MBITI, J.S. Both are viewed as ways of approaching the Transcendent. A God behind the Gods, a Supreme God who created everything. No wonder they are rudely disappointed when it turns out their badly-chosen favorites are up to no good. Secondly, the God of the Bible is holy and just. Jah - A name for God (Rastafari) Brekyirihunuade, "he who knows and sees everything." As we are counting down the hours to 2021, please know that we are keeping all our viewers, partners, and friends in our prayers for the new year ahead. African Mythologyis a blend of different culture with most of the themes relating to animals and especially tricksters. Taking Africa as a whole, there are in reality fi ve important elements that go into the making of African traditional religion. BOWERS, P. 2002. 1991. África ha elegido para su canción como nominada un tema de Ariana Grande, "God is a woman", y con la que ha intentado convencer al público para seguir una semana más en la Academia. Introduction to African religion. Directed by Akin Omotoso. I care about Jesus, people, my country and what being a Christian means in relation to each of these. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday disclosed that he has discovered the reason God spared his life to witness the New Year despite the turbulence and grave assault on humanity in … African Creator Gods seem to follow a distinctive pattern — they are all extremely dissatisfied with their creations. O’DONOVAN, W. 1995. African ideas of God: a symposium. Yet the Bible cannot conceive of the One True God like that. According to the Wall Street Journal article, when the Swazi king failed to meet with him again in what was perceived as a snub on behalf of the king, Wilkinson decided to depart, stating publicly that his job was done and that God wanted him to leave Africa, but he informed his inner circle that he was "done with Swaziland, done with Africa and done with Dream for Africa." African mythology covers a vast area. A.W. God of thunder and lightning. How, then, are we to think about the Supreme Being as Christians? There may be spirits and ancestors floating around, but there’s only one God. Not sure of the spelling? In attempting to answer this question we will examine their similarities and differences, and then we will consider whether African concepts of God¹ are more similar or dissimilar to the God of the Bible. There is a remarkable innocence about the Gods of Africa. Christianity and African gods: a method in theology. http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1746, « Worth Hearing: Showbread - Matthias Replaces Judas. Rather, the Supreme Being commissions other beings in the spiritual hierarchy to undertake these tasks. Therefore we clearly see that it is not the Supreme Being who is offended by these social ills. Gods of different elements have been appointed as in the tradition in Africa. The problem with the African concepts of God is that they go no further than speculation. As Christians we must believe that if Africa is to have any hope in God her God must be the God of the Bible. Try entering just the first three or four letters. Cape Town, South Africa: Potchefstroom University. Thus, Gehman (2005: 316) succinctly states that, “God has no body; he is invisible”. Africa Christian press. 1985. In reflecting on the world without God’s word, Romans 1:21 says that “although [people] knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened”. 0:43. In this communication he has told people what he is like and he has offered them the possibility of relationship. Although there is much in the Supreme Being which corresponds with the biblical conception of deity, Romans 1:21 argues that this knowledge has been illegitimately expanded and perverted. 2001. By this he is asserting that God has revealed himself in a general way through what has been created and in that sense he has spoken and continues to speak to every African. The snares of African traditional religion in perspective. God of the Moon. The humans are left to fend for themselves. We need to learn from the Western historical-critical method, but also more fully integrate our … Therefore, we must affirm what is correct in the African conception of deity. Indeed, God promises that he is judging sin now (Romans 1:24) and will do so in a more comprehensive way in the future (2 Peter 3:7). TRIBES, CULTURES AND PEOPLES COVERED: Abalyia, Agni, Akamba, Alur, Ankore, Asante (Ashanti), Baga, Baila, Bambara, Bantu, Banyarwanda, Banyoro, Barotse, Basuto, Baule, Baventa, Benin, Botswana Bushmen, Bushoong, Dagamba, Damara, Dinka, Djaga, Dogon, Efik, Fon, Hausa, Ibo, Ijaw, Isoko, Kalahari Bushmen, Kalyl, Kaonde, Kavango, Koko, Lele, Lotuko, Lugbara, Lumba, Luo, Luveda, Makeni, Masai, Mbunda, Mende, Nama, Ngombe, Nbandi, Nuer, Nupe, Pygmy, Shilluk, Shona, Shongon, Songhai, Tonga, Tunbuka, Upoto, Xhosa, Yoruba, Zambesi, Zulu. Return to essay, ⁶ It is worth quoting Nyirongo (1997: 16) on this point at length: “That God revealed Himself to the pre-Christian African generations cannot be denied. Instead of positively responding to it in faith, he resorted to idols”. Mami Wata - Goddess of beauty (one of the water spirits); Accompanied by a snake and wealth. I'm now back in Africa--in Southern Sudan, working as a nurse, learning and seeking to know God more daily. These are belief in God, belief in divinities, belief in Spirits, belief in the ancestors, and the practice of magic and medicine, each with its own consequent, attendant cult.5 Secondly, Africans have distorted their knowledge of God. [web:]. Examples of where this difference is manifested are, amongst others, holiness, justice, knowledge and relationship. Firstly, the God of the Bible is different to the African gods in that he is knowable and relational. At the outset I need to say that one of the major problems in a study such as this is its vastness. There are two major differences between the God of the Bible and the African concepts of God, which I will discuss. I watched the news of Darfur on NBC tonight and I wondered about God and Africa. We’ve tried to pin them down to a particular area if possible. Goddess of fertility, women and gardens. Father god and creator. spirituality relates to a personal God and African spirituality to a community seems to be just a matter of choice as far as Magesa is concerned. Most African cultures, if not all, believe in a Supreme Creator in one form or another. By this Africans understand that God is not only kind, but that he does not do wrong. Known as a trickster. Earth goddess and goddess of fertility. Return to essay. On the whole, African Gods don’t like to be pestered, and humans have to learn to be content with their lot. Thus everything in the spiritual, and the physical, world is the way it is today as a direct result of his action² (Kato, 1975: 31). The Supreme Being is personal in the sense of possessing personhood; therefore deity is referred to as a ‘He’ and not as an ‘it’ or a ‘power’ (Gehman, 2005: 319). But amendments and corrections are always welcome, especially from people with first-hand knowledge. La religión en África tiene un carácter muy diverso. By this I am not suggesting that God has not revealed himself through what is commonly referred to as ‘general revelation’⁴. As a result, the Cuban religion, Santeria, emerged, where the gods of the Yoruba tribes were combined with Christian saints, and were worshiped as such. For all media enquiries please contact us here. God of volcanos, the wilderness, and the river. Lastly God is a man made belief system. 1980. African theology: its history, dynamics, scope and future. Return to essay, ⁵ It is worth noting that most conceive sin to be originally against the Supreme Being, and that is what plunged the world into its current state (Nyirongo, 1997: 61). 1975. Therefore, Africa has effectively made its own God. God is at work in Nigeria and Africa as a whole...We believe it! Since the beginning of time the biblical God has revealed himself through communicating verbally with human beings; in fact, he has done so finally through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-4). The gods of Africa or the God of the Bible? During the years of slave trading, many West African slaves were sent to Cuba and Haiti. God have mercy Only in Africa u see this Things like this. God of medicine men. It is not clear therefore how one arrives at the proper understanding of Jesus’ love. ¹ Discussions about ancestors, dynamism and spiritism are important but unfortunately fall outside the scope of this essay. God Pops Up in Africa. God was African by John Nkemngong Nkengasong. Obviously you will find tribes subscribing to both sides of this argument. NYIRONGO, L. 1997. Tozer (1994:11) famously suggests that “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us”. ...The problem is not that God did not speak clearly to the African in the past: the problem is rather what the African did with the revelation he received from God. In contemplating this point Gehman (2005: 320) helpfully states, “Whatever tragedy is experienced is blamed on witchcraft or the living-dead. Consult Godchecker’s complete alphabetical list of African god and goddess names. In addition to the belief in deity, the Supreme Being of Africa largely overlaps conceptually with the identity and work of the biblical God. With Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Sami Sabiti, Esmeralda Bihl, Hugh Masebenza. Return to essay, ³ However, the dual activities of providing and protecting are not undertaken directly by the Supreme Being. Presidente de Tanzania: no vamos a cerrar los lugares de culto. Complimenting this power, the Supreme Being is seen to have complete knowledge (Mbiti, 1991: 56), to be present everywhere (O’Donovan, 1995: 41), and to be eternal (Nyirongo, 1997: 11). Therefore, we need to be aware of this idolatry and proclaim with great boldness the God of the Bible throughout Africa. The African continent includes so many countries, regions, languages, tribes, cultures and crossovers that the sheer diversity of prevailing Gods would seem overwhelming if there weren’t a few handy shortcuts. Kisumu, Kenya: Evangel Publishing House. Godchecker's Holy Hit Parade of popular Gods is powered by GodRank™ Technology. The S… We have tried to collect as many Holy Aliases as possible. The Supreme Being is furthermore perceived as being the creator of the world. Ladies and gentlemen, God Trust Africa If you're watching me and you're seated right there, I want you to tell yourself as an African child right now and say to yourself God loves me as an African. Related Videos. Indeed, they can go no further because, although humans can pray to the Supreme Being in certain situations (O’Donovan, 1995: 42), he never interacts with, or personally reveals himself to, the people of Africa (Turaki, 1999: 160). Is the African concept of God an effective praeparateo evangelica for African Christianity? But while God sits in Heaven wringing his hands in despair, the ancestral spirits are very willing to take an active part in Earthly life. Atheistic tendencies in Africa are minimal. God has not left himself without a witness in Africa; no, he has clearly spoken through what has been made. Family trees coming soon! In light of the above it seems that we should affirm the similarities between the biblical God and the African God. Either way, however, the world as we see it today is a direct result of the activities of the Supreme Being and so it is legitimate to say that he created this world. Please do not copy without permission. Also that he continues to speak to all the tribes of Africa who have not heard the Gospel can also not be denied”. The knowledge of the holy. Godchecker™ is a trade mark used under license. God is seldom charged with wrong doing in Africa”. From these two beliefs it naturally follows that the Supreme Being is seen as almighty; for he has the power to do anything he desires (O’Donovan, 1995: 41). This personhood is not seen to be manifested physically, but to exist spiritually. This is a list of African spirits and/or deities found within the traditional African religions. God bless this my customers they are always coming for asoebi, thank u so much for your consistency. From this verse two things are evident. God loves Africans and the gospel emerged from Africa. Check also for the Best African Mythology Booksthat cover this topic African Myths carry over from instances in the pas… These similarities extend over both the character and the work of each deity. If so, what are they?”. In this case, so-called "salvation history" must widen its outreach in order to embrace the horizons of other peoples’ histories”. The most significant similarity between the African God and the Biblical God is the fundamental belief in a deity. (If you think there’s as many tribes as there are gods, you could be right!). Many Gods are spread across different regions, cultures and tribes. Return to essay, ⁴ In fact, Nyirongo (1997: 16) states, “That God revealed Himself to the pre-Christian African generations cannot be denied. 1950. Sin in the African worldview is against the community and not against God⁵ (Kato, 1975: 42). Kwaku Ananse, a trickster god. This list also covers spirits and/or deities found within the Afro-American religions—which mostly derives from traditional African religions. KATO, B. eds. So the question needs to be posed, “Are there any differences between the God of the Bible and the gods of Africa? The movement in the Horn of Africa continues to make disciples, planting four new house churches every day. Please mention Godchecker.com when praying to the Gods. Attempts to regain contact with their God by building a heavenly ladder are the subject of many an unhappy legend. Traditional African belief is overwhelmingly monotheistic. African Mythologies are credited for most happenings in their part of the world and revered as deities to be worshiped. I believe this assertion to be correct and so the question, “How do African concepts of God relate to the God of the Bible?” is most worthy of our consideration. But I would suggest that we rethink this strategy….balance honoring God, and health protection… — Ssempa = Gabriel Baaba Gwanga'Mujje (@martinssempa) March 23, 2020. Traditional African belief is overwhelmingly monotheistic. MBITI, J. The Gods, Goddesses, Spirits and legendary characters of African mythology. Examples: JUPITER, JUP, JUPI. Sections of this page. Carlisle, UK : OM Publishing. The global God: multicultural evangelical views of God. SMITH, E.W. So if you live in the region and would like to comment, we’d love to hear from you. Moreover, the Supreme Being sustains this world; that in the sense that he keeps everything which he made in existence at every given moment, and in the sense that he is seen to be the one who provides and protects this world³ (Mbiti, 1991: 49, 52). This man honors God. Thoughts on God and Africa Posted here are thoughts which have been tumbling about in my head since my first mission trip to Africa in August of 2005. The most important “spiritual” powers are usually associated… Read More Ahí es donde hay la … (Copyright notice.) The Mother-in-Israel, Pastor Folu Adeboye, wife of the founder and Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, in admitting the supremacy of African spirituality, was quoted in the Guardian newspaper, Nigeria, of July 26, 2009, as follows: “As powerful as African Juju priests are, none of them possess the power to keep the night and stop the morning from coming.” Rather, it seems that there is less of a chasm between God and the other spirit beings, and that the category used to understand the remoteness of the Supreme Being is not transcendence but differing communal responsibilities (Turaki, 1999: 156). Yet, at the same time it must always be maintained that this is fundamentally a different God due to Africa’s distortion of general revelation. African Journal of Evangelical Theology, 21(2): 109-126. I have opted to include fewer differences not because there are not many, but because more explanation is required. Nairobi: East African Educational Publishers. 2nd ed. The Gods have provided us with a robust privacy and cookie policy which all mortals are advised to read. Thus, in contrast to the humanistic view of sin in the African tradition, the God of the Bible is seen to be holy and just. 2nd ed. Yet, these are surface cracks which reveal to us the much greater underlying problem of idolatry. Firstly, Africans do know something about God. Contact us here. Yet, there are significant similarities at the same time. God is a man made concept, a man made idea, assumption and claim. Even communicating with their creation is full of problems. Grand Rapids, MI : BridgePoint Books. Carlisle, UK : Paternoster Press. Also that he continues to speak to all the tribes of Africa who have not heard the Gospel can also not be denied. TURAKI, Y. Male god Las Mujeres de África Retro baño Cortina de Ducha Impermeable de 3 Piezas Antideslizante Alfombra Alfombra de Asiento de Inodoro Cubierta de la Cocina/baño Cojín (Color : Shower Curtain): Amazon.es: Hogar GEHMAN, R.J. African traditional religion in biblical perspective. Moreover, he is good, eternal and omnipresent. That God typically is not attributed a gender but in some cases is male or female; often God is given an immanent and visible aspect as well. The most significant similarity between the African God and the Biblical God is the fundamental belief in a deity. Concepts of God in Africa book. While in Kenya, I often saw women carrying huge bundles of wood on their backs, and I often thought of the words: There, but for the grace of God go I.But dare I say it is God's grace that gives me so much privilege and wealth as an American woman. Is their continuity or discontinuity greater, or more significant? Vital messages of life and death are entrusted to whichever farmyard animal happens to be passing, and the resulting garble is likely to have profoundly unforeseen — and usually disastrous — consequences... Use our Godbrowser™ to explore the Gods of Africa. Theological pitfalls in Africa. Furthermore, due to the nature of the evidence, its scope must be universal; and so we cannot exclude Africans from this knowledge. Atheistic tendencies in Africa are minimal. 2nd ed. I am suggesting, however, that verbal communication and personal relationship with the Supreme Being are not a reality for the African. London: Edinburgh House press. COUNTRIES AND REGIONS COVERED: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, East Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Kilimanjaro, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Savannah, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Togo, Transvaal, Tunisia, Uganda, Upper Nile, Upper Zambesi, West Africa, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe. The biblical God says that sin is against him personally (Psalm 51:4), and causes him great offense (Hosea 9:15). As a result, it is the community who is most offended, by these social ills, and it is they who take the responsibility to discipline the offender. Jump to. It seems that we need to heed Turaki’s (1999: 149-150) warning to not violate Africa’s holistic view of the world by interpreting the Supreme Being’s transcendence in absolute terms. Attempting to distill the religious beliefs of about 1 billion people is no small task; especially when these people are at no point static in their beliefs. KATO, B. SPENCER, A.B. God is ABOUT to give you MORE than ONE Stream of Income to FUND YOUR VISION in this 2021! In light of the two points above, there do seem to be major differences between the African conception of the Supreme Being and the Christian conception of God. Early missionaries made a complete pig’s ear of their research in this respect and seem to have delighted in cataloging as many ‘heathen’ Gods as they could possibly get away with. Anansi - Depicted in numerous forms: a spider, a human or combinations thereof. There is much shaking of heads, turning away in sorrow and avoidance of contact. There may be spirits and ancestors floating around, but there’s only one God. The encounter of Christian faith and African religion. Return to essay, ² There is some argument about whether the Supreme Being created ex nihilo or merely organised some type of existing matter. & SPENCER, W.D. But Africa is now of age, and we can start to re-examine these theoretical and interpretive frameworks in view of both believing in the power of God’s Word and being African. Not wanting to completely abandon their religious beliefs, the slaves associated their gods and goddesses with Christian saints, thereby masking their beliefs from their masters. They seem naive and unworldly, believing the best of everyone and optimistically giving the benefit of the doubt to all and sundry. Thus, at the point where revelation from the deity becomes re-creation into a new deity, it becomes impossible to see the biblical God as a continuity of the African God⁷ (Turaki, 1999: 160). Return to essay, ⁷ It is worth bearing this in mind when examining Mbiti’s (1980) statement, “When we identify the God of the Bible as the same God who is known through African religion ... we must also take it that God has had a historical relationship with African peoples. The isrealites. Biblical Christianity in Africa: a collection of papers and addresses. Oxford, United Kingdom: Heinemann Educational Publishers. View the African pantheons. These are mostly into hunting and other practical subjects — with food, sex and booze as popular as always. 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