ATONEMENT IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION AND CHRISTIANITY:THE NEXUS

Abstract

This article deals with the subject of atonement in African Traditional Religion and Christianity. The study examines the practice of atonement in African Traditional Religion and Christianity and discovers that there is a relationship between the two religions on the subject. The study is apologetic in nature and presents the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the final and only authentic atonement for the sins of mankind. The work explores the practice of atonement in African Traditional Religion and identifies blood sacrifices, purification/cleansing, cross-road sacrifices, as well as their significance for the adherents of the religion. On the other hand, the biblical concept and practice of atonement is also considered from both the Old Testament and the New Testament in relation to the sacrificial death of Christ. From the findings, it is evident that atonement in African Traditional Religion is still functional and poses a challenge to the Christian faith and witness. However, it is discovered from the biblical point of view that the sacrificial death of Christ is efficacious, sufficient final and the only authentic atonement for the sins of mankind. It is also discovered that the practice of atonement in African Traditional Religion has political, social, economic and religious implications for Christianity. It is recommended that Christians should engage in aggressive evangelism and also demonstrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit, both within and outside the church, so as to offer the adherents of African Traditional Religion and nominal Christians a better option in Christ.