African theology encompasses various types of theological study in Africa, including Christian and indigenous religions. It has been influenced by Islam, Christianity, feminism, education, and social change. Traditional African religions involve multiple deities and rituals. African theology is constantly evolving due to changing religious and political dominance and the influence of Western religious leaders.
African theology is a general term referring to the many types of theological study in Africa. Speakers discussing African theology may be referring to different things in different contexts or fields of study. It can be used to describe general African theological thought, including ideas from all religions, or it can refer only to the Christian theology of that region. In some quarters the term may be used to describe the different ways of studying religion that originated from Africa, or it may refer to the means of observing religion that African theologians learned from Western theologians.
As the largest religion in Africa, Islamic theology clearly has great influence on general African theology. The development of African theology has also been greatly influenced by Christianity, which is the second most popular religion on the continent. Africa was an important part of the world during the rise of early Christianity, and Christian missions from European nations helped build Christianity further in Africa.
Other factors that have influenced the development of African theology include feminism, education and social change. The continuing religious missions and Bible study groups initiated by both local and overseas Christians have a great impact on African theology even today. When discussing Christian theology and history, many people use the term African theology to refer only to Christian theological thought that comes from Africa.
Indigenous African religions also have an effect on how people of Africa view God. While there are a number of variations on traditional indigenous religion in Africa, there are only a few dominant traditional religious belief systems, the largest being includes Yoruba, Mande and Akan. The beliefs held in each traditional religion are usually regionally dominant and are more often transmitted orally, rather than through written works. Common practices in traditional African religions include attention to multiple deities and rituals for magic, healing, and to honor the dead. For many, traditional beliefs and practices coexist alongside the practice of Christianity or Islam.
Changes in religious and political dominance and the influence of leaders in Africa mean that its popular theology is constantly evolving. The influence of Western religious leaders counseling African religious leaders continues to change African theology. While many religious missions work to shape African theological thinking for the betterment of the people there, some religious and political leaders push to shape African social policy by popularizing related religious dogma.
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