Thomas Oden, one of my favorite theologians of the contemporary era, has just recently written a new book entitled How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind.
I was thrilled when I encountered this book on the shelves of a local bookstore because it brought together one of my favorite theological authors, Tom Oden, with one of my specific interests, North African Christianity.
While I haven’t had the chance to read the book yet (hoping to do so soon), I did find some fascinating interviews with him about his own interests in African Christianity and reasons for writing this work (see links at the end of this post).
It is only fitting that a contemporary theologian noted for his interest in the early church fathers and mothers (see his book After Modernity … What?, his important theological framework for approaching his three-volume systematic theology and his work on the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture) should dig into the early centers of Christianity in North Africa.
But what was even more exciting for me is that Oden now sees the remainder of his life’s work to be uncovering of the buried treasure of African Christianity. By that, Oden deals with debates about who is and is not ‘African’ by giving attention to anything that happened on the African continent and anyone who lived and ministered on that continent. He has helped to form The Center for Early African Christianity with a mission as follows: “To educate African leadership in the depth of African intellectual literary achievements, especially those from the Christian tradition of the first millennium.”
Where Oden’s work takes him should prove to be interesting and informative. But, for now, off to read the book that’s now in hand.
Interviews with Thomas Oden on his new book:
- David Neff’s review of the book for Christianity Today (Feb 29, 2008)
- Scot McKnight’s review of the book on his blog Jesus Creed (April 24, 2008) – with some fascinating post discussion there
- Marvin Olasky’s interview with World Magazine (Feb 23, 2008)
- Robert Kelleman’s review of the book (Jan 20, 2008)
- The Christian Manifesto (Feb 26, 2008)
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Matthew Erickson 
From my skimming, it appears to me an important work in circles for concern for African theologians to take ownership of their own rich intellectual history if it is to rise to meet the growing pains when unorthodoxy is tempted to creep into the African emotional charismatic bend. I pray the emotions glorify God through the sound renewing of the mind.