Between the year 1885 and 1915 virtually every Western European nation made a move to colonize Africa. This “scramble” for resources during the Industrial Revolution was led primarily by the English and French government. The citizens of these nations supported the globalization movement because they thought it was their duty to spread the ethics of “Christian living.” These missionaries often started schools supported by governments.
William Wade Harris was said to be visited by the angel Gabriel while he was in jail. Following his experience he devoted his life to Christianity. After being released he preached the gospel up and down the east coast. He’s said to be responsible for converting 100,000 Africans to Christianity.
In the late 1800s African Independent Churches began popping up. Their interpretation of the Gospel was more orthodox than the version being propagated by western missionaries at the time.
During WWII many European and American missionaries left Africa leaving opportunity for Africans to fill in. John Gatu requested that all missionary work be halted so that the people could gain more independence and separate themselves from western Christianity. This gave the new leaders of the church an opportunity to interpret the Bible as they saw fit.
One way that African Christianity has distinguished itself from Western Christianity is by incorporating Native African tradition. These traditions value ancestors. It is believed that ancestors play a role in the word of the living. Deceased family members continue on as guides and protectors for their descendants. Interpretation in Africa has also led 20-30 percent of native Christians to believe that God is a divine force, rather than a personal being. Different nuances in Christian beliefs and these traditional beliefs that gives the African Christian demographic such spiritual depth. A common connection that links the old and the new moral traditions is a dynamic called Ubuntu. Rather than an individual faith in God like in Western Christianity Ubuntu emphasizes the connection of all humans. In this community the Christian God can be found.