Christian Theology in African Context: Essential Writings of Eshetu Abate

This book is a collection of Rev. Dr. Eshetu Abates essays originally published in different books and journals. The significance of the essays for churches in Ethiopia and beyond can be described in two ways. First they were written during the last period of the Socialist government of Ethiopia and the first decade of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (between 1990 and 2002). This time signifies the years in which Ethiopia was going through social economic political and religious changes. Eshetu as a prominent theologian and pastor reflects on issues that the Ethiopian communities faced during those periods. Second Eshetu is one among few Ethiopian theologians who have initiated the conversation about Christian theology from an African perspective. He understood his own context which included the crucial existential issues that African Christians were facing to be the legitimate context out of which Christian theology should emerge. He did so without compromising the centered-ness and uniqueness of Christ. Eshetu was a theological thinker pastor and a leader of considerable reputation. Through his lectures and writings he has contributed to the development of theology in an African con-text. In his leadership and life testimony; he was able to influence his students who later became leaders in different churches and organizations throughout the world. Eshetu died of cancer on December 28 2011 in California.