I am still planning to come back to the question of how the cross and the atonement feature in Tanzanian theology, but here I want to give a write up of our pastor’s sermon from just before Christmas, because it neatly summarises some important themes in Tanzanian theology. It was […]
With Christmas approaching, our pastor preached on Jesus as Saviour. After all, this is what is announced at Christmas time. “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Both Mary and Joseph receive separate instructions that he is to […]
Our pastor opened his sermon yesterday by talking about the importance of names. Most Tanzanian names have some kind of meaning. Sometimes these meanings are positive e.g. Amani (peace) or Furaha (joy). Sometimes they’re neutral, for example, you can be named after the day on which you were born. And […]
As we enter December, how do you assess the year? Did you succeed with the goals you set? Did your plans come to fruition? If they did not, are you feeling hopeless? This was the issue the preacher was speaking into yesterday at church. It was a sermon about not […]
Arthur and I have put a lot of energy over the last 6 years into blogging about a Tanzanian understanding of prosperity. In part that’s because it is everywhere. If you talk to Tanzanians about the things that matter to them, success and prosperity dominate. We also believe that western […]
“If you want a sermon to learn about riches,” said the preacher, “go elsewhere, because we are talking about the pathway to our permanent home.” Then he spent the rest of the sermon talking about attaining success. It was one of those moments when I realised again that what westerners […]
I am rich I am prosperous I am blessed How would you feel if these lyrics came up in a song you were singing in church? That was our experience at church this week. The first question is how you read them I guess. Are they describing a situation that […]
Meet Jesus at uni 