1st Edition
Seventh-Day Adventism in Africa A Historical Survey of The Interaction Between Religion, Traditions, and Culture
This book examines the complex history of Adventism in Africa, situating it within the context of African traditions and culture. From a small movement with origins in the United States, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has grown worldwide. It is one of several Christian denominations present in Africa and yet the history of Seventh-day Adventism in the global South has been largely unexplored by scholars. The book highlights the discrepancies between western traditions exhibited in the missionary enterprise and African religious systems. It also explores the intricate relation between colonialism and African Adventism in line with established studies in African Christianity. It will be of interest to scholars of religion and theology, particularly church history and mission studies, as well as African studies.
Foreword
Introduction: The African Christian Context
1 African Seventh-Day Adventism’s Roots: The Western Background
2 The Uncertain Context: Multiple Challenges and the Rise of African Adventism (1880s–1920s)
3 Mission in the Age of Colonialism, Part One: Seventh-Day Adventism in Africa and the Pre-Independence Era (1887–1960s)
4 Mission in the Age of Colonialism, Part Two: Personalities, Moving Stories, and the Progress of Adventism in Africa (1886–1990)
5 Early African Adventist Evangelists: African Adventism and Indigenous Contributions (1940s–1990s)
6 Adventism in Africa: The Statistical Centre of Global Seventh-Day Adventism (2008–the Present)
7 The Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Africa and Its Relations with Other Christian Denominations
8 Identity Crisis: Traditions, African Religions, and African Adventism
9 General Conclusion
Biography
Gabriel Masfa is a Lecturer in Church History in the Department of Religious Studies at Babcock University, Nigeria.
“Dr. Gabriel Masfa has provided a much-needed history of the advent movement in Africa in the longue durée, and this will prove an invaluable resource to lay and scholar alike.”
Benjamin Baker, University of Maryland“In this book, Dr. Masfa addresses an important, much-needed, but difficult topic: the development of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Africa over time. It is important because Adventism has grown rapidly in Africa, to the point that there are now more Adventists there than in any other region of the world. It is much-needed because no one has previously addressed an overview of Adventists in Africa. It was difficult because of the absence of histories of Adventism in many of the countries of Africa, so that the author was obliged to do original research rather than just pull the work of a lot of researchers at the country level together.”
Ronald Lawson, Professor Emeritus, Queens College, The City University of New York“This is a concise but indispensable source about the trajectory of the origin, exploits and challenges of Seventh-day Adventism in Africa. I highly recommend it to readers who desire a succinct book on Adventism in Africa.”
Sampson M. Nwaomah, Adventist University of Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, Editor-in-Chief, Pan-African Journal of Theology“While the oral narrative is key in Africa, the changing times dictate that the written word cannot be wished or washed away. Present and future generations of Christians, SDA adherents and scholars on African history and Christianity will find this volume a useful resource and reference, consequently, much appreciation to Masfa for this ‘mini library’ on the SDA Church in Africa.”
Mary N. Getui, Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya“In this book, Dr. Masfa navigates uncommon terrain to uncover the untold stories of the emergence, challenges and potentials of Seventh-day Adventism in Africa. The author’s skill, unconventional approach and contributions make this book a must-read for all.”
Theodore U. Dickson, Acting Head, Department of Religious Studies, Babcock University, Nigeria
