Ancestors are simultaneously feared and adored. Ancestors are worshipped and venerated ambiguously. Ancestors can be implored from time to time for advice on personal issues. Ancestors stand in a personal relationship with descendents. Spirits of ancestors are not merely impersonal powers reigning over some holy domain. This is based on the dynamistic and animistic worldview in Africa. Children consider parents and grandparents as direct ancestors.Īncestors automatically acquire some kind of supernatural power. The natural relationship between the ancestor and earthly descendents is usually that of parent and offspring. Identifies certain common traits of ancestral beliefs (1984, cited in Stinton 2004:134): Bae 2007:1).Īlthough this phenomenon takes on different forms among different ethnic groups in Africa, Nyamiti
Africa is not the only continent where cultures have the religious practice of venerating and worshipping ancestors (cf.
There are many different ways in which this acknowledgement of the existence of the deceased are expressed. The belief in ancestors stands central in the traditional African thought and is an essential pillar of religion practiced in Africa (Stinton 2004:133≡34). Jesus Christ is not just any person of authority, but God himself, which is why the African Christian way of naming Jesus Christ is important and why these can be important elements that we can use in theology. It is the belief of the authors that Jesus is understood in different ways by Christians. Jesus Christ is and will always be an important part of every Christian's life on earth, no matter who or what you are. Research was done among the Sotho-speaking inhabitants of the township of Mohlakeng in Randfontein by way of informal conversations with the older generation from ages 40 to 90, and the filling out of questionnaires by the younger generation from ages 18 to 39. This will illustrate their knowledge of him, their trust and their belief in him. The article will also discuss why the Sotho give Jesus the name of Great Ancestor. One needs a name to identify the One being addressed. To keep this harmony and this relationship in a good condition you need to have a way of communicating with each other, you need to talk to each other and have a certain way of talking. A harmonious life is one of the most important elements in African tradition. With these names given it is the only way for them to feel close and in a good harmonious relationship with him. The names or titles given to Jesus Christ by African Christians are in line with their belief of what Jesus Christ can and cannot do for and to them, what he can be, who he is and who he is not. Keywords: Jesus as ancestor African Christianity Sotho people Mohlakeng Randfontein
There are different answers to this question. This article discusses what the meaning of the concept of ancestor entails and determines whether Jesus can indeed be referred to as Ancestor. Views of the inhabitants of Mohlakeng are used to describe the complexity of the issue. This article will describe how the Sotho, who are African Christians, from the township of Mohlakeng in Randfontein, know, understand, trust and believe in Jesus Christ according to the title of Great Ancestor. People use all these different names to describe Jesus Christ according to their understanding, knowledge, trust and belief in him. Others use them because they were taught that this is the way you talk about him or to him.
These are some of the names used by Christians today and even by the people from the era of Jesus Christ to address him or to communicate with him. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Son of Man, Son of David, Lord (Kyrios), Rabbi and Messiah. Jesus Christ as ancestor: an African Christian understandingĪfrica Institute for Missiology, Reformed Theological College, University of Pretoria
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