THE DOCTRINE OF TRINITY IN AFRICAN CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY: AN ECUMENIC CRITIC OF CHARLES NYAMITY ANCESTRAL TRINITY

Abstract

This work is an analysis of the African interpretation of the doctrine of Trinity and its relationship with the ecumenical formulation of the subject. Special reference is made to Charles Nyamiti’s Trinitarian proposal. While a number of other African Trinitarian proposals would be explored, the focus of this study is on the formulation of Nyamiti’s Ancestral Trinity. In this work the researcher intends to make a historical survey of the discussions and conclusions of the Ecumenical Fathers on the doctrine of Trinity. It will be followed by a sequence of critical analyses of the African interpretation in order to appreciate the convergence and divergence of the ecumenical formulation of Trinity and that of African theologians with particular reference to Charles Nyamiti. The intention in this work is to examine Nyamiti’s Ancestral Trinity within African context, bringing to the fore how it converges and diverges from the traditional orthodox position on the Trinity.