Oracle of Wisdom Journal of Philosophy and Public Affairs

Christianity remains one of the most powerful religions, if not the most powerful, in Africa. Christianity has tremendous influence and impact on the African continent and what happens in it. The positions of Christians have often gravely and negatively affected African culture as it has led to the destruction of sacred groves, African cultural artefacts and heritage, destruction of traditional institutions, etc. This is what makes it imperative to study the relationship between Christianity and African customary or cultural practices. The paper theorises that fanatical and fundamentalist brands of Christianity more often than not have no place for African culture, for them African culture and customary practices are evil and Christians should not in any way partake in them. They perceive the biblical statement, “do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers,” to mean total separation from all customs and traditions. This paper uses a critical, analytic, evaluative, and hermeneutic methods to argue that African culture is not evil. The bible is rooted in many traditional customary practices. It argues for Christianity to have a positive attitude towards culture. Culture and customary practices should be prophetically examined and evaluated. Negative aspects of cultural practices should be transformed, while good aspects should be adapted or inculturated into Christianity. The paper concludes that it is imperative that this be done.

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