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Biblical Christianity in modern Africa

BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY IN MODERN AFRICA
By Wilbur O'Donovan
Paternoster Press. 264 pages
ISBN 1 84227 019 2

This book aims to 'discuss and analyse some of the immense difficulties confronting modern Africa from a biblical perspective'.

The range of issues covered is impressive, including urbanisation; marriage, divorce and polygamy; money, materialism and poverty; politics and power; women in society and the church; youth and age; the problems of 'wrong ideas and mistaken practices' in the church. The author writes from over 35 years' experience as a missionary in Nigeria and Ethiopia. His stance is clearly evangelical, albeit with a North American flavour.

The breadth of issues covered is one of the book's strengths, especially in a day when many Christians still neglect the calling to think biblically about our wider responsibilities in society. This is no less true of the African church, for whom the book is particularly relevant. In fact, the African focus of the book is so strong that it raises these questions: For whom is the book intended? And who can benefit from it? Although the issues covered are as important in this country, the book is clearly aimed at an African readership. That may reduce its acceptance here. It could be valuable, however, for people in this country preparing to spend some time in Africa, giving some understanding of the issues facing the church in that continent today.

Robin Wells