The Church as Salt and Light (1): Path to an African Ecclesiology of Abundant Life (African Christian Studies)

This book is an attempt at a critical, constructive, and creative theological praxis of social transformation in Africa. The authors apply a multi-disciplinary approach to examining how Christianity in Africa is engaging the problems of Africa's challenging social context. This is a prophetic work that applies the symbols of "salt" and "light" as ecclesiological images for reenvisioning the path towards procuring abundant life for God's people in the African continent through the agency of African Christianity. The contributors to this volume ask these fundamental questions: What is the face of Jesus in African Christianity? What is the face and identity of the Church in Africa? How can one evaluate the relevance of the Church in Africa to African Christians who enthusiastically embrace and celebrate their Christian faith? In other words, what positive imprint is Christianity leaving on the lives and societies of African Christians? Does the Christian message have the potential of positively affecting African civilization as it once did in Europe? What is the relevance and place of African Christianity as a significant voice in shaping both the future of Africa and that of world Christianity?

Stan Chu Ilo is a research professor of World Christianity and African Studies at the Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology, DePaul University, Chicago, USA. He is the author of A Poor and Merciful Church: The Illuminative Ecclesiology of Pope Francis, and editor of Handbook of African Catholicism (2022). He coordinates the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network.

Joseph Ogbonnaya is Assistant Professor of Theology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is the author of Deepening the Christian Faith (2011) and coeditor of The Church as Salt and Light (2011).

Alex Ojacor is a professor of Religion at St. Mary's National Major Seminary Ggaba in Kampala where he is the Associate Dean of Studies. He is the founder and director of the Children's Educational and Welfare Organization. He is an author, a social commentator, and a speaker.