Christianity as authentic Igbo religion: A model for inculturation

The main focus of this dissertation is to examine the nature of Christianity in Igboland and propose dialogue as an effective inculturation model for authentic Igbo Christianity. I contend that for Christianity to become authentically Igbo, the Igbo must hear the Christian message in the language they can understand and conceive Christian meanings in those symbols and metaphors which are native to them. With a combination of literary and field research the dissertation presents the current nature of Igbo Christianity, highlighting its inadequacies, and formulates practical steps to achieving authentic Igbo Christianity.;Chapter one serves as an introduction and gives a structural treatment of the purpose and methodology of the dissertation. Chapter two looks at the nature of African religions, with a special emphasis on Igbo religion. This chapter examines various definitions of "African traditional religion" by both foreign and indigenous scholars, and suggests that there is no such thing as African traditional religion. Rather, there are religions of Africa.;The third chapter gives a historical outlay of the introduction of Christianity in Igboland. It gives a brief history of the major mission and indigenous churches in Igboland, focusing mainly on their methods of evangelism and church planting.;Chapter four addresses the current condition of the church in Igboland, focusing mainly on Oweni Igbo. Here, the results of field research are used to assess the present nature of religious consciousness in Igboland. The fifth chapter discusses seven theories of inculturation from a definitional standpoint.;Chapter six offers an explanation of dialogue and the dialogical method of evangelism. This chapter defines dialogue, and discusses the dialogical method of communication and how fitting it is to the total life of the Igbo. Drawing from the dialogical model of evangelism which Jesus and Paul used, the chapter recommends dialogue as the most effective method of gospel communication to Igbo audiences, considering the democratic and autonomous nature of Igbo life.;The dissertation ends with some concluding remarks, emphasizing the dialogical method of evangelism in Igboland and the need for foreign and indigenous preachers and teachers of Christianity in Igboland to consider seriously the Igbo socio-cultural context and make adequate use of the Igbo language, symbols, concepts, metaphors and proverbs.