African Women’s Christology and Jesus our Ancestor

Since the Bible, there have been many written accounts of male theologians reflecting on Christology. The female perspective was left blank, except for a few African women who recorded and reflected on Christ-Event and their own experiences with God. Their reflections on christology differ from the male perspective based on their background, struggles, and sociological differences.

Life for women in Africa burdens many hardships. They work an average of 16 hours a day, and work hard carrying loads of firewood, retrieving water, planting, weeding, and harvesting crops. They are told not to talk when men are having a conversation and are belittled by them. African women look to blend the supernatural with their everyday life and “Jesus is the person who enables them to combine their authentic inner experience of the divine with her effort to harmonize their life with this divine.” (Nasimiyu-Wasike)

Jesus, by the African women, is described by 4 Christological methods. Being the eschatological, anthropological, liberational, and cosmological models. In terms of the eschatological method a new future for humanity is opened by Jesus’ suffering on the cross. Jesus’ death and resurrection embodies victory over the worlds alienating forces. (Nasimiyu-Wasike) African women are “called to participate in the restoration of harmony, equality, and inclusiveness in all human relationships.” (Nasimiyu-Wasike) In the anthropological method, Jesus taken on the qualities of a mother: a nurturer of life. The African women can relate to this Jesus because most of their life is based on nurturing and caring for their children, but they are more than just caregivers. Their other qualities could help establish more inclusive human relationships to Africa and the world. The 3rd method, liberational, is based on Jesus the liberator. Jesus calls the African women to help eliminate the sufferings and make the world a better place to live in. Their hunger, quality of life, and poverty are struggling but all the suffering the women have to go through is taken by Christ and works in them to create stronger human relationships. (Nasimiyu-Wasike) The last method, cosmological, views Christ as a restorer. Jesus is aware of the African’s suffering and through our faith we believe that he can heal the burdens from their lives as he did in the Bible. Around the world God uses indivuals to heal the souls and bodies of those who are ill. In Africa Mary Akatsa of Kenya casts out demons and restores people to good health. (Nasimiyu-Wasike)

When I hear people’s description of Jesus I expect to hear “My rock, all-knowing and powerful, and my inspiration.” The African women’s view of Jesus is similar to this and does not surprise me because of their immense suffering. When people go through hardships and struggles they turn to Jesus for strength and guidance. The African women are no different, incorporating Jesus in their daily lives to see the good in things. But what surprising me is how well bonded they are to Jesus. They are connected with him so much to a point where they do not even notice their everyday hardships. Their true faith and belief in Christ should be inspiring to people across the world

Christ our Ancestor interests me because personally I admire and look up to my ancestors and viewing Christ as one of them also enlightens me. In Francios Kabasele’s “Christ as Ancestor and Elder Brother”, he explains to us that ancestors are our origin and without them we would not be here today. Connecting to God, he is the one who gives us life and puts us on this earth and without him we would be nothing.