THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA

Abstract

This essay provides an introduction to the sweeping of history of the origins and progress of Christianity in Africa. In the interest of narrowing the scope, it is necessary that much of the story has been omitted. The main focus has instead been on the origins and progress of Christianity during the colonial period, particularly highlighting the enormous growth that has occurred in the spread of Christianity over the last 60 years since independence. What prompted the enormous growth and spread of Christianity in Africa during the colonial period and beyond? The answer to this question is multi-faceted, with the need for Western education becoming paramount. European colonial missionaries pioneered Western education throughout the colonies, which in turn became the vanguard for Christian catechetical education and transformation of the people at all levels as operatives in the colonial system. Western education became necessary to the economic survival of peoples. Admittance into a Christian mission school often required the applicant to convert to Christianity. Since Independence, all Christian denominations have experienced much growth through African missionary effort, which is now in the hands of the African evangelists rather than in the hands of the Europeans. It is important to mention that in terms of the African expression of Christianity, the Pentecostal movement have today far outstripped all other forms of Christianity in Africa.

Keywords

• Christianity
• Africa
• Colonialism
• Pentecostal

AFRİKA’DA HRİSTİYANLIĞIN KÖKENİ VE GELİŞİMİ

Abstract

Bu makale, Hristiyanlığın Afrika’daki kökenleri ve ilerleyişine dair kapsamlı bir tarihçe sunmaktadır. Ancak, kapsamı daraltmak adına hikâyenin büyük bir kısmı dışarıda bırakılmıştır. Bunun yerine, sömürge döneminde Hristiyanlığın temelleri ve gelişimi ele alınmış, özellikle de bağımsızlıktan sonraki 60 yıl içinde Hristiyanlığın yayılmasında meydana gelen önemli büyümeye odaklanılmıştır. Peki, sömürge dönemi ve sonrasında Afrika’da Hristiyanlığın bu denli hızlı büyümesine ve yayılmasına neden olan unsurlar nelerdir? Bu sorunun cevabı birden çok faktörü içermekle birlikte, bunların başında Batı eğitimine duyulan ihtiyaç gelmektedir. Avrupa’lı sömürgeci misyonerler, Batı eğitimini sömürgelerde yaygınlaştırmada öncülük etmiş ve bu eğitim, Hristiyanlık öğretisinin yayılmasında ve halkın tüm seviyelerde sömürge sisteminin bir parçası haline getirilmesinde etkili olmuştur. Batı eğitimi, halkların ekonomik olarak hayatta kalması için gerekli bir araç haline gelmiştir. Bir Hristiyan misyon okuluna kabul edilmek ise çoğu zaman başvuran kişinin Hristiyanlığa geçiş yapmasını şart koşmuştur. Bağımsızlıktan sonra, tüm Hristiyan mezhepleri, Avrupalı misyonerlerin yerini alan Afrikalı misyonerlerin çabaları sayesinde büyük bir gelişim göstermiştir. Günümüzde, Afrika’da Hristiyanlık anlayışı açısından Pentekostal hareketin, diğer tüm Hristiyanlık biçimlerini açık ara geride bıraktığını vurgulamak önemlidir.

Keywords

• Hristiyanlık
• Afrika
• Kolonyalizm
• Pentekostal

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