EKWE Volume 17 Number 1 2024

RESILIENCE AND ADAPTATION: THE PERSISTENCE OF CHRISTIAN ROOTS IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN CHRISTIANITY

Rev Dr. Chukwunonso, Joseph Nosike Owulo Joshua Odey Nwosu Kanayo Chike
Abstract

This study investigates the role of Christian religious roots within contemporary African Christianity, focusing on the diverse interpretations and appropriations of these roots by African Indigenous Churches (AICs), charismatic and Pentecostal movements, and mainline denominations. Employing a qualitative research approach and drawing on secondary data sources, the study examines the relationship between Christian religious roots and African indigenous beliefs, assessing the implications of syncretism for the authenticity and continuity of Christian traditions within African cultural contexts. Additionally, it evaluates the relevance of Christian religious roots in addressing contemporary socio-political challenges in Africa, including corruption, inequality, and conflict. The study contributes to the ongoing discourse on African Christianity by offering insights into the resilience, adaptability, and transformative potential of Christian religious roots within the diverse and rapidly changing landscapes of African societies.

Keywords: adaptation, african, christian, christianity, contemporary, persistence, resilience, roots
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