Bantu Presbyterian Church of South Africa
A History of the Free Church of Scotland Mission
- Draws substantially on primary and secondary sources from South Africa and Scotland
- Demonstrates the exceptional activity of Scottish missionaries in the field of the development of Christian missions
- Indicates the crucial role played by indigenous Christians in the growth of the mission
- Establishes the history of South African Christianity in the context of racial segregation and apartheid
This book traces the development of the Scottish Presbyterian mission from 1824 until the formation of the Bantu Presbyterian Church of South Africa in 1923 as the first South African outcome of the three-self movement. It considers the development of this autonomous church, supported by the Free Church of Scotland until 1929, and the Church of Scotland thereafter in the light of its ongoing missionary purpose until its union with the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa in 1999. Drawing from archival sources, Graham A. Duncan documents the history of South African Christianity in the context of racial segregation and apartheid.
Introduction
Chapter 1. Background to the study
Chapter 2. The origins and early development of Scottish Presbyterian mission in South Africa (1824-1865)
Chapter 3. Rev Tiyo Soga (1829 – 1871): a paragon of early indigenous leadership
Chapter 4. The role of Mission Councils in the Scottish Mission in South Africa: 1864—1923
Chapter 5. The Rev Edward Tsewu’s dispute with the Free Church of Scotland Mission.
Chapter 6. The Mzimba Secession: A South African ‘Disruption’
Chapter 7. Presbyterianism in South Africa, 1897-1923: To unite or not to unite?
Chapter 8. Preparations for the formation of the Bantu Presbyterian Church of South Africa
Chapter 9. The formation of the Bantu Presbyterian Church of South Africa
Chapter 10. Mission to Church – Church to mission: The first ten years, 1923-1933
Chapter 11. Reaching out: The Bantu Presbyterian Church in South Africa and the Presbyterian Church of South Africa and Ecumenism, 1923-1939
Chapter 12. The Bantu Presbyterian Church in South Africa and Ecumenism, 1940-1999
Chapter 13. The end of Mission Councils: The Church of Scotland South Africa, Joint Council, 1971–1981
Chapter 14. A young church in mission or maintenance mode? The Bantu Presbyterian Church of South Africa (1923-1999)
Chapter 15. The Bantu/Reformed Presbyterian Church and Socio-political issues
Chapter 16. Bantu/Reformed Presbyterian Church Women in Leadership in Ministry
Conclusion: Indigenous Presbyterians and Missionaries – transferring contending roles and responsibilities
Bibliography
I have no doubt that this will be an important book on aspects of Scottish mission history and South African church history. There are not many people with the knowledge and background to take on a task like this; Graham Duncan is one of the few people who has accomplished this with aplomb.
