My Faith as an African Book

Acknowledgments vii

Foreword Simon E. Smith, S.J. ix

Preface xiii

Part I Reawakening the Wellsprings

1 An Itinerary 3

The Progression of the Mission and the Challenge of the Poor 3

The Sacrament of Community 6

Notes 12

2 The Ancestors and Christian Faith 13

African Symbolism 14

Living in Christ Our Relationship with the Dead 18

The Role of Sacrifice and the Diviner 21

Christian Life and the Transformation of African Society 24

An African Style of Celebration 26

The Ancestors and the Veneration of the Saints 28

A New Language for the Gospel 29

Notes 31

3 Telling the Story of God's Revelation 33

Black African Symbolism 34

Symbolism of the Physical World 37

Symbolism in the Initiation Ritual 40

Reawakening the Wellsprings of Existence 41

Toward a Living Relationship between Humanity and God 44

Toward an African Liturgy 47

A Faith for the Whole Person 50

Notes 52

4 The Future of Local Communities 55

Ending the Tyranny of the Clergy 55

Leadership within the Christian Community 60

Notes 64

Part II Faith at the Grassroots

5 The Health of Those without Dignity 67

The Medical System and the Social System 67

Christian Missions and Health Programs 75

Sickness and Sin in the Bible 77

Underdevelopment: The Locus of God's Healing Will 80

A Challenge for the Churches: Mistrust Our Motives 83

Notes 85

6 The Granary Is Empty 87

"Africa Strangled": The Peasants 88

The Confrontation of Cultures and the Irruption of the Poor 90

A Ministry of the Granary 92

Popular Resistance and Creativity 97

The Cross of the Third World 99

Notes 101

7 Is God Neutral? 102

The Gospel at the Heart of the Conflict105

Viewing the World from the Cross 108

Notes 112

Part III Christianity Faces the Challenges of Africa

8 The Gospel Is at the Heart of Conflicts 115

The Basic Conflict between Rich and Poor 115

A Time for Change 120

A Break Is Needed 121

The Calvary of a People 123

Witnessing to the Lord of Life 126

Christianity Must Be Credible 130

Notes 135

9 The Generations of Independence 137

The African Church's Search for a Relevant Faith 138

Problems for the People-Questions Unanswered by Early Evangelization 140

Time for a Parting of the Ways 142

Where Do We Begin? 143

The Pitfalls of Africanization 145

Taking on the Challenges of Tomorrow's Generations 148

Can Christianity Be Based on the "Periphery"? 151

The Role of African Christian Youth 156

Notes 157

10 Speaking about God to Africans 160

Requirements of Our Faith as Africans 162

The Risk of an African Interpretation 165

Inculturation Set Adrift 170

A Theology Coming from the People 174

Notes 177

Conclusion: Theology under the Tree 179

Note 182

Index 183