Evangelical Christians in the Muslim sahel
Book Description
In the heart of Niger's predominantly Muslim Hausa communities, evangelical Christian missionaries have established a complex and often precarious presence. Barbara MacGowan Cooper offers readers an intimate exploration of the Sudan Interior Mission's work in this challenging religious landscape, where faith traditions intersect in ways both profound and contentious.
Drawing from extensive fieldwork, personal interviews, and careful archival study, Cooper presents a nuanced portrait of missionary life that goes far beyond simple conversion narratives. Her account reveals the intricate dynamics of cross-cultural religious engagement, from the delicate work of Bible translation to the realities of medical outreach in communities where Christianity remains a minority faith.
The author's firsthand experience of religious violence provides a sobering lens through which to examine broader questions of faith, identity, and coexistence. Her observations illuminate the tensions that arise not only between different religious traditions but also within missionary communities themselves, particularly between English-speaking and French-speaking evangelicals navigating colonial legacies.
This scholarly yet accessible work invites readers to consider how religious missions adapt and evolve in response to local contexts. Cooper's candid examination of the mission's changing perspectives on Islam offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of interfaith relations in contemporary Africa. Her sensitive approach respects all parties while honestly addressing the challenges inherent in religious boundary-crossing.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~13 hours)
📄 Length: 462 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Christianity and other religions
- ✓ Explore Islam, africa
- ✓ Explore Christianity and other religions, islam
- ✓ Explore Sudan Interior Mission
- ✓ Explore Christianity
- ✓ Explore Relations
- ✓ Explore Missions
- ✓ Explore Islam
