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Description: According to some estimates, Africa will soon have the highest concentration of Christians in the world. But African Christianity has had a long and conflicted history. Even today, modern misinterpretations of Scripture argue for God's curse upon the dark-skinned peoples of Africa. In this comprehensive study, Keith Burton traces the story of biblical Africa and the place of the Bible in the land of Ham. Beginning with the Old Testament, he explores the geography of biblical Africa and moves beyond stereotypical discussions of African ethnicity and identity. He then chronicles the African presence in the church from the New Testament onward, paying particular attention to the growth of Islam in Africa as well as the impact of European colonialism and the slave trade. Coming to the modern era, he examines the achievements of African Christianity and visionary efforts to adapt and reclaim Christianity for the African context. Burton invites readers to discover anew the relevance of the biblical narrative for African Christians as well as Scripture's influence on African Christianity. This invigorating work places the story of the Bible and African Christianity in a wider global context and challenges readers to think differently about history and the biblical world.
Market/Audience- Seminary students and professors
- Students and professors of church history
- African Americans
Features and Benefits- A comprehensive study of African history in relation to the Bible and Christianity.
- Includes a chapter on Islam that is particularly relevant to modern missiological and cultural discussions.
- A historical resource for those interested in the bicentennial of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
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Review Summary: OUR ROOTS |
Date: 2008-04-21 |
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Details: The Revolutionary Black National Freedom Fighter Minister Malcolm X once said, "All of our studies, history is best qualify to reward all our research."While we party and ignore our rich heritage, Dr Keith Burton harvested the historical, Biblical, and geographical development of the great contributions of the African people in the historical development of the Abrahamic monotheism.
As we have move from the stage of oral tradition of which our ancestors narrated our history, a new breed of African scholars have ressurected to write our "oral" history for us to know.Dr Keith Burton is one of those rare Afrocentric Biblical scolars who have been blessed to feed us our heritage in the time of ignorance.
I recomend that every Biblical student Black,White and others study this book to know the development and contribution of the 3 great montheistic faith in ALKEBULAN( AFRICA).The only problem I saw in this book when he mentioned the French in Sierra Leone instead of the British on page 19.I extend my blessings to you Dr Burton you are a true Griot.The harvest is ripe but the harvester are few and you are among the few.
Chaplain CPT Emmanuel G. Woods, II United States Army.
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Review Summary: Setting the Record Straight |
Date: 2008-03-24 |
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Details: Burton is clear on his intention from the start, and sticks very closely to his plan. His primary purpose is to show that Africa and Africans have always been a part of God's divine plan. He forces us to look differently at the biblical world as we are exposed to the obvious: the biblical "Land of Ham" includes both the modern continent of Africa and the Middle East. Having established his basis from a straight forward reading of Genesis 10, Burton introduces us to the territory and characters of "biblical Africa." His conclusion that the majority of the Bible is set in "biblical Africa" only makes sense. It's so basic, I wonder why so many have missed it! It was also refreshing to take a fresh look at names of Hamitic personalities who are not usually considered "African" like King Nebuchadnezaar, Rahab, Uriah, and Melchizedek.
While the first two parts of the book serve as a ready reference (almost an encyclopedia) to the land and people of biblical Africa, the final four sections are devoted to a whirlwind tour of church history from an African perspective. While it is common knowledge that many of the theologians of the early church hailed from Africa, few church history books take the time to discuss Arabian Christianity and the influence of Christianity on Islam. The perspective The Blessing of Africa brings to the current crisis in the Middle East is absolutely priceless. Tony Blair and Condeleeza Rice need to read this!
The book ends with a serious look at the current role the Bible plays in African Christianity. This is a landmark study that is set to do for studies in Christianity what Martin Bernal's Black Athena did for classical studies. Those used to traditional readings will have a hard time accepting some things, but I'm glad that someone is willing to "set the record straight"! |
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Review Summary: Dont Judge a Book By Its Cover |
Date: 2007-10-08 |
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Details: As a student of the development of the African church, I was really excited when I picked this book up. It looked great, the chapter titles seemed interesting, and the subject matter looked right up my alley. I was gravely dissappointed. The word "racist", though probably appropriate, was overused (thesaurus please). And the first chapters basically boiled down to a retelling of the stories of the OT with various opinions thrown in as statements of fact. I appreciate what this author was TRYING to do, but he really misses a great oppurtunity to educate the public (and students) on a subject that has been , and is, gravely overlooked. |
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out of 3 Reviews
