Abstract

J. N. K. Mugambi has emerged as an African scholar who has made a significant contribution to the discussion of the relationship between Christianity and the African heritage. Until now the most recognizable contributor to the discussion has been Mugambi's fellow countryman, John Mbiti. Although not a newcomer in African theologizing, only during the last decade Mugambi has become widely published. He is in touch with not only Africa's rich heritage but also the philosophical theologizing in the non-African world. This study is the first ever on Mugambi and considers his correlation of Christianity and the African heritage. ;An extended introduction locates Mugambi in the broad context of the past and present dynamics of the African church, particularly in the arena of reflective thought. Attention is given to the genesis and development of the African theological movement, as well as the themes that have dominated African theologizing. ;Chapter I seeks a more focused understanding of Mugambi. The biographical sketch explores his roots and social context, those factors that helped shape him, the people and systems that contributed to his development as a philosophical theologian, and his conversation partners. ;Chapters II-IV explicate and evaluate Mugambi's correlation of Christianity and the African heritage. Chapter II provides a detailed treatment of a crucial element in Mugambi's thought, his discussion of the African heritage. Chapter III focuses on his Africanization of selected philosophical categories. Mugambi's reflections on cosmology, ontology, axiology, and anthropology are analyzed. Chapter IV describes and critically evaluates Mugambi's African philosophical theology. His discussions on the perennial philosophical issue of the One and the Many are appraised. His quest for an authentic African expression of Christianity is evaluated as well as what he proposes on speaking about God to African peoples. ;The conclusion assesses Mugambi's contribution as being part of the contemporary philosophical theology debate between exclusivism and pluralism. The apologetic value of Mugambi's pluralism is considered. The study closes with a brief proposal on the future direction of African philosophical theology