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EDAN book launch at AACC Theological Institute.

EDAN book launch at AACC Theological Institute.

On 6 December, the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network (EDAN) and the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) launched three new theological resources during the 7th AACC Theological Institute.

The three publications include “Perspectives on Disability: Resources for Theological and Religious Studies in Africa,” “Disability in Africa: Resource book for Theology and Religious Studies” and “Towards an African Theology of Life with Dignity.” Participants at the conference said the books will be valuable in accompanying Christian and religious studies in Africa. The first two were developed and published by EDAN while the third was released by the AACC.

While sharing the process EDAN has taken in theological education, Anjeline Okola, an EDAN representative, stated: “Theological institutions played a very significant role in ministerial formation and that is why we have worked closely with theological institutions at the regional and national levels to influence curriculum development to include disability concerns.”

Those planning the launch hoped it would encourage young theologians in Africa to engage in research, writing and publishing to give the world a scholarly understanding of African Christianity.  “The church in Africa is growing; this growth needs to be accompanied by theological resource materials,” said Prof. Jesse Mugambi of Acton Publishers.

The theme of this year’s AACC Theological Institute is “Respecting the Dignity and God’s Image in Every Human Being: Contextual Bible Study.”

The publications address issues related to dignity and disability from several perspectives, including biblical views; theological reflections from African traditions; and legal, ethical, psychological, pastoral and gender perceptions.

All three resources were commended by religious educators in theological institutions and other institutions that teach religious studies in Africa. “I can assure you that the books are comprehensive, very informative and make for good reading,” stated a message by one of the authors, Prof. Isaac Deji of the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.

Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network