The Biblical-theological evaluation of the ideas on the person of Christ in African Christology

Christ is the foundation of all Christian doctrine. A proper understanding of His person and works is an essential component of a sustainable theology. African theologians have discussed the most relevant depiction of the person of Christ for Africa. This study is an exploration of the most proper contextualized idea of the person of Christ in African Christologies. Through a descriptive-cum analytical approach, this study traces the origin of African Christologies and, thereafter, analyzes and categorizes them. Therefrom, it evaluates these ideas of the person of Christ. After surveying and evaluating the ideas of the person of Christ issuing from the aforementioned Christologies, this study proposes the most proper contextualized idea of the person of Christ. The study is a documentary research that is divided into six chapters. The first chapter is a general introduction. It establishes the need for an African Christology. In doing so, it provides a literature review that summarizes the major contributions of scholars within and beyond Africa. The second chapter traces the historical development of African Christologies. In the process of doing this, it pays attention to the context in which African Christologies emerged. This context includes the African worldview and the sociopolitical realities that prevailed in the continent. The third chapter describes and analyzes African Christologies. It defines some of their key terms before presenting their premises. The fourth chapter evaluates the ideas of the person of Christ in these categories. The basis of evaluation is Scripture. The fifth chapter proposes a new approach to African Christologies. The sixth chapter is the conclusion. This paper concludes that the ideas on the person of Christ that have been suggested in African Christologies seem to have somewhat contributed to the formation of the global idea of the person of Christ. However, they have failed to make their ideas fully harmonize with Scripture. Therefore, this study submits Sanctuary Christology as the most proper idea. Also, this study encourages further inquiries on African Christology. This includes a qualitative study on how African congregants understand the person of Christ. In addition to a qualitative study, there is a need to investigate African translations of the Bible and their implications on Christology.