Description
Book SynopsisDemonstrates the reciprocal influences between Christianity and politics throughout South African history.Almost three-quarters of South Africans in the late-1990s call themselves Christians. From colonial times, when missionaries embroiled themselves in frontier conflicts, until recently, when both defenders and opponents of apartheid draw heavily upon Christian doctrine and ritual, Christian impulses have shaped South Africa. North America: University of California Press; South Africa: David Philip/New Africa Books
Trade ReviewThis is an ambitious book, which aims to give a synthesis of recent historiography on Christianity in South Africa ... It is eloquent and persuasive in its advocacy of the importance of Christianity for a general understanding of South African history, and as such will be of considerable value both to the general historian and to the student of Christianity. -- Kevin Ward * AFRICAN AFFAIRS *
... well written, tightly edited with cross-references between essays, the book succeeds in demonstrating that Christianity influenced politics throughout South African history and was in turn influenced by politics. - Lyn Graybill in * AFRICAN STUDIES REVIEW *
This volume can be read from cover to cover or consulted as a reference. It will quickly establish itself as a leading contribution to work in this broad field. - * BOLLETINO DEL CIRT *
Table of ContentsPart 1 The transplanting of christianity: The Reformed Church and colonial society under Dutch rule, Jonathan N. Gerstner; Early missions in the Cape colony, Elizabeth Elbourne, Robert Ross; Churches of 19th-century European immigrants, R. Davenport; Christian beginnings (Xhosa), Janet Hodgson; Christian beginnings (ZULU and Swazi), Norman Etherington; Monarchs and missionaries (Tswana and Sotho), Roger B. Beck; The spread of christianity in Transorangia, Irving Hexham, Karla Poewe. Part 2 The churches of modern Africa: Afrikaner churches, Johann Kinghorn; English-speaking churches, John W. de Gruchy; Lutheran missions and churches, Georg Scriba, Gunnar Lislerud; The Roman Catholic Church, Joy Barin; African initiated churches, Hennie Pretorius, Lizo Jafta; The Pentecostals, Allan A. Anderson, Gerald J. Pillay. Part 3 Christianity in South Africa sub-cultures: all-male christianity in gold-mine compounds, Tshidiso Maloka; Women's christian organisations, Deborah Gaiskell; Conversion, slavery and gender in urban western Cape, Robert C.H. shell; Christianity and the jews, Milton Shain; christianity among Indian South Africans, Gerald J. Pillay. Part 4 Christianity and creative arts: Christianity and literature, Jeff Opland; Christian music in the western tradition, Barry Smith; Christian music among Africans, David Dargie; South African christian architecture, Dennis Radford. Part 5 Christianity, power and race: Millennial christianity; British imperialism and African nationalism, Wallace G. Mills; Missionaries and South African christians in the age of segregation, R. Elphick; South African theology since 1948, E.M. Klaaren; Christianity and anti-apartheid struggle, P. Walshe.
