Understanding Christianity in the history of African religion : an engagement with theological and anthropological perspectives in the pursuit of interdisciplinary dialogue
Date
2014-08
Authors
Muller, Retief
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS OpenJournals
Abstract
There is ample ground and good motives for interdisciplinary engagement between theology
and the ‘new’ anthropology of Christianity. Theologians can learn much about the character
of the church in all its plurality from the often insightful descriptions of anthropologists who
have recently started to take a strong interest in Christianity. On the other hand, theologians
can help anthropologists come to more complex understandings of the meaning of Christianity.
Concerning contrasting anthropological perspectives of anti-essentialism and culture theory
regarding the nature of Christianity, this article suggested that the work of missiologists,
such as Andrew Walls, might usefully aid the progression of the debate and referred to the
historical interplay and conflict between Christianity and indigenous knowledge in southern
Africa by way of illustrating this point. The argument pursued in this article hinges on the
prioritising of an interdisciplinary approach in theological studies, a cause which Prof. Julian
Müller has long championed. Therefore, this contribution sought to honour his legacy by
illustrating a further avenue of interdisciplinary engagement.
Description
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at http://www.ve.org.za/index.php/VE/article/view/874
Please cite as follows:
Müller, R. 2014. Understanding Christianity in the history of African religion : an engagement with theological and anthropological perspectives in the pursuit of interdisciplinary dialogue. Verbum et Ecclesia, 35(2), doi:10.4102/ve.v35i2.874.
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at http://www.ve.org.za/index.php/VE/article/view/874
Please cite as follows:
Müller, R. 2014. Understanding Christianity in the history of African religion : an engagement with theological and anthropological perspectives in the pursuit of interdisciplinary dialogue. Verbum et Ecclesia, 35(2), doi:10.4102/ve.v35i2.874.
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
Keywords
Theological anthropology -- Christianity
Citation
Müller, R. 2014. Understanding Christianity in the history of African religion : an engagement with theological and anthropological perspectives in the pursuit of interdisciplinary dialogue. Verbum et Ecclesia, 35(2), doi:10.4102/ve.v35i2.874.