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  1. Home
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  3. Christianity and Politics in Doe's Liberia
  • Cited by 38
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:
July 2010
Print publication year:
1993
Online ISBN:
9780511520525
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511520525
Subjects:
Area Studies, Politics: General Interest, African Studies, Religion, Church History
Series:
Cambridge Studies in Ideology and Religion (2)
Information

Book description

This study examines the role of Christianity in Liberia under the corrupt rule of Samuel K. Doe (1980–90). Paul Gifford illustrates the relationship between mainline, evangelical, new Pentecostal and independent churches, and notes the strengths and weaknesses of each. He shows that, in general, Liberian Christianity - far from being a force for justice and human advancement - diverted attention from the causes of Liberia's ills, left change to God's miraculous intervention, encouraged obedience and acceptance of the status quo, and thus served to entrench Doe's power. In so doing, this Christianity, devised in the USA and promoted largely by American missionaries, helped to further the regional economic and political objectives of the US government which was committed to supporting Doe. The Lberian example is used to illustrate the difference between the kinds of Christianity to be found in Africa and in Latin America.

Reviews

"...a must for all interested in African Christianty and politics and their interplay wth American Christianity and politics. Not only is this a representative case study but also a very wide-ranging one....To Paul Gifford and Cambridge University Press, a thousand thanks." Jan H. Boer, Calvin Theological Journal

"...a chilling but vivid analysis of the role of the Christian church in Liberia....Overall this is an absorbing book, based on personal experience and a wide range of sources. It is, also, to say the least, contentious, particularly with regard to the strictures on American evangelists, past and present. Undoubtedly, this book is certainly bound to generate spirited debate in some circles." Felix K. Ekechi, African Studies Review

"...a welcome addition to the literature on Liberia." D. Elwood Dunn, Journal of Church and State

"It is well written, clearly argued, and provides a very useful case study of African Christianity since the Pentecostal explosion." - American Historical Review

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