World War Effects on African Christianity in Contemporary Africa

Abstract

Many African instituted Churches were initiated during the second phase of the African Colonial history, at the start of World War 1 to World War II (1914-1945). Most of these churches broke away from the mission churches for a variety of reasons ranging from biblicism to paternalism, attitudes that lain blame on the missionaries. Rarely are the ripple effects of the World Wars examined. This paper examined the consequences of the closely spaced World Wars on African Spirituality and their effect on later characteristics of the churches formed. The evangelical awakening in the Americas came with the revivalist gospel to East Africa, which became known as the East African Revival. Arthur Chilson encouraged the possession of the Holy Spirit and the Second Coming of Christ, leading to the breakaway faction from the Friends African Mission situated at Kaimosi. This new church was known as The Lyahuka Church of East Africa with African vernacular imputations of separatism and millenarism. Though a strong force in the early 1930s, the church today exists as a shell of its former glory; thus, the research question: What particular conditions spurred its popularity then, and the larger objective: What is the relevance of the concept of revivalism in peacetime conditions? The mixed method research used: qualitative (60%) and quantitative (40%), and a mixed sampling method from ordinary members and theologians, unveils the reality that in peacetime conditions, emotionalism will often be second place to social-economic welfare. The research findings manifest the need for a peaceful-existence within and across national borders, continental and global, for a larger fulfillment of the Lord’s Prayer that His peaceful kingdom be replicated here on earth, rather than the escapist route of pure millennialism about the Second coming of Christ.