Loading...
Mission Churches and African Customary Marriage
Ngundu, Onesimus A.
Ngundu, Onesimus A.
Author(s)
Author(s) (Additional)
Illustrator(s)
Producer(s)
Contributor(s)
Contributor(s) (Other)
Editor(s)
Advisor(s)
Contact(s)
Data Collector(s)
Collections
Files
Loading...
n30-1_035.pdf
Adobe PDF, 259.79 KB
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Online Access
Abstract
"This article traces the historical and theological development, discussion and practice of the European-oriented tradition of Church marriages in Africa. Mission organisations imposed this tradition on African Christians in the name of Christianity, resulting in social and moral dilemmas because of the coexistence of customary and civil systems of marriage-making in African society. If an African Christian couple consummate their marriage after a customary marriage celebration but before a church ‘marriage’ ceremony, church leaders are too ready to publicly pronounce stern discipline on them. The question is: whose marriage law would they have broken, since the Bible does not sanction church marriages? This paper, a theological and pastoral response to the dilemmas surrounding African Christian marriage-making, offers a practical paradigm shift in establishing valid and legitimate African Christian unions whilst meeting all the essential requirements for a customary and civil (church) marriage. This approach would also reduce the incidents of moral confusion and conflict that presently confront African Christians at marriage."
Note(s)
Topic
Type
Article
Date
2011
Identifier
ISBN
DOI
Copyright/License
With permission of the license/copyright holder