In a sense this is the easiest question to answer, but also the hardest. Easy insofar as the Bible says that we should worship God alone and through Jesus only. Therefore making sacrifices to the ancestors or being obedient to them constitutes syncretism. But it is hard because for many African people the belief is that if the ancestors are not kept informed as to events in the lives of their children they may become angry and withhold blessing or send misfortune. This is so far from my western Christian worldview that I struggle to engage with it - but I know for some, this is part of their upbringing and they see no reason for it not to be true.
It would be good if there were black Africans who could engage with me on this . . .
So next question - how do we turn the theological blogosphere less white?
How do we get black Africans to trust white Africans with their theological thoughts?
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QUESTION 2: Start a Ministry of Reconciliation to pick up where the Truth and Reconciliation left off.
"How do we turn the theological blogosphere less white?"
That’s a great question. I’d suggest the answer is likened to how one would go about eating an elephant: one bite at a time. We should start by building an authentic African discussion divorced of race and focused on Theology. Once we’ve a solid platform we can diversify.
Could it be though that our current Theological disparity is a diversity which perhaps hampers our efforts?
I have to agree with Mark, Jesus died to atone for the sins of people, I think the whole difference between "Balck african thinking" and white african thinking" is more profound. We cling more to our idols than to Christ. Only in Christ is there unity.
I am going to see if I can find some black Africans willing to engage with us. But what is an authentic African discussion?
(I have enough trouble trying to appease the living!)
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