Abstract
Instead of addressing the subject strictly historically, tabulating past achievements and failures, and then setting out future challenges, I would like to interpret the subject rather as an opportunity to take stock of Christian mission in South Africa at this point in time. In such a stock-taking, past achievements and failures, as well as future challenges, will obviously be addressed. Yet my approach will be rather more inclusive, without such clear divisions. I want to address the subject according to four critical issues facing the church in its African context (cf. Northcott 11: 36–40). These issues are:
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(1)
the fact that Christianity in Africa (also in South Africa) tends to conform to society, for example, in racial matters, rather than to transform it;
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(2)
the fact of the church/mission’s identity with the West and its civilisation, and the tacit assumption that Africa will do best by adopting the Western pattern;
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(3)
The fact of the church/mission’s association with colonialism;
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(4)
The fact of the disunity in the church.
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© 1990 Martin Prozesky
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Saayman, W. (1990). Christian Missions in South Africa: Achievements, Failures and the Future. In: Prozesky, M. (eds) Christianity Amidst Apartheid. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-20527-1_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-20527-1_3
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