A History of the Church in Africa [Hardcover]

Bengt Sundkler (Author), Christopher Steed (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 052158342X | ISBN-13: 978-0521583428 | Publication Date: May 29, 2000

The late Bengt Sundkler, missionary, bishop, and academic, pioneered the study of independent churches in Africa. In this magisterial work, he reviews the entire history of the development of Christianity in all regions of the continent. In contrast to the conventional focus on the missionary enterprise, Professor Sundkler places the African converts at the centre of the study. African Christians, typically drawn from the margins of society, reinterpreted the Christian message, proselytised, governed local congregations, and organised independent churches. Emphasising African initiatives in the process of Christianisation, he argues that its development was shaped by African kings and courts, the history of labour migration, and local experiences of colonisation. This long-awaited book will become the standard reference on African Christian churches.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Sundkler's great gift of weaving different motifs throughout the work makes the book easily readable and provocative. Far from being tiring, the book captivates the reader with its easy style and keeps the reader sympathetic to the problems that faced the Body of Christ...This book is a must for all theological libraries." Historian

"...the comprehensiveness and illuminating narrative that make this book the standard treatment of the topic. It is lucidly written in clear prose, and its organization flows smoothly from generalizations and stated emphases to case studies and illustrative detail. This is the most complete single volume on a crucial aspect of Africa's past and present." American Historical Review

"In the publisher's opening remarks in this book, it is claimed that it "will become the standard reference text on African Christian Churches." I would heartily endorse that assessment. It is one of those essential books for the new millenium that needs to be displayed in every theological library worldwide." Seminary Studies, Ernst Wendland, Lutheran Seminary, Lusaka, Zambia

"This work...presents the first comprehensive (almost encyclopedic one might add) overview of African church history, from its inception to the present, from North to South, from East to West...this work is essential for any church, seminary, or scholarly library concerned about, and interested in, the church in Africa." Anglican Theological Review

"A History of the CHurch in Africa is indeed among the most comprehensive African-focused histories that foreign writers or missionaries have provided." Journal of Church and State, Robert Yaw Owusu, Baylor University

"[T]his book should be on the shelf of every theological institution in the world ... it will serve as the standard reference work for many years." Anglican and Episcopal History

"...a very serious and careful survey of the modern church in Africa.... The book is organized regionally and chronologically, and one has the impression that every region and denomination received careful, equal weight.... One gets the feeling of solidity, comprehensiveness, judgment, and care throughout.... The book is an invaluable starting point for church history, at least for the post-nineteenth-century period. It is a good guide to the literature that would allow a student to follow the issues it addresses farther, and it would be a valuable reference work." Catholic Historical Review

"...the single most authoritative reference work now available on the history of the Christian Church in Africa." African Studies Review

"Excellent..." The Living Church

Book Description

This long-awaited book will become the standard reference on the African Christian churches. The late Bengt Sundkler, who pioneered the study of independent churches in Africa, reviews the entire history of the development of Christianity throughout Africa placing the African converts at the centre of the study.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1252 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (May 29, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 052158342X
• ISBN-13: 978-0521583428
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,921,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A master's overview, July 27, 2000

By 

Norbert Brockman - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of the Church in Africa (Hardcover)

Sundkler was an Africanist scholar and a working missionary. This is his last book, completed at his death by his research assistant. It covers the entire rich history of Christianity in Africa, with emphasis on the 19th and 20th centuries. With such a magisterial attempt to cover a huge number of eras and regions, it is bound to be less than perfect, yet what is amazing is how close it gets. Sundkler brings his scholarly study of the independent churches into the context of the entire Christian development from the time of Christ. Nothing in print matches this book, and it will be awhile before another scholar of this ability appears to attempt it.