African Christian Ethics

by Samuel Waje Kunhiyop

• ISBN13: 9789966805362
• ISBN10: 9966805362
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-10-01
• Publisher: Zondervan

Summary

This is an introduction to African Christian Ethics for Christian colleges and Bible schools. The book is divided into two parts. The first part deals with the theory of ethics, while the second discusses practical issues. The issues are grouped into the following six sections: Socio-Political Issues, Financial Issues, Marriage Issues, Sexual Issues, Medical Issues, and Religious Issues. Each section begins with a brief general introduction, followed by the chapters dealing with specific issues in that area. Each chapter begins with an introduction, discusses traditional African thinking on the issue, presents an analysis of relevant biblical material, and concludes with some recommendations. There are questions at the end of each chapter for discussion or personal reflection, often asking students to reflect on how the discussion in the chapter applies to their ministry situation.

Author Biography

Samuel Waje Kunhiyop is Head of the Postgraduate School, South African Theological Seminary

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xi
Acknowledgements	p. xiii
Preface	p. xv
Ethical Foundations
Introduction to the Study of African Christian Ethics	p. 3
Some Definitions	p. 3
African and Western Ethics	p. 5
African Christian Ethics	p. 6
Foundations of Contemporary African Ethics	p. 7
Sources for the Study of African Ethics	p. 8
Customs and Taboos	p. 9
The Oral Tradition	p. 10
The Role of Religion in African Ethics	p. 15
The Role of Community in African Ethics	p. 20
Conclusion	p. 25
Foundations of Western Ethics	p. 27
Major Influences on Western Ethics	p. 27
Major Theories in Western Ethics	p. 34
Western Ethics and Christian Ethics	p. 42
Conclusion	p. 43
Foundations of Christian Ethics	p. 45
The Source of Knowledge: Revelation	p. 46
The Source of Ethics: The Triune God	p. 51
The Recipients of Ethics: Human Beings	p. 55
The Redeemed Community	p. 57
Eternal Perspectives	p. 62
Conclusion	p. 64
Foundations of African Christian Ethics	p. 65
African Ethics and Christian Ethics	p. 65
The Role of Community in African Ethics	p. 67
Biblical Guidelines for African Christian Community	p. 69
Applying African Christian Ethics	p. 72
Real-Life Situations	p. 72
Resolving Ethical Conflicts	p. 73
Conclusion	p. 74
Contemporary Ethical Issues
Political Issues
Introduction to Political Issues	p. 80
Church and State	p. 83
The Changing African Context	p. 84
Christian Theology and the State	p. 87
Biblical Perspectives on the State	p. 89
Church and State in History	p. 93
Arguments For and Against Separation	p. 95
Further Arguments for Involvement	p. 99
The Nature of the Church's Involvement	p. 100
Key Principles	p. 104
Conclusion	p. 106
War and Violence	p. 107
Ethnic and Religious Conflicts	p. 108
Causes of Ethnic and Religious Conflict	p. 109
Violence as a Solution	p. 112
Biblical Perspectives on Violence	p. 114
Applying Christian Principles in Ethnic and Religious Conflicts	p. 121
Conclusion	p. 124
Strikes	p. 126
The Nature of Strikes	p. 127
Advantages of Strikes	p. 127
Disadvantages of Strikes	p. 128
Ethics of Participating in a Strike	p. 130
Alternatives to Strikes	p. 132
Conclusion	p. 134
Financial Issues
Introduction to Financial Issues	p. 136
Poverty	p. 137
Africa's Needs	p. 139
Biblical Perspectives on Poverty	p. 142
Mistaken Assumptions about Wealth and Poverty	p. 147
Recommendations for Helping the Poor	p. 153
Conclusion	p. 162
Corruption	p. 164
Defining Corruption	p. 165
Traditional Gifts and Bribes	p. 166
Consequences of Corruption	p. 167
Christian Complicity	p. 169
Biblical Perspectives on Corruption	p. 170
The Christian Response to Corruption	p. 171
Conclusion	p. 173
Fund-Raising	p. 174
Traditional Fund-Raising Techniques	p. 174
Contemporary Fund-Raising Techniques	p. 175
Biblical Perspectives on Fund-Raising	p. 176
Ethical Issues in Fund-Raising	p. 177
Effective Fund-Raising	p. 183
Conclusion	p. 187
Marriage and Family Issues
Introduction to Marriage and Family Issues	p. 190
Procreation and Infertility	p. 195
Biblical Perspectives on Procreation	p. 196
Causes of Infertility	p. 198
A Christian Approach to Infertility	p. 202
Reproductive Technologies	p. 204
Traditional Solutions to Childlessness	p. 204
Technological Solutions to Childlessness	p. 206
Disability Screening and Sex Selection	p. 210
Problems with Reproductive Technologies	p. 212
A Christian Response to Reproductive Technologies	p. 213
Contraception	p. 215
Traditional Attitudes to Contraception	p. 215
Methods of Contraception and Birth Control	p. 216
Biblical Perspectives on Contraception	p. 218
Opposition to Contraception	p. 220
Marriage and Contraception	p. 221
Conclusion	p. 222
Polygamy	p. 223
Polygamy in Africa	p. 224
Reactions to African Polygamy	p. 225
Biblical Perspectives on Polygamy	p. 226
Treatment of Polygamists in Churches	p. 239
Conclusion	p. 241
Domestic Violence	p. 243
The Nature of Domestic Violence	p. 243
Causes of Domestic Violence in Africa	p. 244
Effects of Domestic Violence	p. 246
Biblical Perspectives on Domestic Violence	p. 246
A Christian Response to Domestic Violence	p. 247
Divorce and Remarriage	p. 249
Traditional Views on Divorce	p. 249
Biblical Perspectives on Divorce and Remarriage	p. 250
A Theological and Pastoral Perspective	p. 254
Conclusion	p. 258
Widows and Orphans	p. 259
Traditional Treatment of Widows and Orphans	p. 259
Biblical Treatment of Widows and Orphans	p. 263
Recommendations	p. 264
Moral and Material Support for Widows	p. 266
Conclusion	p. 266
Sexual Issues
Introduction to Sexual Issues	p. 270
Rape	p. 273
Causes of Rape	p. 274
Consequences of Rape	p. 275
Biblical Perspectives on Rape	p. 275
A Christian Response to Rape	p. 277
Incest	p. 279
Incest and Traditional Values	p. 279
Causes and Consequences of Incest	p. 279
Biblical Perspectives on Incest	p. 280
Christian Response to Incest	p. 281
Prostitution and Sex Trafficking	p. 282
Prostitution in Traditional Africa	p. 282
Prostitution and Sex Trafficking	p. 283
Factors Promoting Prostitution and Sex Trafficking	p. 285
Biblical Perspectives on Prostitution and Sex Trafficking	p. 287
Why Prostitution and Sex Trafficking Are Immoral	p. 289
Recommendations	p. 290
Conclusion	p. 291
Female Circumcision	p. 293
The Traditional Practice of Female Circumcision	p. 293
Contemporary Opposition to Female Circumcision	p. 295
Biblical Perspectives on Female Circumcision	p. 297
A Christian Response to Female Circumcision	p. 298
Conclusion	p. 301
Homosexuality	p. 303
Traditional Attitudes to Homosexuality	p. 304
Current Attitudes to Homosexuality in Africa	p. 305
Biblical Perspectives on Homosexuality	p. 306
The Christian Response to Homosexuals	p. 308
Conclusion	p. 309
Medical Issues
Introduction to Medical Issues	p. 312
HIV/AIDS	p. 315
Why the Battle Continues	p. 316
Ethical Issues Raised by the Pandemic	p. 317
Biblical Perspectives on HIV/AIDS	p. 319
Ethical Dilemmas	p. 321
Conclusion	p. 328
Abortion	p. 330
Defining Abortion	p. 330
Abortion in Traditional Africa	p. 331
Reasons for Abortions Today	p. 332
Abortion Procedures	p. 333
Ethical Issues Relating to Abortion	p. 336
Biblical Perspectives on Abortion	p. 339
A Christian Response to Abortion	p. 342
Euthanasia and Infanticide	p. 345
Defining Death and Euthanasia	p. 346
Euthanasia in Traditional Africa	p. 347
Arguments in Favour of Euthanasia	p. 348
The Bible and Euthanasia	p. 349
A Christian Response to Euthanasia	p. 350
Strikes and Medical Services	p. 353
Medical Ethics	p. 353
Ethics of Remuneration	p. 354
The Bible and Medical Strikes	p. 355
The Christian Response	p. 356
Conclusion	p. 356
Drug and Alcohol Abuse	p. 358
Drugs and Alcohol in Africa	p. 358
Defining Addiction	p. 359
Defining Drugs	p. 360
Biblical Perspectives on Drugs	p. 362
Reasons for and Consequences of Drug Abuse	p. 362
Marijuana/Cannabis/Pot/Dagga/Ganja	p. 363
Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse	p. 366
Conclusion	p. 371
Religious Issues
Introduction to Religious Issues	p. 374
Witchcraft	p. 375
Traditional Beliefs about Witchcraft	p. 377
Proofs of Witchcraft	p. 378
Biblical Perspectives on Witchcraft	p. 381
Christians and Witchcraft in Africa Today	p. 382
Theological Approach to Dealing with Witchcraft	p. 386
Conclusion	p. 389
Conclusion	p. 391
Further Reading	p. 393
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