Sanneh And Religion

Encountering the West Christianity and the Global Cultural Process: The African Dimension by Lamin Sanneh is a series of six essays about the themes of religion and culture. Immediately, Sanneh dismisses the misconception of the west being the bearer of Christianity by stating today is the era of “world” Christianity.
Chapter One, Religion and the Cultural Project, gives us the reasons behind the western misconception. Culture has long rival Christianity, however the cultural characteristics of the west have always been describe with Christianity as the main element. How can you think of Christianity existing outside of the west if you have an eurocentric perspective. This is problematic because it makes western put their own culture above
Having the Bible translated into many Africa’s languages serves as a bridge, creating cultural narrative and increasing literacy in tribes’ mother tongue. Although this is a positive factor, it also alludes to how easily the nature of Christianity can be translated “linguistically and theologically” (73). Sanneh understands this is not a new phenomenon that divided scholars. Erasmus, a Renaissance humanist was for the translation of the Bible because it can help people achieve the humanist ideal (76). Yet the French and Portuguese was against it, believing that it would hinder their nationalism mentality in the colonies. Nevertheless, this did not stop the Bible from being translated, Ethiopia in the 7th century had a Bible translated in Amharic and Ge’ez. Sanneh also gives biblical examples on the verdict on translating the Bible, the apostle Paul reminds us that culture was created “in the breath of God’s favour” and God did not give sovereignty to one culture
Too often when discussing the topic of religion pluralism it is written by outsiders who merely studied or lived in the host country for a number of years. This is evident in the article Political of Islam or Orthodoxy and Global Pluralism, both had authors conducting a case study in a foreign land. The shortage of voices coming from an insider can be depicted through Lesslie Newbigin. Although he has done great things and established a long-term relationship in India. He was never an insider, he was an outsider looking within on the complex societal role of religions in India. On the other hand, Senneh is an insider, he is from Gambia, a country that is predominantly Muslim, yet he converted to Christianity. Everything about Senneh makes him well equipped in African History, Christianity, and Islam. In addition, there are striking similarity between Senneh and Justin Marty within this book, both of them saw religion and culture as