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[German Version] I. The Evolution of the Gospel in Human Cultures – II. Cultural and Social History of Missions – III. History of Mission, History of the Church, and History of the Reception of Christ I. The Evolution of the Gospel in Human Cultures Theology first examined the decentralization or pluralization of Christianity in the context of missiology: the forms and criteria of what can be called Christian are shaped by history and culture. This holds true even for the notion (however conceived) of a unity or evolution of Christianity and humankind, including division into historical periods (using European historical categories, such as Early Church, Middle Ages, Enlightenment, and Modernity). In …

[German Version] African Independent Church registered in 1964 with its headquar¶ …

[German Version] (Apr 10, 1860, Ilesha, Nigeria – May 17, 1917, Lagar, Nigeria) was born David Brown Vincent. His English name attests to the Western cultural influence which characterized his father's generation of “Black Englishmen.” His adoption of an African name should be considered with regard to the upheavals within the African Church in the late 19th century. In the Ethiopia Agbebi stood with famous contemporaries such as J. Johnson and E.W. Blyden. When, in 1888, the Native Baptist Church seceded from Baptist Church that had been founded in South America, Agbebi came into the limelight as its founding father. Schisms rapidly led to an increasing number of African churches. This was caused by a growing African consciousness – also called for by Agbebi – that opposed white dominance in church and cultural policy. Agbebi engaged in an Africanization policy over names, clothing, education, church music, liturgy, and in research of African primal religion, ministerial formation, socio-economic revolution, legitimate trade, political engagement, rural evangelism and cultural policy (e.g. Polygamy). He retained traditional church doctrine, theology and part of the liturgy and ethics. At the same time, though, he led vigorous campaigns for the black Christian cause, rejecting all Western support. He became a prolific writer and advocate of non-missionary Christianity in Africa. However, this total immersion in African culture and rejection of Western life-style was not acceptable to the majority…