Ancestor Christology: Re-assessing Bénézet Bujo’s contribution to African theology

Abstract

Attempts at developing a Christology from a uniquely African perspective could be considered as one of the contextual expressions of Christian theological enterprise. Of course, it is clear that within the context of world Christianity, every theology is contextual. This article, which critically explores the Christological ideas of one of the foremost African theologians, Bénézet Bujo, locates the many reflections about Christ within the African context. The article consistently argues for the necessity of African Christology and for a deepened understanding of Bujo’s argument in making the person of Christ intelligible within Africa by deploying the traditional African category of ancestorship in this regard. Ancestorship as a Christological paradigm remains contentious as it raises a lot of questions as to its appropriateness in the understanding of Christ for African Christians. Yet, the assessment of the paradigm must go beyond seeking a logical interpretation that ties it to the predominant Christological formulations of the West to seek the meaning of revelation within the African worldview. This article, therefore, appraises the insights of Bujo and highlights the deficiencies of his arguments, while calling for more attention to its ethical and catechetical import.