Making Disciples in Africa

In this insightful book, Chalk identifies one of the key problems facing the burgeoning church in Africa, namely that the African worldview, rather than the biblical worldview, dominates the life and practice of the African Christian. This results in a syncretism which belies true faith and practice. Having compared the tenets of the two worldviews, Chalk concludes his book by suggesting a number of solutions to the problem. This book provides a timely intervention in an area of African Christianity where few have ventured to go.

Dr Reuben van Rensburg
Principal,
South African Theological Seminary

Chalk has correctly put a finger on what the evangelical church in Africa considers to be a critical challenge to its mission- the duality of African Christians; divided loyalties between Christian and traditional beliefs. Simply put, ‘syncretism’. This is a significant work in exploring the de-syncretization of the church for Africa’s emancipation and eternal salvation.

Aiah Foday-Khabenje
General Secretary/CEO,
Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA)

In his book, Making Disciples in Africa, Dr. Chalk lays out an analysis of the African worldview that is a must read for all non-African Christians who plan on working anywhere on the continent. This book will answer a lot of questions and maybe save many from hours of frustration for someone trying to understand why the Africa church is miles wide but only inches deep.

Jim Dearman
Assemblies of God World Missions
Missionary to Burkina Faso, Togo and Sierra Leone

Feast on the depth of Dr. Chalk's research which so clearly sets an African worldview in the light of a Biblical worldview. As Africa is poised for a Reformation to becoming a leader of the global body of Christ, now is the time to thoroughly digest the research contained herein.

Kenneth D. Turnbull, Ph.D., Rev.
Executive Director,
African Christian University

Dr Chalk’s philosophical approach brings a new nuance to the issue that was not known before. I believe the book provides a useful basis, not only for a philosophical assessment, but also for a biblical examination of the problem of syncretism in the African Church. 

J. Boscoe Bangura
Academic Dean,
The Evangelical College of Theology

1. Preface
2. Acknowledgements
1. 1 Introduction
1. Relevance of Study Due to Syncretism
2. Why Use ‘Worldview’?
3. Value of Genesis 1–11
4. Value of Africans
5. The Problem
6. Pathway to Recommendations
2. 2 Worldview
1. Definitions
2. History of the Worldview Concept
3. Religious Dimensions of Worldview Analysis
4. Philosophical Elements of Worldview
5. Which Worldview(s) Reflect Reality
3. 3 Biblical Worldview
1. Christian Religion as Philosophy
2. Use of Genesis 1-11 in Establishing the Biblical Worldview
3. Genesis 1-11 and Science
4. Revelation as Postulating Christian Philosophy
5. Delineation of the Christian Worldview
6. Philosophical Elements of the Christian Worldview
7. Religious Dimensions of the Christian Worldview
8. Culture in Genesis 1–11
9. Conclusion
4. 4 African Worldview
1. Is There ‘an’ African Worldview?
2. ATR as Philosophy
3. Vital Force as Postulating the African Worldview
4. Delineation of the African Worldview
5. Philosophical Elements of the African Worldview
6. Religious Dimensions of the African Worldview
7. African Worldview and Culture
8. A Worldview in Transition
5. 5 Two Worldviews: Conflict or Conformity
1. The Two Worldviews as Philosophy
2. Basic Postulates of the Two Worldviews
3. Philosophical Elements Compared
4. Religious Dimensions Compared
5. Relationship of Christianity to ATR
6. 6 Conclusions and Recommendations
1. Religious Conversion
2. Paths of Divergence in Worldview Beliefs
3. Effects of Holding Both Worldviews on the Christian Church in Africa
4. Recommendations to the Church in Africa
5. Conclusion
3. Bibliography