African churches

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African churches , or African-independent churches , are those congregations and special forms of Christianity in Africa that were not founded by European or American missionaries or colonialists of the modern age, but instead by Africans, primarily for Africans in Africa as an anti-colonial movement. One cannot speak of a homogeneous religious community here, but rather an inconsistent movement of tens of thousands of churches. In addition to the ancient oriental churches in northeast and east Africa, this primarily refers to modern, independent churches south of the Sahara.

African churches are grouped under the abbreviation AIC, whereby AIC is broken down differently depending on which aspect of the founding of churches or the parishes is to be emphasized and with African Independent Church, African Initiated Church, African Initiatives in Christianity, African Indigenous Churches or African Instituted Churches can be reproduced.

Many African churches are related to the Pentecostal movement . The African charismatic Pentecostal churches are often counted among the AICs.

History of origin

An important first step on the way to today's African churches was Ethiopism , which emerged in the 19th century, first in West and then in South Africa as a counter-movement to the European appropriation of the interpretation of the Gospel. Embedding traditional African cultures in Christianity creates identity for AICs. In contrast to mission churches, African churches are characterized by institutional and financial independence.

The emergence of the AICs can be divided into three phases: the classic AICs, classic Pentecostal churches and neo-Pentecostal churches . Since around 1880, the classic AICs have been characterized by their demarcation from the European and American mission churches (including traditional churches) and the protest against their interpretation of the Bible. From around 1910 onwards, classic African Pentecostal churches tended to be withdrawn from secular and political concerns due to a pronounced expectation of Parousia (expectation of the early return of Christ to earth at the Last Judgment) and concentrated more on charismatic elements within their community. In addition, there was indigenization, the integration of traditional African elements, the forms and contents of beliefs. The youngest of these movements are the neo-Pentecostal churches from around 1970. They understand prosperity and political influence as a positive distinction from God. Third generation AICs see themselves as part of the global Pentecostal movement and emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit in personal life.

Socio-economic aspect

Research highlights that AICs are important actors in socio-economic development in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Since the beginning of the 19th century there have been thinkers who have assumed that religious and economic growth are mutually beneficial .

Following on from this, there are currently more and more scientists and research groups who are investigating the rapidly growing AIC religious communities for their activities to promote economic growth. By and large, the question arises in this regard to what extent AICs can function as partners for international development cooperation and represent a breeding ground for economic upswing. Because in the age of the 21st century development means above all economic development.

What does economic success depend on?

AICs are able to promote positive social capital through their practices. In this sense, social capital should mean: "a network that enables individuals to act collectively". The promotion of positive social capital leads to increased mutual trust and peaceful community life, which has a lucrative effect on the existing economy. This is further promoted by the specific values ​​and practices of the AICs already outlined above.

The Christian database Adherents.com states that the African churches are the third largest Christian denomination group with 110 million followers worldwide (after the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox churches and before the Pentecostal movement ). According to some authors, more than a third of all African Christians should follow these independent churches. According to other information, it should be at least a fifth.

literature

  1. ^ HW Turner: A Typology of African Religious Movements . In: Journal of Religion in Africa . tape 1 , no. 1 , 1967, p. 17 .
  2. ↑ Öhlmann, Philipp; Frost, Marie-Luise; Gräb, Wilhelm: What are African Initiated Churches? In: Brief opinion 02/2018. Research area Religious Communities and Sustainable Development, accessed on November 28, 2018 .
  3. ↑ John S. Pobee, Gabriel Ositelu: African Initiatives in Christianity. The Growth, Gifts and Diversities of Indigenous African Churches - A Challenge to the Ecumenical Movement. Ed .: WCC Publications. Geneva 1998.
  4. ^ African Church of the Holy Spirit African Church of the Holy Spirit
  5. ↑ Philip Öhlmann, Marie-Luise Frost, William Gräb: African Initiated Churches' potential as development actors . In: HTS Theologiese Studies / Theological Studies . tape 72 , no. 4 , November 22, 2016, ISSN  2072-8050 , p. 12 pages , doi : 10.4102 / hts.v72i4.3825 ( org.za [accessed January 11, 2018]).
  6. ↑ Anderson, Allan .: Zion and pentecost: the spirituality and experience of Pentecostal and Zionist / Apostolic churches in South Africa . University of South Africa, Pretoria 2000, ISBN 978-1-86888-143-7 .
  7. ↑ Öhlmann, Philipp; Frost, Marie-Luise; Gräb, Wilhelm ;: What are African Initiated Churches. In: Brief opinion 02/2018. Research area Religious Communities and Sustainable Development, accessed on November 28, 2018 .
  8. ↑ J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu: Pentecostalism and the transformation of the African Christian Landscape . In: Martin Lindhardt (Ed.): Pentecostalism in Africa. Presence and Impact of Pneumatic Christianity in Postcolonial Societies. Leiden: Brill, S. 100-114 .
  9. ↑ Öhlmann, Philipp; Frost, Marie-Luise; Gräb Wilhelm ;: What are African Initiated Churches. In: Brief opinion 02/2018. Research area Religious Communities and Sustainable Development, accessed on November 28, 2018 .
  10. ↑ Philip Öhlmann, Marie-Luise Frost, William Gräb: African Initiated Churches' potential as development actors . In: HTS Theologiese Studies / Theological Studies . tape 72 , no. 4 , November 22, 2016, ISSN  2072-8050 , p. 12 pages , doi : 10.4102 / hts.v72i4.3825 ( org.za [accessed January 11, 2018]).
  11. ↑ Barbara Bompani: Religion and Development from Below: Independent Christianity in South Africa . In: Journal of Religion in Africa . tape 40 , no. 3 , January 1, 2010, ISSN  1570-0666 , p. 307-330 , doi : 10.1163 / 157006610x525435 ( brillonline.com [accessed January 11, 2018]).
  12. ↑ Research Area Religious Communities and Sustainable Development: Research Area Religious Communities and Sustainable Development. Retrieved November 28, 2018 .
  13. ↑ Peter L. Berger: MAX WEBER IS ALIVE AND WELL, AND LIVING IN GUATEMALA: THE PROTESTANT ETHIC TODAY . In: The Review of Faith & International Affairs . 2010.
  14. ↑ Michael Woolcock and Deepa Narayan: Social Capital: Implications for Development Theory, Research, and Policy, The World Bank Research Observer . Ed .: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / THE WORLD Bank. vol. 15, no.2, August 2000, p. 225-49 .
  15. ↑ adherents.com: Major Branches of Christianity
  16. ^ Christoff M. Pauw: African Independent Churches as a 'People's Response' to the Christian Message. In: Journal for the Study of Religion. Vol. 8, No. 1, 1995, ISSN  1011-7601 , pp. 3-25.
  17. ↑ 37 to 46 million followers of ancient oriental churches (sum of the individual information on the respective states in Africa according to the Foreign Office, Brockhaus, CIA World Fact Book, Fischer Weltalmanach, Harenberg aktuell, Spiegel Jahrbuch, US Department of State, Religious Freedom Report and MSN Encarta) plus 5 to 10 million Kimbanguists, 4 million Zion Christians, 3 million Legio Maria Catholics and 15–20 million followers of West African mixed religions make over 80 million independent believers out of a total of up to 400 million African Christians.

See also