Church, Culture And Reformation: The Translation Of The Gospel At The Angolan Crossroads Between The Reformed Legacy And African Identity.

Abstract

traditions within the context of the contemporary Angolan church. Drawing on a contextual theological approach, it proposes a hermeneutic of inculturation that encourages the integration of Christian faith with local cultural identity. The aim is to overcome the imposition of Eurocentric ecclesiological models and to promote an authentic and relevant Christian experience within the African context. The discussion addresses the theological ethnocentrism inherited from colonial missions, the translatability of Christianity—understood as its ability to be expressed in diverse cultures—and the global nature of the faith, which recognizes the legitimacy of multiple ways of living the Gospel. Based on these reflections, the text advocates for the development of an African ecclesiology that combines biblical fidelity with an appreciation for local cultural expressions, contributing to a more incarnational, plural, and contextually engaged Angolan church.