The Will to Arise: Theological and Political Themes in African Christianity and the Renewal of Faith and Identity

One of the most important developments of Christianity in the twentieth century was its transformation in South Africa, where it became a vibrant religion rooted in African idioms and cultures. The church also became engaged in the struggle against social and political injustice, and church leaders employed the vocabularies of faith to secure civil liberty. This hard-hitting book focuses on post-apartheid Christian character and establishes the theological and spiritual authority of African Christians, calling contemporary Christians to renew their faith and Christian identity. It shows, too, that one cannot seriously consider contemporary Christianity apart from the African experience.

About the Author :
The Author: Caleb Oluremi Oladipo, from Nigeria, is the Duke K. McCall Professor of Mission and World Christianity at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. In addition to numerous articles in professional journals that explore the character of Christianity in Africa, he is the author of The Development of the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit in the Yoruba (African) Indigenous Christian Movement (Peter Lang, 1996).

Review :
For those who are fascinated by that exciting phenomenon, the evolving Church in Africa (particularly South Africa), 'The Will to Arise' will prove a very helpful guide. (Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate) Caleb Oluremi Oladipo's theological reflection on the demolition of apartheid documents how the contextualized Christian faith worked with non-Christian faiths in South Africa to bring about this demise. In his view, this colossal achievement bears testimony to the unintended spiritual, moral, and political time bomb impregnated in the gospel seed, planted by the missionaries, waiting to be detonated by historical events. In the process of his reflection, Oladipo not only revives the controversial delicate act of theological balancing between exclusivism and inclusivism, but also raises questions on the appropriateness of the traditional concept of Christian conversion vis-a-vis what he calls 'transformation' or 'cross-fertilization.' These are foods for thought for theologians to chew on. (Reverend Professor Osadolor Imasogie, President Emeritus, Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary) Although meant for the serious Christian theologian, educator, and practitioner, this book is surely a must for all the peoples of Africa and its Diaspora, and those everywhere who are privileged to be their neighbors. Forceful and nuanced, informed and informing, this book is a wake-up call to those who slumber at the portals of a world that has come of age again - a new world of floating pluralities, including religious ones. The challenge and clarion call of this book is to dream new dreams that take the African reality in that new world seriously. (Chirevo Victor Kwenda, Department of Religious Studies, University of Cape Town)