The Spirit-Filled Goes to School: Theological Education in African Pentecostalism
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Date
2008
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Ogbomoso Journal of Theology 2(XIII): 41-57
Abstract
The emergence of Christianity, during virtually all the epochs of the history of Christianity, have been characterized by a corresponding development in theological education. This development could be explained by the realization, from time immemorial, that academic and spiritual dimensions of the Christian ministry were needed to complement each other in order that the church could be effective in its endeavours. Over the past century, the centre of gravity in the Christian world has shifted inexorably Southward, particularly, Africa. A major characteristic feature of the growth of Christianity in Africa is the fact that, although growth is experienced in all traditions/denomination, the Pentecostal churches are generally making more gains that the older traditions. The stupendous growth and prominence of African Pentecostal movement has deep implications for theology and Pentecostal theological education on the continent. If, indeed, African Christianity has a major role in determining the future of world Christianity, then the rest of the Christian world ought to be interested in the kind of theology that is taught and practiced in African churches and institutions. This article discusses general trends in Pentecostal theological education in Africa, with most of the cases cited from Ghana and Nigeria. It concludes by asserting that an innovative African Pentecostal theological education that seeks to meet the needs of the African Pentecostal movement is crucial in empowering the African Church to play its rightful role in World Christianity.
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Keywords
Pentecostalism, Theological Education, Academic Theology