Paul Gifford teaches in the Department for the Study of Religions
at SOAS, University of London. He is the author of several works on
African Christianity, including Ghana's New Christianity.
"Anyone interested in Christianity in Africa should read this book.
But beware: you will never be comfortable generalising about the
subject again. Drawing on a lifetime of research, reflection, and
rich first-hand experience, it is a consummate survey of subjects
that go right to the heart of the angst that many Africans feel in
adapting to the modern world." -- Robert Calderisi, former
International Spokesman on Africa for the World Bank and author of
Earthly Mission: the Catholic Church and World Development"This
eye-opening book examines and challenges the spiritual bases of
African Christianities, concluding with a sober commitment to
modernity. It is essential reading for anyone concerned with the
impact of religion on African development." -- Christopher Clapham,
Centre of African Studies, Cambridge University"Gifford's
descriptive presentations are based on extensive, detailed
research, but his perspectives are ultimately conservative, for he
considers African etiologies of misfortune and paths to salvation
to be based on "erroneous ontological assumptions. In flatly
rejecting cultural relativism, Gifford opposes notions of "multiple
modernities" and suggests that "enchanted Christianity" impedes
rather than fosters African economic development. Though a worthy
contribution to debates about contemporary religious fervor, this
study should be read in conjunction with works offering contrasting
interpretations."
--A. F. Roberts, University of California, Los Angeles, CHOICE
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