Original Research - Special Collection: The Reformation - Transformation and Change Agency

An African Reformation

Erna Oliver, Willem H. Oliver
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 73, No 3 | a4386 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v73i3.4386 | © 2017 Erna Oliver, Willem H. Oliver | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 23 November 2016 | Published: 24 May 2017

About the author(s)

Erna Oliver, Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology, University of South Africa, South Africa
Willem H. Oliver, Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology, University of South Africa, South Africa

Abstract

The year 2017 is the year in which the Reformation, started by Martin Luther, is celebrating its 500th birthday. This depicts a milestone in the life of the Church of the Reformation and also in the life of Christians worldwide. This is a good time to ponder on the epistemological question of the validity and necessity of the (European) Reformation (i.e. improvement, renovation or change). If this question is answered in a positive way, then it could bring us to the realisation that the time is ripe for an African Reformation. This article will argue that this is indeed the case. A reformation, transformation and change is needed for the African Christian context. However, the question could well be asked: Who will be the ‘second Luther?’

Keywords

Reformation; Luther; Africa; African Reformation; Alexandria; Catechetical School; Apollos; John Mark; Clement of Alexandria; Origen

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