A tree needs half a century to grow. The tree of African theology will soon have reached this age. The anthology "Black priests ask questions" was published in 1956, and the theological faculty was established at Lovanium  in Kinshasa. This issue of chakana tries to highlight contexts and challenges of African theology in our time. A tree grows in accordance with an inner, non predictable pattern and reacts sensitively to the different kinds of environmental influence. African theology has evolved over 50 eventful years and has had to meet challenges of the most varied kind. 

In his article, Laurenti Magesa, Tanzania, addresses the identity problem which after the traumatic experiences of colonialism continues to play a key role. A dialogue between Christianity and African religions must take note of its participants with their diversity and independence. Madipoane Masenya, Professor for Old Testament Studies at UNISA, South Africa, reads biblical texts in the context of AIDS. In the midst of the patriarchal biblical traditions and the traditional African culture it is particularly necessary to stress the life-promoting dimension of the message of Jesus for women. Emmanuel Nwaoru (Catholic Institute of West Africa, Nigeria) gives a review of the African understanding of magic – a phenomenon having an impact on the everyday life of many people in Africa. Nwaoru warns against simplistic promises claiming to solve every problem but leaving the Cross aside. Referring to the novel Shaba Deux of V.Y. Mudimbe, André Odimula, DR Congo, tries to establish a dialogue between theology and literature. This sharpens his theological attention for the question of the financial autonomy of the African local Churches. Sylvain Kalamba Nsapo (DR Congo, at the moment Brussels) challenges African theology to opt for new approaches, e. g. the reappropriation of old African traditions and their basic theological intuitions.

These are examples of a lively theology which does not resign itself to death in Africa. Thus hope remains that the tree of African theology will continue to grow and to bear fruit even in difficult times.

Sylvain Kalamba Nsapo / Marco Moerschbacher