The Way Forward for Theological Education in Africa

2021 ◽  

Abstract This book is the culmination of a collaborative effort to develop an updated volume providing (i) sound analyses of current trends and developments in the tertiary agricultural education (TAE) sector and (ii) direction and focus for future initiatives to strengthen the sector in Africa. Part I (chapter 1) begins with an introduction on agriculture and education within the context of global and continental development goals. Part II (chapters 2-5) presents the sectoral and institutional context underlying TAE. Part III (chapters 6-16) focuses on the pathways of transforming TAE in Africa. Part IV (chapter 17) discusses the way forward for implementing the transformation.


Author(s):  
Johan Buitendag

The article reflects on the challenges of theological education in the 21st century and in Africa. Reputation, impact, success and funding have become the driving forces of the modern university. However, we are living in the 21st century and in Africa with a subsequent frame of reference that is holistic and faith-based. The article therefore argues for a multi- and transdisciplinary approach towards the nature of a university and recognition of the unique contribution theological education can contribute. Due to the inherently cooperative nature of theological scholarship, theological education could be able to avoid the extremes of the Scylla and the Charybdis, that is, fideism and secularisation, and therefore be able to survive at an academic institution. Both sectarianism and scientism should be avoided. Theological education in Africa needed to travel the same difficult road of theological faculties in Europe in the previous century.


Author(s):  
Vhumani Magezi ◽  
Collium Banda

There is a conflict over whether Christian ministry and theological education should be pursued with an expectation for economic survival. The rise of Christian ministry practice emphasising wealth and prosperity has heightened commodification of the Christian ministry. Church ministry and theological education are being used as instruments for economic profit. The link between theological education and Christian ministry, among other things, is that church practices and ministry expressions reflect the underlying theology. In such a situation, this article reflects on the following questions: How are Christian ministry and its undergirding theology being utilised as instruments of economic prosperity in Africa? What is the theological education approach that is employed to support this ministry approach? The article attempts to establish an understanding of ministerial practise that has biblically and theologically informed views of material wealth. It begins by examining the traditional missionary model of ministry as a sacrificial act and responses by African clergy. This is followed by examination of the development of the view of ministry as a means of economic survival and commodification of ministry and theological education in Africa. It concludes by providing an evaluation and proposing a way forward.


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