A History of Christianity in Africa: From Antiquity to the Present

by Elizabeth Allo Isichei

This unprecedented work is the first one-volume study of the history of Christianity in Africa. Written by Elizabeth Isichei, a leading scholar in this field, A History of Christianity in Africa examines the origins and development of Christianity in Africa from the early story of Egyptian Christianity to the spectacular growth, vitality, and diversity of the churches in Africa today.

Isichei opens with the brilliance of Christianity in Africa in antiquity and shows how Christian Egypt and North Africa produced some of the most influential intellects of the time. She then discusses the churches founded in the wake of early contacts with Europe, from the late fifteenth century on, and the unbroken Christian witness of Coptic Egypt and of Ethiopia. Isichei also examines the different types of Christianity in modern Africa and shows how social factors have influenced its development and expression.

With the explosive growth of Christianity now taking place in Africa and the increasingly recognized significance of African Christianity, this much-needed book fills the void in scholarly works on that continent's Christian past, also foreshadowing Christian Africa's influential future.

Genres: History, Religion, Africa, Christianity, Nonfiction, Church History, Christian Living

432 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 1995

Reviews

[Brian Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isichei conveys one of the most dramatic stories of recent history. It is a gigantic tale of passion and creativity, as African Christians claimed independence from colonial churches, launched a myriad of indiginized "new religions", and formed the largest movements of popular Christianity in the modern world.

[Shu Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read up to about the 12th century, because that was the part that was relevant to my research.

The text is grammatically well written, though it's tackling of such dense subject matter as 2,000 years of history within roughly 350 pages leads to very, very short explanations and lots of time jumps back and forth as certain ideas are followed. So within one paragraph you might trace one sect forward in time for 150 years, then find yourself going backwards a hundred years, then forward again. This was good for reading for a feel of things, but for in depth, I'm going to just use this text as a keyword folder of things to research and find dedicated specific texts on for more complete understanding.

It's published in 1995. I felt it was ever so slightly dated but appreciated the information. Would have been mostly lost without my history classes in college and other additional reading I've already done. Then again, I feel like the book may focus more on the last three hundred years of missionary work, etc, as I read the first 45 pages and we covered 1,100 years of history or more, so more than half of the time period. So if you're looking for details on early Christian African history, which is a fascinating subject, perhaps give this book a pass. If you're looking for the last three hundred years, perhaps this book has a lot more to offer. Meanwhile, my research calls, so I'm off to the next source, even though I remain curious.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The information here is so important, but wow it needed editing and the occasional conclusion at the end of a chapter. Amazing stories and detail and perspective about local African churches and mainstream leaders—a useful corrective to the missionary-based history I have usually obtained. I appreciate it and the historiography it contains and will assign some chapters to my students.

[Dr. Kara Kate Ukwuorji · Rating 1 out of 5]

Inaccuracies throughout the book--particularly in regards to the Igbo tribe. Outdated information and should not be considered as a reliable source.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure who this book was written for, but it was not me. I am new to the subject and far from a scholar. The book was very disjointed. In just a couple of pages you could jump between several different time periods, countries, sects, and people. There was a frequent use of just peoples' last names; I could remember if this person was talked about earlier in the book. There was no central driving story line to follow. I picked up a few facts about a few situations in this book but did not have the desired education I was looking for.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good resource book for research. Did a lot of skimming but worth having in my library. I prefer information on early ancient church in Africa. Love the story of Perpetua and Felicity.

[Soren Dayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book desperately needs a good edit. So much interesting material. Lots of connectivity. But it has no structure. Just tours of stuff

What's the point?