Rationale

The M.Th in African Christianity is a two-year, 48 credit hour Programme that is designed to provide relevant theological training for Christian leaders in the African Church and society. Since Africa is now acknowledged to be a heartland of the gospel and a central zone of theological activity in the world, the Programme focuses on the serious study of African Christianity. In particular, it examines theological issues arising in African contexts, and explores the ongoing formulation of African theologies that address such issues. However, given the local and the global dimensions of theology, the Programme examines African Christianity in relation to the worldwide development of Christian tradition, both past and present.

The Programme is therefore relevant for theological educators in formal and informal (e.g., TEE) settings, for those in pastoral ministries within church and para-church organizations, and those in Christian NGO and development agencies.

Objectives

The objectives of the M.Th in African Christianity are to enable students:

• To understand and express the substance of contemporary African Christianity in relation to the historical and theological development of Christian tradition worldwide
• To become thoroughly grounded in the history of Christianity in Africa, including missionary proclamations of the gospel and African initiatives in evangelism and church growth
• To identify, and discuss leading theologians in Africa (both ancient and modern)
• To identify and evaluate major theological trends across the continent
• To discern and critique various theological methodologies employed in African theologies
• To discern and critique various theological methodologies employed in African theologies