Abstract
The study is about the contextual spirituality of John Calvin in the activities of missionaries in Sub-Sahara Africa in the nineteenth century CE. The spirituality of John Calvin deals with the practical application of theology that helped shape the theology of the church for many centuries. However, the study of the Christian mission in Africa is unpopular in academia because of the negative reception by both nationalist and missional historiographers since the middle of the nineteenth century. While missionaries are often described as collaborators with colonial imperialism, little or no appreciation is given to their tremendous contribution towards the development of the African society. This study examines the impact of the Sudan Interior Mission (SIM) and the Calvinistic legacies within the evangelical church in central Nigeria. The adopted principles of Christian spirituality and its practice in SIM Mission strengthened the realization and Christianization of central Nigeria that has stood against the Hausa/Muslim domination of the minorities. However, the question, whether the adopted Calvinistic spirituality in the activities of Western missionaries to Africa (Nigeria) was contextual and feasible is the concern of this study.
Presenters
Henry Marcus GarbaHistorical Studies, Africa International University, Nairobi Municipality, Kenya
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Religious Community and Socialization
KEYWORDS
John Calvin, Spirituality, Sudan Interior Mission, ECWA, Central Nigeria
