Overview
This well-crafted book probes the key dimensions of Africa’s existential predicament. It constitutes an intellectual response to a gnawing “African situation”—the starting point for grasping Africa’s social and religious quest. Beyond split explanations of external versus internal factors (e.g., colonization/slavery vs. leadership/cultural values), this study accounts more comprehensively for emergent issues shaping this situation. The situation reflects a gamut of problems in traditional African religion and material culture, which hitherto defines African communality, polities, and destinies vis-à-vis the cosmos and nature. Thus, African religion and communities, each with its own attendant values, do not operate by critical engagement with larger issues of society and civilization, especially those shaped by the advent of (post-) modernity. Rather, they operate via adaptation. The communal drive for natural and social harmony inevitably produces a preservationist view of culture (“leaving things as they are”). This study takes an integrative approach to religion, society, and civilization; eschews dichotomies; and broadly defines and re-signifies life and wholeness as a true end of Africans’ quest today.
Full Product Details
Author: Randee Ijatuyi-Morphé
Publisher: University Press of America
Imprint: University Press of America
Dimensions:
Width: 15.50cm
, Height: 4.00cm
, Length: 22.20cm
Weight: 1.034kg
ISBN: 9780761862673
ISBN 10: 0761862676
Pages: 646
Publication Date: 30 January 2014
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
A formidable contribution to a giant topic ... The author proceeds to the project with a broad knowledge of the field as well as with impressing pedagogical skills, and the result is a book that will serve as an important discussion partner for scholars of religion, theology, and biblical studies in Africa in the years to come. -- Knut Holter, PhD, professor of Old Testament studies, MHS School of Mission and Theology, Norway [This] is a most impressive piece of work. -- J. D. Y. Peel, PhD, professor emeritus, Department of Anthropology and Sociology, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London If there is a select group of books that captures the broad phenomenology of African peoples' spirituality, this book is arguably one of [them]. -- Nimi Wariboko, PhD, Katherine B. Stuart Professor and Chair of Christian Ethics, Andover Newton Theological School, Massachusetts A must-read document for every African citizen ... [The] time has come for an African renaissance ... with this cornerstone book. -- Daniel Etounga-Manguelle, PhD, chairman and CEO of SADEG Consulting Group, Yaounde, Cameroon, and former member of the World Bank's Council of African Advisors [A]n invaluable text, a much needed resource in a context in which Africans seek to know who [they] truly are. -- Madipoane Masenya, PhD, former chair, Department of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, professor of Old Testament studies, University of South Africa A richness of bibliographical references and sources ... with innovative theories, [this book] is a further confirmation of the presence of new prestigious African authors committed to the challenge of understanding Africa. -- Beatrice Nicolini, PhD, professor and chair of history and institutions of Africa, Political Science Department, Catholic University, Milan, Italy This is a seminal work for understanding Africa's complex social and religious situation... This comprehensive and multidisciplinary survey is useful for students and teachers in many fields... It sets a new benchmark for African publications. -- Adrian Helleman, PhD, visiting professor, University of Jos/Christian Studies International, Canadian affiliate of Global Scholars This work is unparalleled among [books] written on problems confronting Africa and the[ir] proffered solutions. -- Emmanuel Usue, PhD, D.Min., Old Testament studies, Department of Religion and Philosophy, Benue State University [A] big achievement. -- Almaz Zewde, PhD, assistant professor
Author Information
Randee Ijatuyi-Morphé received his PhD from Trinity International University. He is an interdisciplinary scholar, author, and theologian and has served for eighteen years on the faculty of ECWA Theological Seminary in Jos, where he was chair of the PhD Committee. Ijatuyi-Morphé is also director of Hokma House, an educational and research organization in Nigeria serving academia, ecclesia, and oikoumene of Africa.
