Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 34:1 (Oct 2022)
Article: Editorial
Author: Caswell J. Ntseno

Conspectus 34:1 (October 2022) p. 4

Editorial

Caswell J. Ntseno

Conspectus 34 presents five articles, each responding responsibly to various contextual questions from the African continent. These papers situated within various theological sub-disciplines, including Missiology, Systematic Theology, Biblical Studies, and Practical Theology, with a golden thread of contextualization running through them.

Contextualisation entails presenting the gospel from a context-sensitive perspective, continually seeking the Scriptures as a way to engage and challenge our different realities. The contributors in this issue have done well to respond to the contextual questions in ways that are consistent with our objective to publish research that is God-honoring (Bible-based, Christ- centered, and Spirit-led) and that serves our contexts well. May their labor of love contribute to faithful participation in the mission of God, responsible handling of Scripture, careful engagement with various communities, and the proclamation of Christ, the only hope of the world.

Conspectus 34 Articles

In the first article, “The Pneumatological Phenomenon in Acts 2:1–6: Implications for Christian Mission in Africa,” Dr. Isaac Boaheng explores the value and use of the mother tongue, or vernacular, in both missions and Christian life. Boaheng opines that for the Church to fulfill its mandate, it must be called back to its Pentecostal and missionary roots, and to the absolute necessity of the Spirit’s empowerment for effective participation in the mission of God.

This is followed by the article, “The Contemporary Missio Dei Paradigm and its Expression in the Global South” by Rev. Richard Otiso, who contends that the Missio Dei paradigm has undergone a significant shift in the Global South, transforming the region from being receivers to being active participants in the mission of God. Otiso end by exploring the opportunities for participation in God’s mission in post-pandemic Africa.

Next, is the article entitled, “African Theology for the African Church: The Need for an Evangelical Approach,” by Dr. Greg Kame who puts forth a case for an evangelical approach to doing theology in Africa by exploring the origin of African evangelical theology. He proposes a good starting point for African scholars to consider developing a robust African evangelical theology for the African Church. Kame proposes soteriology as a key to an African theology that avoids the pitfalls of syncretism or liberalism.

Subsequently, Mr. Yimenu Belay, in his article, “Scripture and Context in Conversation: The Ethiopian Andəmtaa Interpretative Tradition” contends that the Ethiopi...