AFRICA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

NAIROBI EVANGELICAL GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION CONCEPT OF SIN AND ITS IMPACT ON THE CHRISTIAN VIEW

SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE

THEOLOGY OF HUMANITY AND SIN

SUBMITTED TO: JUSTUS MUTUKU

BY: CHRISTINE IMALI August 22, 2012

NO: 11048

Contents
Contents...............................................................................................................................2 Introduction..........................................................................................................................1 Similarities and differences.................................................................................................2 Similarities.......................................................................................................................2 Differences.......................................................................................................................2 The impact...........................................................................................................................2 The effect.............................................................................................................................3 The remedy..........................................................................................................................4 The Conclusion....................................................................................................................5

Introduction
The concept of sin in African traditional religion has not been fully dealt with or researched on properly by scholars and researchers. It seems to be the hardest topics in theological circles due to the variance of African cultures and traditions. This presents the difficult task of getting the correct view of sin in an African perspective. In the Bible sin is viewed as missing Gods set standards, disobeying God and anything that is contrary to the will of God. In African traditional religion is difficult to have a definition as found in the Bible. This paper will tackle the African traditional religion concept of sin and how it impacts on the Christian view of sin which is Biblical.

To begin I would like to mention that most African literature from the ancient days was not written, however it was orally passed from one generation to the other. The main weakness with oral tradition is that it first creates what psychologists refer to as false memory and as the message is transferred from, one person to the other the message time after time changes in meaning and application.

Africans are notoriously religious (John Mbiti). Although Africans dont have the concept of sin written on paper or scrolls as Christians do have the bible; in one way or the other they notion of sin is present and fresh in their minds. Africans honor religion and respect it so much. In an African concept sin is swimming against the current of the society. Examples are if someone murders a fellow man intentionally he/she is regarded as an outcast which is similar to someone who rejects the African rituals and mutilation

of the body including female genital mutilation in some communities they are also placed in same class as witches, thieves, murders etc.

Similarities and differences

Similarities
From the above brief explanation of sin in some African communities it is clear that, the view focuses on the society and not God. You have to adhere to the rules and regulations of the society because you have to and if not you are segregated. In Christian or Biblical view we avoid sin because we will be segregated from God and not the society. Sin in both cases creates a separation and falling below the expected standard. This reveals that the concept of sin in both cases they are not far much apart.

Differences
Difference that can clearly be articulated out of the two views is that the African traditional religion views sin from the outside only, it does not view the inside (the heart). That is you are only regarded as immoral when the results or the consequence of the sin are visible (pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and so on). However in the biblical view as taught by Christ is that you sin from the moment you lust at another person. Another contrast is that in African traditional religion sin covers some aspects of disobedience which Biblically to hold any water like mutilation of the body.

The impact
Keeping in mind the brief introduction of the Christian view of sin and the African traditional religion view of sin it is now time to address the impact of African traditional religion view of sin impacts our view of sin and what is the bible advising us to do or 2

follow. In the book of James 4:17 Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. From this verse we learn that as long as we have the word of God with us (the bible) we are required to study it well and know what is right and true.

However we were first Africans before we were Christians. We have our own view of sin as Africans. Although as said before it not written but it is our traditions and culture. The impact of the African view is very strong in us especially those of us who were born to non-Christians families or nominal Christians. We embrace the view of sin unconsciously and transfer it to our own faith. No wonder some of us will go for cleansing of the sins of others who died long ago and feel like we are haunted by their sin.

The effect
The view of sin in African traditional religion has encroached in Christian circles in a chameleon way. If you sin in Africa traditional religion you are entitled to a worldly punishment or you become an outcast forever. Some Christians who stumble and fall in sin give up their salvation forever due to them falling in sin for one time. As African Christians we have brought forward with us the African style of discouraging sin into Christianity which is using abusive and hurting language to those of us who sin. We also avoid sinners; we completely cut communication with them. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us Romans 5:8. As it is clearly stated, it is because of love that God chose to liberate us from such bondage. The same love we should show to sinners and not condemning as it is in African concept

Another powerful impact that the African traditional view of sin has on our Christian view of sin is the part of repentance. We are fond of apologizing to fellow humans instead of God. It is very clear that most of the time we work hard to impress fellow men and not to God. This can of view always lead to compromise with the word. In 1 peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God, as Christians we have to understand that we are born again in the Lord. Our minds should also be transformed in this process so that we may be able to view each other in the image of God.

The African view of sin is still fresh in our mind that a pregnant girl without a husband can be chased away from home by her parents who claim to be Christians. Our guide as Christians is the Bible as said in timothy it is suitable in training and correcting (2 Timothy 3:16). The African view has a main goal of pleasing men. We are all aware that whoever pleases men will never make God happy because all men are sinners and always inclined towards sin. We find that in some neighborhood prostitution and crime rates are alarming the reason behind it being the society in that location approves it is not a sin to them but it is illegal to the government. The African traditional view of sin is dangerous if incorporated into Christianity because it will lead us to agree with the crowd with what we know is not right.

The remedy
What can we do as Christians especially African Christians who are tangled in this view unknowingly and knowingly? We are at risk of compromising with the Christian faith if

we agree with them as peter puts it, But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15). We have to first explain to people who dont clearly understand the concept of sin in the Christian context because that is the only way we can use to solve the dilemma that exist between the two concepts. We can use the method that Priscilla and Aquila used to explain the proper doctrine to Apollo of Alexandria who only knew the baptism of John (Acts 18). Both concept of sin are talking of separation, however as Christians we should be able to explain that our separation of sin is spiritual and is us being away from God and not fellow humans as in African traditional religion. When we become Christians we are again separated from sin. In Africa traditional religion sometimes your fate as child is known. Example is that a child born out of wedlock is always condemned before he/she is even born and there is no way you can change that. There is no redemption in the African concept of sin especially if you are born with it.

The Conclusion
In the Christian view of sin Christ is the ultimate solution to sin this should always stand when trying to marry the two concepts. African religion there are so many ways of solving your sins but there is no guarantee for forgiveness. Example is a curse from parents or grand parents. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name Acts 4:12. As Christians we have a higher being who initiates the forgiveness of sin. In the African concept you initiate the forgiveness yourself by performing some rituals and offering sacrifices.

In theological pitfall a book by Byang Kato he clearly outlines some of the factors that cause the African Christians to fail and one of the factors he discourages most in his books is trying to marry Christianity with other pagan practices or traditional practices so to say.

I would like borrow from Romans 13:13-14 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Sin makes us feel that we can do it alone without God but the plain truth is that we cant without God. As Africans we embraced the Christian faith may we live by it and by it. If not so then we are on the verge of developing a new faith. Because sin is what Christianity eliminates and if we have differing view them it ceases to be Christian and become something else.