Examines the Biblical and theological understanding of human nature, specifically as it relates to race and ethnicity. Students will develop a theology of race and ethnicity that will prepare them to love their neighbors of all cultures as they engage contemporary issues such as racism, immigration, justice, and the refugee crisis.

This course sets out to answer the question: Did civilizations exist in Africa prior to direct contacts with Europeans in the late 15th century? The intent is to answer the question in the affirmative by exploring diverse forms of pre-colonial African civilizations defined in terms of complex political organizations and cultural formations comparable to other world civilizations. Since seldom do civilizations emerge in an absolute vacuum, we will emphasize both the local origins of African political and social systems while considering the extent to which African civilizations borrowed from and integrated external ideas. We will also explore evidence of Africa’s contributions to other world civilizations. Through trade and religious activities, Africa participated in the global exchange of ideas and goods. Thus, contrary to popular perceptions still prevailing in some quarters in the “West,” Africa was not isolated from the rest of the world until the era of European exploration, but rather, it was part of the world wide web of commercial and cultural interactions.

This course provides an understanding of the African experience throughout history with a general overview of centers of African Civilization from antiquity through contemporary times. The major themes covered include ancient Northeast Africa, Africa’s impact on Europe, Moorish civilization, the Golden Age of West Africa, Africa and the New World, the Swahili and Africa’s decline and resurgence. The course also provides introductory knowledge of the fundamental cultural commonalties that African peoples share in the mist of linguistic and other kinds of diversity. The course also examines the influence that African Civilization has exerted on other cultures as well as the impact of cross cultural contacts on the African experience.

There is a widespread belief among Christian believers and non-Christian observers alike that Christianity is a Western religion and was introduced to Africa by Western missionaries during the colonial period, but is this assertion true? This course attempts to explain and uncover the necessary evidence to prove beyond a doubt the African roots of the Christian faith and its contribution to the global Christianity.

The rapid growth of Christianity in Africa is accompanied by the surfacing of theological and missiological issues that can benefit the global church. With a reciprocal hermeneutics and exegesis with the global scholarly Christian community, African Christianity can make significant contributions in the following topics: Biblical anthropology, Christology, Pneumatology, the theology of suffering and theology of hope. The course explores these topics in depth.

After colonialism and the influence of Western mission began to decline, Africans have engaged to interpret the Word of God in the light of their own historical and cultural context. Transplanted theology and methodology during the colonial era did not scratch where Africans itch. When church liturgy, polity, preaching and teaching began to represent acceptable cultural forms the gospel began to take part in the core being of Africans. This course investigates how Christianity tackled the issue of polygamy, apartheid, social unrest, poverty, urbanization, etc.