history of Christianity in Africa, A

By Elizabeth Allo Isichei

Book Description

Elizabeth Allo Isichei presents a comprehensive exploration of Christianity's remarkable journey across the African continent, tracing its evolution from ancient times to the present day. This scholarly work reveals how Africa has been home to some of Christianity's most profound intellectual and spiritual contributions throughout history.

The narrative begins with the extraordinary flowering of early Christian thought in Egypt and North Africa, where influential theological minds shaped the faith's development. Isichei illuminates the enduring Christian traditions of Coptic Egypt and Ethiopia, demonstrating how these communities maintained their spiritual witness across centuries of change.

Moving through time, the author examines how European contact from the late fifteenth century onward introduced new forms of Christian expression, while exploring the diverse manifestations of faith that emerged across different African societies. The book reveals how social, cultural, and historical factors have shaped Christianity's unique development on the continent.

With Christianity's explosive growth in modern Africa, projected to reach nearly 400 million adherents by 2000, this work addresses a significant gap in understanding African Christian heritage. Isichei's research offers readers insight into how Christianity has adapted, flourished, and taken on distinctly African characteristics while maintaining its core spiritual essence.

For those seeking to understand Christianity's global diversity and Africa's pivotal role in the faith's ongoing story, this comprehensive history provides essential context and perspective.