http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/377 2026-10-26T13:45:37Z 2026-10-26T13:45:37Z Kamau, Patrick Mburu Masika, Joseph Kisoi http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1268 2026-10-21T17:13:40Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Ecological ethics in African traditional religion: indigenous wisdom in relation to the Book of Isaiah Kamau, Patrick Mburu; Masika, Joseph Kisoi Africa faces an escalating ecological crisis rooted in the widening gap between modern conservation models and indigenous worldviews. This article bridges African indigenous ecological wisdom with the prophetic theology of Isaiah to construct a contextual ecological ethic that responds to African realities while engaging global concerns about sustainability. Whereas previous scholarship has often treated African Traditional Religion (ATR) and biblical theology as distinct spheres, this study employs hermeneutical and postcolonial methodologies to facilitate an intercultural dialogue between the two. It reveals that ATR’s principles of communal stewardship, sacred natural spaces, and restorative taboos resonate profoundly with Isaiah’s critique of exploitation and his vision of cosmic shalom. By integrating ATR’s tangible reverence for creation with Isaiah’s eschatological hope, the article advances a holistic ethic of covenantal responsibility. Its original contribution lies in formulating a contextually grounded African ecotheology that reclaims ATR from notions of primitivism, enriches Christian ecological discourse with indigenous insight, and offers practical pathways for policy, education, and grassroots movements toward ecological renewal in Africa.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Amolo, Frederick Otieno http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1267 2026-10-21T16:56:42Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

The church and its theological reflection in light of reform agenda in Africa Amolo, Frederick Otieno I. Introduction: Christianity deeply rooted in Africa but facing challenges. Christianity as a religious phenomenon in Africa traces its roots to the time of the apostles. It is neither a recent happening nor a byproduct of colonialism. Egypt's shore, for example, saw the church flourishing under their church leaders and theologians who were pillars of the universal church.1 The rise of theological schools in Carthage and Alexandria with Cyprian and Tertullian gave the church its doctrinal stance.2 Even with the rise of Islam, the history of Christian presence in Africa began like a drop in the ocean but later flooded the whole continent. Of lasting influence were the numerous missionary works that followed the footsteps of pathfinders like David Livingstone3 and Vasco D Gama.4 The result of such endeavors was Christianity becoming part of the landscape of the continent.5 Today, Christianity has become a majority religion in most countries south of the Sahara.

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z Mtukwa, Gift http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1266 2026-10-21T16:43:35Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Faith and the Public Square Mtukwa, Gift

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z Mtukwa, Gift http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1265 2026-10-21T15:30:05Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

The People of God and Kingdom Political Ethics in Romans 13:1–7 Mtukwa, Gift Greetings and welcome to Didache: Faithful Teaching Volume 14, no 1 (Summer 2014). This edition serves as a continuation of our last volume and the Global Theology Conference held in South Africa last March. The following articles comprise the rest of the material submitted as a resource to the conference. We are delighted that we have twenty more articles to offer our readership from around the globe. Readers will note that all of the Spanish language articles include English translation. Our thanks to Dorothy Patton Bullón and Simone Twibell, who worked so diligently to provide these translations for the Global Review Teams mentioned below. The translators’ efforts made possible the publication of these articles in both languages. As noted last edition, the shear size of the number of original submissions required we form global review teams to ascertain which articles to publish prior to the conference. I chose not to publish the reviewers’ names prior to the conference, but thought it appropriate to acknowledge their contribution at this time. Just to note, we originally hoped to have a larger, global, team working with the final review. However, global commitments hindered such an arrangement (particularly with so many participating scholars working on submissions). Many of the reviewers accepted their responsibility on short notice and worked diligently to select a solid, representative, set of papers that you will find published in Didache: Faithful Teaching 13:2. Mtukwa, Gift. “The People of God and Kingdom Political Ethics in Romans 13:1–7.” Didache: Faithful Teaching 14, no. 1 (Summer 2014). The article is included in the introductory issue material edited by Dean G. Blevins, Senior Editor, and published in connection with theological contributions to the Global Theology Conference in South Africa.

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z Mtukwa, Gift http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1264 2026-10-21T14:58:57Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

A Reconsideration of Self Support in Light of Paul's Collections Mtukwa, Gift Scholars have rightly recognized the importance of Paul’s collection for the poor Christians in Jerusalem, and the fact that it is something to which he dedicated much of his time and energy. Paul’s collections amongst the churches he planted partially reveal the economic relationships that existed among them. There is no doubt that “the collection for the saints” formed part of the glue that united various Christian congregations. This paper seeks to reconsider the call for the Church (particularly the African Church) to be self- supporting in light of “the collection for the saints”. Since Paul did not write a treatise on money, we will derive his theology from his instructions to his fledgling churches to assist the poverty-stricken believers of Jerusalem (especially Rom. 15:25-32, 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8-9). The Roman Empire’s economic systems will be described to help illuminate the subversive nature of Paul’s practice in light of the region’s dominant culture. It is anticipated that the Pauline approach can liberate the Church of Jesus Christ to use God’s resources wherever they are and wherever they are needed for God’s work. The study proposes that if Christian giving is properly done, it has the capacity to “equalize” our unequal world as resources will move from where they are to where they are most needed. Paul’s approach can free the African church to be as missional as the Pauline newly founded church communities were. Mtukwa, Gift. “A Reconsideration of Self-Support in Light of Paul’s Collections.” Africa Journal of Evangelical Theology 33, no. 2 (2014). This article re-examines the concept of self-support in Christian ministry in light of the Apostle Paul’s teaching on the collection for the saints, particularly in 1 Corinthians 16:1. It explores the biblical and theological implications of Paul’s instructions for financial support, Christian stewardship, and the practice of ministry.

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z Mtukwa, Mtukwa http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1263 2026-10-21T13:20:02Z 2018-02-01T00:00:00Z

Paul’s cruciform mission in Thessalonica: the shape of incarnational ministry Mtukwa, Mtukwa Introduction: This paper is an attempt to perceive ways in which the apostle Paul embodied cruciformity in his mission at Thessalonica as recorded in 1 Thess. 2:1-12. In this passage, the critical task for Paul, is to clarify “the missionary task, its motivation, and method”.1 It is argued here that Paul puts into practice Jesus words in John 20: 21, "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." In John's narrative, the first part of the statement makes the second part possible. There is no doubt that Jesus “‘sending’ (pempō, present tense) of his followers was to be patterned on the fact that the Father ‘sent’ (apestalken, perfect tense) him”.2 The perfect tense instructs us that Jesus continues to be on the mission, as such, his disciples do not start a mission but continue a mission, which Jesus started.3 Obviously Jesus’ mission is none other than the mission of God (Missio Dei). The paper will then draw implications for the 21st Century church. Paul's Cruciform Mission in Thessalonica: The Shape of Incarnational Ministry article is published by Didache: Faithful Teaching.

2018-02-01T00:00:00Z Mtukwa, Gift http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1262 2026-10-19T20:06:17Z 2020-07-01T00:00:00Z

Ministering in a Pandemic: Learning from the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians Mtukwa, Gift

2020-07-01T00:00:00Z Solomons, Lloyd Mtukwa, Gift Naidoo, Marilyn http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1261 2026-10-19T19:51:42Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Negotiating Tradition and Change in Pastoral Training in the Church of the Nazarene in Africa Solomons, Lloyd; Mtukwa, Gift; Naidoo, Marilyn This article highlights the tension of sustaining tradition versus the need for change within theological education. Within denominations, there is the challenge of maintaining tradition while at the same time wanting to embrace change. If this is not managed properly, the tradition can become out of date when there is a focus on controlling through enforcing tradition and through indoctrination in education. This article presents the Church of the Nazarene, as a case study, where their theological education is tested against an organic and indigenous framework highlighting the need for a contextual driven curriculum. There are various aspects within the tradition that are slow to adapt, where aspects of Western church polity and practices linger on thereby negatively impact the curriculum. However, if a contextual learning programme does not materialise students’ knowledge from the classroom will not match what they need to know once they reach the ministerial setting. This article examines pastoral training in the Church of Nazarene’s southern African region to emphasise the dichotomy between preserving tradition and the need to innovate in order to ensure its long-term viability. Contribution: This article reflects on the important balance of sustainability in a global church tradition, and it serves as a case study of issues commonly found in many denominations. It is about holding on to the core teachings that has stood the test of time but having the ability to be adaptative to the contextual needs of a region. Reasons are provided for the slow pace in change and ways to overcome this. This article contributes to the literature on the Church of Nazarene.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z Kamau, Patrick Mburu http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/514 2020-08-26T15:00:18Z 2018-12-01T00:00:00Z

Christian-Muslim Dialogue with Particular Reference to Pentecostals and Muslims in Nairobi North District, Nairobi County, Kenya Kamau, Patrick Mburu Interfaith dialogue is becoming a household name in our global society within the context of religious pluralism. Christians and Muslims are widely spread across the globe commanding almost a half of global population. Some Christians, particularly among some Pentecostals view Muslims with distrust, apprehension and rivalry. In Nairobi, Kenya, features of mistrust, disharmony, and intolerance among Pentecostal churches toward Muslims have been witnessed and vice versa. The study explored Christian-Muslim dialogue with particular reference to Pentecostal Christians and Muslims in Nairobi, Kenya. It examines Biblical and Qur’anic teaching on Christian-Muslim dialogue. Integrated Inclusivism Conceptual Model of interfaith dialogue is discussed showing how various areas of convergence and divergence work. Constructive Christian-Muslim dialogue should take into consideration integrated inclusivism ideals such as shared theological concepts and values, socio-political and economic dialogue and divergent theological concept. The paper recommends that Pentecostals Christians and Muslims should not ignore Biblical and Qur’anic teachings. Overarching interfaith hindrances should be reduced in order to talk to each other in a respectful way. In conclusion, interfaith dialogue is the solutions for effective dialogue between Muslims and Pentecostal Christians in Nairobi, Kenya.

2018-12-01T00:00:00Z Mtukwa, Gift http://repository.anu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/512 2020-08-26T15:00:20Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Gift Mtukwa, “A Reconsideration of Self Support in Light of Paul’s Collections” Mtukwa, Gift Scholars have rightly recognized the importance of Paul’s collections and the fact that it is the one thing which he dedicated much of his time and energy. Paul’s collections reveal partly the economic relationship that existed among Pauline churches. The subversive nature of this collection is quite evident since Paul moves resources from subject to another subject. There is no doubt that it formed part of the glue that united various Christian congregations. This paper seeks to reconsider the call for the church (particularly the African church) to be self-supporting in light of Pauline collections. Since Paul did not write a treatise on money, we will rely on his undeveloped theology of finances, deciphered from his instructions to his fledgling churches to assist the poverty-stricken believers of Jerusalem. The Roman Empire’s economic systems will be used to illuminate the subversive nature of Paul’s practice in light of dominant culture. It is anticipated that the Pauline approach can liberate the church of Jesus Christ to use God’s resources wherever they are and wherever they are needed for God’s work. The study proposes that if Christian giving is properly done, it has the capacity to “equalize” our unequal world as resources will move from where they are to where they are most needed. Paul’s approach can free the African church to be missional just as the Pauline newly founded church communities. Texts Romans 15:25-32, 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8-9

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z