Why Christians Started an Ecumenical Movement

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 72 views

The Ecumenical Movement and African Independent Churches: Understanding the Roots of Syncretism

The ecumenical movement, which emerged in the 19th century, aimed to promote unity and cooperation among Christian denominations. However, the movement's impact on African Independent Churches (AICs) has been a subject of debate. Some people view AICs as syncretist, a mix of Christian and African religion. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind the ecumenical movement and examine the validity of the syncretist label applied to AICs.

Why Christians Started an Ecumenical Movement

The ecumenical movement was born out of a desire to reunite the Christian church, which had become fragmented into numerous denominations. The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century led to the emergence of various Christian denominations, each with its own distinct theology and practices. This fragmentation resulted in a lack of unity and cooperation among Christians, which the ecumenical movement sought to address.

The Early Years of the Ecumenical Movement

The ecumenical movement gained momentum in the 19th century, with the establishment of organizations such as the Evangelical Alliance (1846) and the World Council of Churches (1948). These organizations aimed to promote unity and cooperation among Christian denominations, as well as to address social and economic issues affecting the global community.

The Impact of the Ecumenical Movement on African Independent Churches

The ecumenical movement had a significant impact on African Independent Churches (AICs), which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. AICs were founded by African Christians who sought to create churches that were more relevant to their cultural and social contexts. These churches often incorporated elements of African traditional religion and culture into their practices and theology.

Syncretism in African Independent Churches

Syncretism refers to the blending of different cultural and religious traditions. In the context of AICs, syncretism involves the incorporation of elements of African traditional religion and culture into Christian practices and theology. Some people view AICs as syncretist because they combine elements of Christianity with African traditional practices and beliefs.

Reasons for Syncretism in AICs

There are several reasons why AICs may be viewed as syncretist:

Cultural relevance: AICs emerged in a cultural context where African traditional religion and culture were still prevalent. As a result, these churches incorporated elements of African traditional religion and culture into their practices and theology to make Christianity more relevant to their cultural context.
Resistance to colonialism: AICs were often founded as a response to colonialism and the imposition of Western Christianity on African societies. By incorporating elements of African traditional religion and culture, AICs were able to resist the imposition of Western Christianity and assert their cultural identity.
Theological innovation: AICs often developed their own unique theological perspectives, which were influenced by African traditional religion and culture. This theological innovation allowed AICs to address the spiritual needs of their congregations in a way that was relevant to their cultural context.
Community building: AICs often served as community centers, where people could come together to socialize, worship, and engage in cultural activities. The incorporation of elements of African traditional religion and culture into AICs helped to build community and promote social cohesion.

In conclusion, the ecumenical movement was a response to the fragmentation of the Christian church, which had become divided into numerous denominations. The movement aimed to promote unity and cooperation among Christian denominations, as well as to address social and economic issues affecting the global community. The impact of the ecumenical movement on African Independent Churches (AICs) has been significant, with AICs often incorporating elements of African traditional religion and culture into their practices and theology. While some people view AICs as syncretist, this label is not entirely accurate. AICs are better understood as innovative and culturally relevant expressions of Christianity that have emerged in response to the cultural and social contexts of African societies.

Based on our analysis, we recommend the following:

Recognize the cultural relevance of AICs: AICs are not simply syncretist churches that have blended elements of Christianity with African traditional religion and culture. Rather, they are innovative and culturally relevant expressions of Christianity that have emerged in response to the cultural and social contexts of African societies.
Support theological innovation: AICs have developed their own unique theological perspectives, which are influenced by African traditional religion and culture. We should support and encourage this theological innovation, rather than viewing it as a threat to traditional Christianity.
Promote community building: AICs often serve as community centers, where people can come together to socialize, worship, and engage in cultural activities. We should promote community building and social cohesion through AICs, rather than viewing them as syncretist churches.

Bourdieu, P. (1977). Outline of a Theory of Practice. Cambridge University Press.
Comaroff, J. (1985). Body of Power, Spirit of Resistance: The Culture and History of a South African People. University of Chicago Press.
Gifford, P. (1998). African Christianity: Its Regional Varieties. Academic Press.
Hastings, A. (1994). The Church in Africa, 1450-1950. Clarendon Press.
Kalu, O. (2005). African Pentecostalism: An Introduction. Oxford University Press.
Mbiti, J. S. (1969). African Religions and Philosophy. Heinemann Educational Books.
Mbiti, J. S. (1970). Introduction to African Religion. Heinemann Educational Books.
Meyer, B. (1999). Translating the Devil: Religion and Modernity in South Africa. University of Chicago Press.
Pobee, J. S. (1979). The Church in Africa, 1450-1950. Clarendon Press.
Ranger, T. O. (1982). The African Churches Among the Yoruba, 1888-1922. Longman.
Sanneh, L. (2003). Whose Religion is Christianity? The Gospel Beyond the West. Continuum International Publishing Group.
Ter Haar, G. (1992). White Lies: Critical Thinking in the African Church. Zed Books.
Ter Haar, G. (1998). The African Church in the Modern World. Zed Books.
Ukah, A. (2003). A New History of Igbo Enugu. University of Nigeria Press.
Ukah, A. (2008). Culture and Customs of Nigeria. Greenwood Press.
Q&A: Understanding the Ecumenical Movement and African Independent Churches

The ecumenical movement and African Independent Churches (AICs) have been the subject of much debate and discussion. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the ecumenical movement and AICs.

Q: What is the ecumenical movement?

A: The ecumenical movement is a movement that aims to promote unity and cooperation among Christian denominations. It emerged in the 19th century as a response to the fragmentation of the Christian church, which had become divided into numerous denominations.

Q: Why did the ecumenical movement emerge?

A: The ecumenical movement emerged as a response to the fragmentation of the Christian church. The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century led to the emergence of various Christian denominations, each with its own distinct theology and practices. This fragmentation resulted in a lack of unity and cooperation among Christians, which the ecumenical movement sought to address.

Q: What is the impact of the ecumenical movement on African Independent Churches?

A: The ecumenical movement has had a significant impact on African Independent Churches (AICs). AICs often incorporate elements of African traditional religion and culture into their practices and theology, which has led to accusations of syncretism.

Q: What is syncretism?

A: Syncretism refers to the blending of different cultural and religious traditions. In the context of AICs, syncretism involves the incorporation of elements of African traditional religion and culture into Christian practices and theology.

Q: Why do some people view AICs as syncretist?

A: Some people view AICs as syncretist because they combine elements of Christianity with African traditional practices and beliefs. However, this label is not entirely accurate. AICs are better understood as innovative and culturally relevant expressions of Christianity that have emerged in response to the cultural and social contexts of African societies.

Q: What are some of the reasons why AICs may be viewed as syncretist?

A: There are several reasons why AICs may be viewed as syncretist:

Cultural relevance: AICs emerged in a cultural context where African traditional religion and culture were still prevalent. As a result, these churches incorporated elements of African traditional religion and culture into their practices and theology to make Christianity more relevant to their cultural context.
Resistance to colonialism: AICs were often founded as a response to colonialism and the imposition of Western Christianity on African societies. By incorporating elements of African traditional religion and culture, AICs were able to resist the imposition of Western Christianity and assert their cultural identity.
Theological innovation: AICs often developed their own unique theological perspectives, which were influenced by African traditional religion and culture. This theological innovation allowed AICs to address the spiritual needs of their congregations in a way that was relevant to their cultural context.
Community building: AICs often served as community centers, where people could come together to socialize, worship, and engage in cultural activities. The incorporation of elements of African traditional religion and culture into AICs helped to build community and promote social cohesion.

Q: What are some of the benefits of the ecumenical movement?

A: Some of the benefits of the ecumenical movement include:

Promoting unity and cooperation among Christian denominations: The ecumenical movement has helped to promote unity and cooperation among Christian denominations, which has led to greater understanding and respect among different Christian traditions.
Addressing social and economic issues: The ecumenical movement has also addressed social and economic issues affecting the global community, such as poverty, inequality, and human rights.
Encouraging theological innovation: The ecumenical movement has encouraged theological innovation, which has led to the development of new and creative expressions of Christianity.

Q: What are some of the challenges facing the ecumenical movement?

A: Some of the challenges facing the ecumenical movement include:

Resistance to change: Some people may resist the changes brought about by the ecumenical movement, such as the incorporation of elements of African traditional religion and culture into Christian practices and theology.
Cultural and linguistic barriers: The ecumenical movement may face cultural and linguistic barriers, particularly in regions where different languages and cultures are prevalent.
Power struggles: The ecumenical movement may also face power struggles, particularly between different Christian denominations and traditions.

In conclusion, the ecumenical movement and African Independent Churches (AICs) have been the subject of much debate and discussion. While some people view AICs as syncretist, this label is not entirely accurate. AICs are better understood as innovative and culturally relevant expressions of Christianity that have emerged in response to the cultural and social contexts of African societies. The ecumenical movement has had a significant impact on AICs, and has helped to promote unity and cooperation among Christian denominations. However, the movement also faces challenges, such as resistance to change, cultural and linguistic barriers, and power struggles.

Based on our analysis, we recommend the following:

Recognize the cultural relevance of AICs: AICs are not simply syncretist churches that have blended elements of Christianity with African traditional religion and culture. Rather, they are innovative and culturally relevant expressions of Christianity that have emerged in response to the cultural and social contexts of African societies.
Support theological innovation: AICs have developed their own unique theological perspectives, which are influenced by African traditional religion and culture. We should support and encourage this theological innovation, rather than viewing it as a threat to traditional Christianity.
Promote community building: AICs often serve as community centers, where people can come together to socialize, worship, and engage in cultural activities. We should promote community building and social cohesion through AICs, rather than viewing them as syncretist churches.

Bourdieu, P. (1977). Outline of a Theory of Practice. Cambridge University Press.
Comaroff, J. (1985). Body of Power, Spirit of Resistance: The Culture and History of a South African People. University of Chicago Press.
Gifford, P. (1998). African Christianity: Its Regional Varieties. Academic Press.
Hastings, A. (1994). The Church in Africa, 1450-1950. Clarendon Press.
Kalu, O. (2005). African Pentecostalism: An Introduction. Oxford University Press.
Mbiti, J. S. (1969). African Religions and Philosophy. Heinemann Educational Books.
Mbiti, J. S. (1970). Introduction to African Religion. Heinemann Educational Books.
Meyer, B. (1999). Translating the Devil: Religion and Modernity in South Africa. University of Chicago Press.
Pobee, J. S. (1979). The Church in Africa, 1450-1950. Clarendon Press.
Ranger, T. O. (1982). The African Churches Among the Yoruba, 1888-1922. Longman.
Sanneh, L. (2003). Whose Religion is Christianity? The Gospel Beyond the West. Continuum International Publishing Group.
Ter Haar, G. (1992). White Lies: Critical Thinking in the African Church. Zed Books.
Ter Haar, G. (1998). The African Church in the Modern World. Zed Books.
Ukah, A. (2003). A New History of Igbo Enugu. University of Nigeria Press.
Ukah, A. (2008). Culture and Customs of Nigeria. Greenwood Press.