AFRICAN COSMOLOGY

A CATALYST TO THE GROWTH OF AFRICAN INDIGENOUS CHURCHES

Authors

  • Wilson E Ehianu
  • Finomo Julia Awajiusuk University of Port Harcourt

Keywords:

AFRICAN COSMOLOGY, Salvation, Healing

Abstract

The 19th century is of great significance in the religious history of Africa. This is because it was characterized by the establishment and growth of African strand of development of Christianity. They go by various names depending on the circumstances of their birth, public perception of the group or how members perceive themselves. Some common names associated with these churches include: Separatist, Ethiopian, Zionist Spiritual, Prophetic Movement, Prayer churches, Pentecostal churches, Messianic movement, Aladura and several others.1 Though these new religious movements differ widely in style, organization and attitudes, they are called indigenous churches because they, as Omoyajowo observed “began as indigenous churches founded by indigenous persons and run under indigenous leadership.

 

Author Biographies

Wilson E Ehianu

Dr Wilson E. Ethianu holds a PhD from Edo State University, Nigeria. He has been teaching Church History in the department of Philosophy and Religions, University of Benin, Nigeria. His recent works include Growth of Pentecostal churches in Nigeria, The Roman Catholic Church and the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, The Church and the making of Nigeia"s Fourth Republic, and The Church and Agricultural development in Nigeria. Email: destiny4real2@yahoo.com

Finomo Julia Awajiusuk, University of Port Harcourt

Awajiusuk, Finomo Julia (Nigeria) holds a doctorate in Philosophy with specialization in Religious and Cultural Studies (Christian Environmental Ethics) from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where she is currently lecturer of Christian Ethics. She is a member of the Nigerian Association for the Study of Religions, Nigerian Association for Biblical Studies and Nigerian Environmental Society. Email: juliafinomo@gmail.com

References

D. Ayegboyin, and Ishola, African Indigenous Churches, Lagos: Greater Height Publications, 1997.

A. Omoyajowo, “The Aladura Churches in Nigeria Since Independence,” in Fashola – Luke, E. et al, ed., Christianity in Independent Africa, London: Rex Collins, 1978.

D. Barrett World Christian Encyclopedia, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1982.

Ukah A.F.K., “Pentecostalism, Religious Expansion and The City: Lessons from the Nigerian Bible Belt,” in Probst, Spittle, ed., Between Resistance and Expansion: Exploration of Local Vitality in Africa, Munchen: Lit. Verlag, 2004.

M.S. Berube, The American College Dictionary, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company 1982.

E.G. Parrinder, African Traditional Religion, London: Sheldon Press, 1974.

C.A. Dime, African Traditional Medicine: Its Peculiarities, Ekpoma: University Publishing House, 1994.

W.E. Ehianu, “Ecumenism in Benin and Environs in the Light of Vatican II’s Unitatis Reintegration 1962-1965”, Unpublished PhD thesis, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, 2008.

K. Enang, The African Experience of Salvation Based on the Annang Independent Churches of Nigeria, London: M and C Publishing, 1982.

M. Atere CTH 001: Religion and Society, Lagos: National Open Universities of Nigeria, 2006.

Dime C.A. African Traditional Medicine: Its Peculiarities, Ekpoma: University Publishing House, 1994.

C.A. Obi, “A Feminist Re-Reading of Women’s Leadership in the Pre-Pauline and Pauline Churches with African Perspective,” in G.U. Ukagba et al., ed., Kpim of Feminism: Issues and Women in a Changing World, Canada: Trafford Publishing, 2010.

Enang, K. The African Experience of Salvation Based on the Annang Independent Churches of Nigeria, London: M and C Publishing 1982 .

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Published

2012-12-31

How to Cite

Ehianu, W. E., & Awajiusuk, F. J. (2012). AFRICAN COSMOLOGY: A CATALYST TO THE GROWTH OF AFRICAN INDIGENOUS CHURCHES. Asian Horizons, 6(04), 813–823. Retrieved from https://dvkjournals.in/index.php/ah/article/view/2725