Not too much of a surprise. Not too different from thinking of say, America or England as the best thing since sliced bread, the creation or Jesus. Still it is quite remarkable to see it up front and in print.
Here it is, from the report of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) National Prayer Convocation.
"Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of Church of Nigeria Prayer Convocation, Rt. Revd Sosthenes Eze pointed out that Africa occupies a very important place in God's plan and purpose as he traced the involvement of the black continent from creation of the world to the death of Christ. He said that Africa provided the enabling environment for the purpose of God to thrive.
In an expository teaching, the cleric carefully x-rayed practical applications of God's dealing with Africa in molding the characters He used to bring about generational changes. From the generation of Adam, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Isaiah to Christ, “God has always depended on Africa to bring about deliverance to His people. God specifically chose Egypt in his programming and ordination to preserve Jacob and his household.”
He asserted that the pivotal role played by the Church of Nigeria in defending the truth that has been distorted in some parts of the worldwide Anglican family is part of God's plan and purpose to preserve a remnant for Himself.
Bishop Eze however, also had some warnings for the Church in Africa. He warned that for the African Church to conform totally to the mind of God in fulfilling His purpose, the continent must strip itself of immorality, oppression, occultism, injustice, tribalism, corruption and war. He said these vices to a great extent; pose developmental setbacks in Africa as it tries to catch up with other industrialised continents of the world."
I guess this clears things up.
(tongue in cheek) well there we have it - evidence from the Bible as well as incontrovertible evidence from the palaeontologists, archaeologists and any number of other scientific disciplines that Africa was the cradle of civilisation - evidence to satisfy both the evangelicals and the liberals - all good things come from Africa, both creation and redemption. "Out of Egypt (actually Nigeria, just a slight emendation of the text) I called my Son."
ReplyDeleteI hope he also noted that the Donatist heresy also had its origin in Africa.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least it isn't all about sex.
ReplyDeleteHmm.. How far back was it that England was commonly called the new holy land by similar jinorists? I am thinking we can create an estimate of how far behind Nigeria is by observing the interval. ;;sigh;;
ReplyDeleteFWIW
jimB
Jim: "How far back was it that England was commonly called the new holy land by similar jinorists?"
ReplyDeleteMalcolm+ ponders:
And did those feet, in ancient time
walk upon Nigeria's mountains green?
And was the Holy Lamb of God, in Nigeria's pleasant pastures seen?
And cetera
Fr. Malcom,
ReplyDeleteLOL! Yup that was the sort of (err.... stuff) I had in mind.
FWIW
jimB
Who can actually spell "jingoist" but sometimes is a poor typist!