Liturgical Inculturation: The Future That Awaits Us

(from Introduction) Among Lutherans liturgical inculturation is not a novelty. When Martin Luther translated the Latin liturgy into German and adopted popular songs for church services, he embarked on liturgical inculturation. The vernacular, unlike Latin, is a living language and is thus a sure vehicle of culture. It expresses the people’s thought and behavioral patterns and is an established bearer of their values and institutions. In short, the use of the vernacular in the liturgy is in itself a sign that inculturation has taken place. On the other hand, the type of the vernacular defines the quality of inculturation. There are many types of vernacular language. Some are suited to church worship, others to theological discourse in classroom; some are formal, solemn, and dignified; others are familiar, informal, and banal. The use of the vernacular is a first and important step, but its suitability is second and qualitative step of inculturation

Liturgies of the Future: The Process and Methods of Inculturation

Reviewed Book: Chupungco, Anscar J. Liturgies of the Future: The Process and Methods of Inculturation. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1989

Taking up the cudgels against gay rights? Trends and trajectories in African Christian theologies on homosexuality

Against the background of the HIV epidemic and the intense public controversy on homosexuality in African societies, this article investigates the discourses of academic African Christian theologians on homosexuality. Distinguishing some major strands in African theology, that is, inculturation, liberation, women’s and reconstruction theology, the article examines how the central concepts of culture, liberation, justice, and human rights function in these discourses. On the basis of a qualitative analysis of a large number of publications, the article shows that stances of African theologians are varying from silence and rejection to acceptance. Although many African theologians have taken up the cudgels against gay rights, some “dissident voices” break the taboo and develop more inclusive concepts of African identity and African Christianity

Book Review: Christian Inculturation in India

A review of Christian Inculturation in India by Paul Collins

After All, Africa is Largely a Nonliterate Continent : The Reception of Vatican II in Africa

The article examines critical factors that determined the impact, reception, and implementation of Vatican II in Africa. Drawing on historical accounts, the author identifies and analyzes personalities, contexts, and issues that conditioned and shaped Africa\u27s participation in the council. Looking back 50 years, he argues that while the continent\u27s participation was negligible, shaped by a combination of events and attitudes that either facilitated or hampered reception, concrete examples abound of how the council generated impetus for growth, renewal, and reform in inculturation, interreligious dialogue, theological reflection, and ecclesial collaboration in Africa

Reassessing Canonical Attitudes Towards African Marriage Practices Based on a Study of the African Synod

African theologians are virtually unanimous in pointing out that the experience and institution of marriage constitute a special test case for the process of inculturation in the Church in Africa. This article studies the problem as it was dealt with by the African Synod, that is, from the perspective of the Code of Canon Law in relation to extremely important issues such as grounds for nullity, consummation of marriage and marital consent. In the author\u27s opinion the Synod opens the way for further discussion and examination of the issues involved rather than provide practical solutions. The pastoral problem of compatibility of canonical attitudes with African marriage practices remains an open question