African Fluid Spirituality and the Development of Transdenominationality: An Ecclesiological Reimagination of the Ecumenical Future of World Christianity

Okpaleke, Ikenna Paschal
(2024) World Christianity Conference, Emerging Trends in the Global South: Impact on World Christianity — Location: Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (3.October.2024)

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This paper argues that the praxis of transdenominationality, from an African perspective, could redefine the future of ecumenical dialogue as an essential aspect of World Christianity. This claim is grounded in the fluid nature of the spirituality of African religion, which is evident particularly a) in African religion’s diffuse form of monotheism in contrast to the concentrated monotheism of some of the major world religions (specifically, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), and b) in African worldview of interrelatedness of reality. Meanwhile, Christianity’s version of monotheism (Trinity) and ecclesiology of communion already demonstrate the doctrinal proximity between Christianity and African religion. In developing this argument, this paper would, first, explore how the African ‘fluid spirituality’ lends itself to the preponderance of transdenominationality within African Christianity; second, investigate the historical distortion of African Christianity through a translocation and imposition of denominationalism; and finally, argue how a rediscovery of an ecclesiological disposition that recognizes this spiritual fluidity and interrelatedness can determine the ecumenical future of World Christianity.
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Okpaleke, I. P. (2024). African Fluid Spirituality and the Development of Transdenominationality: An Ecclesiological Reimagination of the Ecumenical Future of World Christianity. World Christianity Conference, Emerging Trends in the Global South: Impact on World Christianity, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.