Process Methods and Strategies of Inculturation A Home-Grown Product Critiquing African Religion Constructively Peace and Reconciliation Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue Official Church Perspectives Conclusion Part Three A LOOK TO THE FUTURE 12. Practical Models of the Church Sources and Resources for "Planned" Inculturation What Is Spirituality? The Power of Ritual Celebration Ritual Words and Actions Sacred Images The Seven Sacraments Other Sacraments in Life 13. Christian Initiatives toward New Rites in Africa African Initiated Churches Experimentation in the Catholic Church Conclusion 14. Some Pastoral Dimensions Self-Identity of the African Church Some Pastoral Questions Searching for Unity in Diversity 15. Concluding Remarks African in the Twenty-First Century Systemic Racism Aspects of Liminality of the Church