“Christianity is the white man’s religion. The Holy Bible in the white man’s hands and his interpretations of it have been the greatest single ideological weapon for enslaving millions of non-white human beings.”
Malcolm X
The above statement attributed to Malcolm X and other similar statements made by some renowned individuals have for years sought to dominate the historical and cultural roots of Christianity. But is that really the case? This article, in suggesting otherwise, briefly seeks to project the significant role Africa and Africans played in the genesis of Christianity. Though this article may not be very exhaustive in its presentation, it however, provides some level of understanding to the subject matter, as far as historical facts are concerned.
Geography
First, it is worth noting that significant institutional, theological, and doctrinal aspects of Christianity emerged out of the continent of Africa and that many geographic locations in Africa, not Europe nor the United States of America, serve as key settings in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). Egypt is mentioned over one hundred times and Ethiopia over forty times. In Genesis 2:8-14, we come to appreciate the significance of ancient Cush (south of ancient Egypt) and its relationship to the rivers of Eden.
Why is reference made to the Hebrew Bible? Very simple, the New Testament is a fulfilment of the Old (Col. 2:17 & Heb. 10:1) and its provisions have implications for the Christian faith.
Africans’ Contribution to Basic Doctrines of the Christian Faith
African theologians became the primary contributors in shaping the foundational Christian doctrines we have today. These included Tertullian (Carthage modern-day Tunisia), Athanasius (Egypt), Augustine (Numidia modern-day Algeria), Aurelius of Tunisia (then Carthage), Clement of Alexandria (Egypt), Cyprian of Tunisia (then Carthage) and Origen of Alexandria (Egypt). These men all lived within the first five centuries of Church history. Therefore, they influenced many of our Christian beliefs today as earlier stated. It is said and evidenced by facts that Luther and Calvin, two of the most famous Reformation thinkers of the Christian faith, were significantly influenced by three men from Africa: Athanasius, Augustine, and Tertullian.
It is also interesting to note that the New Testament, was established as canon in 397 CE in Africa at the Synod of Carthage (modern-day Tunisia). Interesting, isn’t it?
So, the argument that the “Holy Bible in the white man’s hands and his interpretations of it have been the greatest single ideological weapon for enslaving millions of non-white human beings” cannot be true. This does not also suggest that the work of European Christian Missionaries in sub-Sahara Africa did not in any way contribute to the slave trade in Africa. But then, also worth noting is the fact that the fight against slavery and its subsequent abolishing of the same were spearheaded by Christians.
Although many philosophers opposed slavery, it was Christian activists, attracted by strong religious elements from the Bible, who initiated and organized abolitionist movements throughout Europe and the United States. And what was their conviction – the Bible. Prominent among these abolitionists was Parliamentarian William Wilberforce in England, who wrote in his diary when he was 28 years that, “God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the Slave Trade and Reformation of Morals.” Together with others he laboured, despite determined opposition, to finally abolish the British slave trade. English preacher Charles Spurgeon had some of his sermons burned in America due to his censure of slavery, calling it “the foulest blot”. The Methodist Church founder, John Wesley denounced human bondage as “the sum of all villainies” and detailed its abuses. Many evangelical leaders in the United States such as Presbyterian Charles Finney and Theodore Weld, motivated hearers to support abolition. Finney preached that slavery was a moral sin, and so supported its elimination. Again, what was their conviction – the Bible.
Africans in the New Testament Bible
Africans were present at the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:10. Therefore, Africans were charter members of the Church. Going through the New Testament, there are three African characters that we easily overlook: Simon of Cyrene, Apollos, and the Ethiopian eunuch. Here are a few things to know about these men.
Simon of Cyrene: Cyrene was a small city located in what is now eastern Libya. The Gospels even make reference to his children, Alexander and Rufus (Mat. 27:32; Mk. 15:21; Lk. 23:26). This suggests that these two had converted to Christianity by the time the Gospels were being written.
Apollos: According to Acts 18:24, Apollos came from Alexandria, which was the major city in the then Egypt. Apollos was a companion of Paul, preaching and teaching the gospel around the Mediterranean, especially in Corinth and Ephesus. So, Africans, right from the early days of Christianity have been part of the missionary work in Europe.
The Ethiopian Eunuch: Thirdly, we have the Ethiopian eunuch. To this day, a large portion of the Church in Ethiopia claims that this man was its original founder. Acts 8 tells his story.
Christianity in North Africa
Christianity first arrived in North Africa, in the 1st or early 2nd century AD. In fact, the Christian communities in North Africa were among the earliest in the world. Once in North Africa, Christianity spread slowly West from Alexandria and East to Ethiopia. In the 4th century AD, it is recorded that the Ethiopian King Ezana made Christianity the kingdom’s official religion. In 312 AD Emperor Constantine also made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.
However, in the 7th century (632 AD), Christianity retreated under the advance of Islam. But it remained the chosen religion of the Ethiopian Empire and persisted in pockets in North Africa. Unfortunately, Egypt transformed from a predominantly Christian country to a Muslim country.
As a result of the spread of Islam and the Arab conquest of North Africa, Christianity began to almost exclusively thrive on the continent of Europe from the seventh century onward. This leads many to solely identify Christianity with Europe. No wonder the wrong perception that has persisted even up to the present day that Christianity is “the white man’s religion,” and that the spread of Christianity in Africa is the exclusive result of modern European missionary work. History however does not support such an assertion.
That notwithstanding, it is also true that Christianity came to Sub-Saharan Africa later in the 15th century with the arrival of the Portuguese. In the South of the continent, the Dutch founded the beginnings of the Dutch Reform Church in 1652. So well, in sub-Saharan Africa, one can assert that Christianity came to Africa riding on the back of the colonial waves of the 16th and 17th centuries.
For me, I see this within the context of navigating the storm to achieve a desired end; they took advantage of the opportunity to sail to Sub-Sahara Africa to spread the Gospel.
But Europe was not and had never been the geographical source of the Christian faith. Their coming to Africa was in response to Matthew 28:18-20. Today many African missionaries are also leaving the shores of Africa to many parts of the world to preach the Gospel. For instance, The Church of Pentecost (the church I belong to), headquartered in Ghana, West Africa, has reached out to over 136 nations with the gospel, establishing churches in these nations.
In conclusion, the Christian faith is not Western. It’s not European. It is not a “white man’s religion”. It is a relationship – God reconciling the whole world to Himself through His Begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Africa has right from its genesis played a major role in the success story of the Christian faith and it will continue to do so, until the message of the Gospel is preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations.
References
- Charles G. Finney, Memoirs (New York: A.S. Barnes, 1876), 324
- Hinson, T. (2021, April 21). Fathers of The Reformation: Africans in The Early Church – TGC Africa. Africa. https://africa.thegospelcoalition.org/article/fathers-of-the-reformation-africans-in-the-early-church/
- Onion A, Sullivan M & Mullen M (ed) (2019, April 23). The Bible. History. https://www.history.com/topics/religion/bible#:~:text=The%20Old%20Testament%20is%20the,the%20ancient%20religion%20of%20Judaism.
- Thoughts Upon Slavery, John Wesley, Published in the year 1774, John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and Life, 1996 Ruth A. Daugherty
- Üsküp, Dilara K. (2018, February 28). How “Christianity is the white man’s religion” feeds the damaging disconnect between the Diaspora and Africa. http://blackyouthproject.com/christianity-white-mans-religion-feeds-damaging-disconnect-diaspora-africa/
- BBC News (nd). The Story of Africa Christianity https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/index_section8.shtml
Apostle Benedict Eghan is a Minister of the Gospel with The Church of Pentecost and is currently the Resident Minister of Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Tesano. He also doubles as the Personal Assistant to the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye. Read More…
1 Comment
Good work! Ps Eghan, God bless you