values and ideals. In this sense, modern
work towards articulating the ideals of
Africa is an emerging centre for the pre-
the reformation as framed in the So-
servation of the reformation theology.
las, namely Sola Fide (faith alone) Sola
Thus, it is only appropriate to undersco-
Scriptura (Scripture alone), Solus Chri-
re that, at the face of what appears to
stus (Christ alone) Sola Gratia (grace
be the twilight of the Reformation ideas
alone) and Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God
in the West, the importance of African
alone), for it’s theological, doctrinal and
Christianity in this fifth hundred year of
traditional identities. These ideals are
the reformation as a type of a new ‘Wit-
in recognition of the infallibility of the
tenberg‘ for global Protestant Reforma-
Bible as authoritative for matters of fa-
tion cannot be undermined.
ith and practice. The centrality of Christ
According to a Pew Research in 1910, Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for just about 1.4 percent of the global Christian population. However, by 2011 this same region grew to account for 23.6 percent of the global Christian population. Ironically, Europe, which in 1910 accounted for over 60 percent of the global Christian population and with the highest Protestant population, declined by over 30 percent. Consequently, sub-Saharan Africa now has twice as many Protestants (broadly defined to include Anglicans and independent churches) as Germany, the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation. The largest Churches in the Lutheran World Federation communion today are in the Global South with Ethiopia and Tanzania having the largest membership records respectively.
Upholding Reformation Ideals The African church has continued to
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in the proclamation of the message of salvation is inalienable. The message of the crucified Christ becomes not only the demonstration of God’s immeasurable grace but also the satisfaction of God’s justice for the forgiveness of sinful men and women. African Protestant Christianity is founded and driven on these fronts, in its ecclesial operations and ministries, as it engages the need for active evangelism, discipleship and the need for social justice. The roles of active evangelism and discipleship have resulted in conversions, the planting of evangelical churches and stimulation of church growth across Africa, while the church has continued in the forefront to find a voice to speak for the poor, the marginalised, religious equity, etc.
A contrast and a confluence The milieu within which the Reformation emerged and spread was vastly different from that of Africa. There-
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