MISSIONS ON THE DECLINE IN AFRICA?
The pew forum on Thursday April 15 released a report; "Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa." The report shows the sub-region in the lead in terms of world religious practice. I am not very excited about the report as it shows that religious expansion has plateaued or peaked as there are just as many Christians as there are Muslims overall. If the report is anything to go by then the revelation is in the section which says:
While the survey finds that both Christianity and Islam are flourishing in sub-Saharan Africa, the results suggest that neither faith may expand as rapidly in this region in the years ahead as it did in the 20th century, except possibly through natural population growth.
There are two main reasons for this conclusion.
First, the survey shows that most people in the region have committed to Christianity or Islam, which means the pool of potential converts from outside these two faiths has decreased dramatically. In most countries surveyed, 90% or more describe themselves as either Christians or Muslims, meaning that fewer than one-in-ten identify as adherents of other faiths (including African traditional religions) or no faith.
Second, there is little evidence in the survey findings to indicate that either Christianity or Islam is growing in sub-Saharan Africa at the expense of the other. Although a relatively small percentage of Muslims have become Christians, and a relatively small percentage of Christians have become Muslims, the survey finds no substantial shift in either direction. One exception is Uganda, where roughly one-third of respondents who were raised Muslim now describe themselves as Christian, while far fewer Ugandans who were raised Christian now describe themselves as Muslim.
It is a frightening prospect though I’ll take it with a pinch of salt. Nonetheless, it shows the imperviousness of Islam as a mission field and also the lack of a sustained campaign by the church to evangelise Islam.
The question to ask is; what happened to all the evangelistic efforts of the church and the much talk about mega and meta churches? Was it simply a case of 'sheep stealing' (wooing Christians from one church to the other)?
The only real avenue for expansion by either religions according to the report is biological reproduction. We are too aware what thie implications are here as multiple marriages births are more common in Islam than in Christianity.
Let me say this; we have got to get out there and start seeing islam as a mission field to be evangelised. Many a Christian either do not believe Islam needs no evangelising. Somehow in their subconscience it also a way to God or Islam is simply too tough to tackle as questions of The Trinity, The Deity of Christ and The Holy Spirit arise. That is exactly the same reason why we need to be schooled in apologetics to do mission in Islamic territory. Failing that, Bruce Bawer's 'prophecy' of a majority Muslim Europe within a couple of generations might come to pass in Africa too.
The thing about the Pew Forum report is that it is not exclusive to one religion and therefore alerts both sides. Since the information is now available to all, those who devise the best strategy wins. That is why I am commenting as a Christian to promote my beliefs. 'Arise O Church!'
Lend me your thoughts please.
FULL REPORT
While the survey finds that both Christianity and Islam are flourishing in sub-Saharan Africa, the results suggest that neither faith may expand as rapidly in this region in the years ahead as it did in the 20th century, except possibly through natural population growth.
There are two main reasons for this conclusion.
First, the survey shows that most people in the region have committed to Christianity or Islam, which means the pool of potential converts from outside these two faiths has decreased dramatically. In most countries surveyed, 90% or more describe themselves as either Christians or Muslims, meaning that fewer than one-in-ten identify as adherents of other faiths (including African traditional religions) or no faith.
Second, there is little evidence in the survey findings to indicate that either Christianity or Islam is growing in sub-Saharan Africa at the expense of the other. Although a relatively small percentage of Muslims have become Christians, and a relatively small percentage of Christians have become Muslims, the survey finds no substantial shift in either direction. One exception is Uganda, where roughly one-third of respondents who were raised Muslim now describe themselves as Christian, while far fewer Ugandans who were raised Christian now describe themselves as Muslim.
It is a frightening prospect though I’ll take it with a pinch of salt. Nonetheless, it shows the imperviousness of Islam as a mission field and also the lack of a sustained campaign by the church to evangelise Islam.
The question to ask is; what happened to all the evangelistic efforts of the church and the much talk about mega and meta churches? Was it simply a case of 'sheep stealing' (wooing Christians from one church to the other)?
The only real avenue for expansion by either religions according to the report is biological reproduction. We are too aware what thie implications are here as multiple marriages births are more common in Islam than in Christianity.
Let me say this; we have got to get out there and start seeing islam as a mission field to be evangelised. Many a Christian either do not believe Islam needs no evangelising. Somehow in their subconscience it also a way to God or Islam is simply too tough to tackle as questions of The Trinity, The Deity of Christ and The Holy Spirit arise. That is exactly the same reason why we need to be schooled in apologetics to do mission in Islamic territory. Failing that, Bruce Bawer's 'prophecy' of a majority Muslim Europe within a couple of generations might come to pass in Africa too.
The thing about the Pew Forum report is that it is not exclusive to one religion and therefore alerts both sides. Since the information is now available to all, those who devise the best strategy wins. That is why I am commenting as a Christian to promote my beliefs. 'Arise O Church!'
Lend me your thoughts please.
FULL REPORT
"apologetics is the adjunct to evangelism." the late dr walter martin said this; maybe he quoted someone. nevertheless, it is true. when one proclaims the Gospel, "...be ready to give an answer to every man that asks of you the reason for the hope that lies within you..." (1 peter 3:15).
ReplyDeleteblessings,
2/3