Africa's Place in World Christianity: Towards a Theology of Intercultural Friendship

This article argues that the polycentric map of World Christianity challenges theologians and scholars of religion in Africa to concentrate on how local processes are reinforcing local idioms in the appropriation of Christian faith in Africa. It proposes some steps in the missional and historical interpretation of African Christianity and the cultural currents that drive Christian expansion in Africa. The essay argues that analyzing and locating the place of African Christianity in World Christianity should begin with showing the eschatological fruits of God's kingdom in African history and how these relate to and are different from versions of Christianity outside the African context. The essay concludes with some proposals on the possible contributions of African Christianity to World Christianity in the development of a theology of cross-cultural friendship needed to meet the challenges of an uncertain world.