Is syncretism really harmful to Christianity?: The Igbos of West Africa as a case study

What culture or society is pure? Which religion has not been influenced by another or other religions? Yet, why is the fusion of some elements of one religion into other religions met with distrust and disapproval? Why is there little or no theological support for the union and assimilation of quali...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Chinedu Nweke, K. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage [2017]
In: Theology
Year: 2017, Volume: 120, Issue: 4, Pages: 262-270
IxTheo Classification:BS Traditional African religions
CC Christianity and Non-Christian religion; Inter-religious relations
CD Christianity and Culture
KBN Sub-Saharan Africa
Further subjects:B Inculturation
B Catholic
B progressivism
B Contextualization
B mutual enrichment
B Igbos
B Syncretism
B Religions
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Description
Summary:What culture or society is pure? Which religion has not been influenced by another or other religions? Yet, why is the fusion of some elements of one religion into other religions met with distrust and disapproval? Why is there little or no theological support for the union and assimilation of qualities from one religion into another? Why does it seem that Christianity in particular is exceptionally anti-syncretistic? This work reconsiders under what situations syncretism is adverse or positive. Is it bad when it results in a more fulfilling and satisfactory relationship with Christ? Is it bad when it reinvigorates or retains the forms of worship that have been suitable for the people in their relationship with God before Christianity? Is it bad when it enculturates people towards accepting Christ and believing in his message, but in their own categories?
ISSN:2044-2696
Contains:Enthalten in: Theology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0040571X17698411