Collective sin in Africa : a missiological approach to the African crisis

Abstract

This thesis does not attempt to castigate Africa for its collective sin. The focus on collective sin in Mrica does not suggest that collective sin is limited to Africa, but simply that Africa is suffering from this sin. It is regrettable, but indeed a reality, that collective sin has impacted negatively on Mrica. The influence of sin on African theological thinking has had far reaching consequences and has also affected the culture of Africa in general. Sin has also completely permeated social and political arenas in Africa. This thesis identifies three kinds of collective sin: cultural sin, social sin and structural sin. It points out that, unfortunately, sin has strongly influenced the collective existence of the Church throughout the world. The conclusion is reached that the mission of the church always therefore remains to counter sin and its origin, whether this is original, individual or collective sin within the church or in the community. The argument begins by setting out the conceptual framework to this study and outlining the methodology. Thereafter, it provides a clarification of the terminology used. Chapter Two presents an understanding of collective sin in African traditional religion by situating the discussion within an anthropological, historical and ideological frame of reference. Chapters Three and Four, respectively, explore the three categories of collective sin in depth and explore collective sin within a specific tribe - the Baluba tribe. A systematic treatment of collective sin follows in Chapter Five. This involves providing a full theological and biblical explication of sin. Chapter Six discusses collective sin, more generally, in Africa; attempts to identify the causes of the crisis; and begins to proffer some tentative solutions. These latter solutions are more fully articulated in Chapter Eight, by identifying the true mtsston of church. The penultimate chapter places collective sin within a global and a church context. An annotated Harvard system has been used for notation and vibliographical references.