Christianity in Roman Africa: The development of its
practices and beliefs
J. Patout Burns Jr and Robin M. Jensen
Eerdmans £35.99
(978-0-8028-6931-9)
Church Times Bookshop £32.40
TWENTY years ago, two authors and four collaborators set
themselves an ambitious task. Their aim was to describe the life
and practices of the Church of the region of North Africa, using
not only theological texts, but also archaeological remains,
mosaics, and other pieces of art, and placing these within a social
context.
We discover that the faith of this region had a formative
influence on the Western Church. Roman North Africa covers the
present-day nations of Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya. Here,
Christians first translated the Bible into - and used - Latin, and
a succession of theologians - Tertullian, who was the first
Christian theologian to write in Latin; Cyprian; and Augustine -
formed a theological tradition that spread into Europe. In
contrast, the early Christian communities of Italy and Gaul spoke
Greek.
While the Greeks struggled to find definitions to convey the
mysteries of the Trinity and the nature of Christ, the Roman
bishops were confronted with more practical challenges. The Church
was divided over the charismatic prophecy of Montanism in the early
third century; the treatment of those who renounced Christ in the
various persecutions; then between Donatists and Caecilians in the
fourth century.
These bitter arguments forced them to think through what the
Church is, and especially how an earthly organisation can be the
means of salvation. They were concerned with the right forms of
government, the practice of worship and sacraments, and so the
building of a holy community. Western Christianity was born out of
struggle with practical and disciplinary concerns.
This story is presented in three sections. The first is a
history of a turbulent period of the life of the Church, including
persecutions, Vandal invasions, and the Arab conquests in the
seventh century which overcame and absorbed the Christian Church in
the region. The second, and longest part, describes the sacraments
and other practices. These show how baptismal discipline developed,
and how the eucharist changed from being a household agape
based around a domestic evening meal to a morning liturgy for the
whole church, presided over by the bishop.
Then there are descriptions of penance; of ordination; of
burial; and then of the conditions of marriage, virginity, and
widowhood. A third section summaries the theme of holiness, which
has reappeared through the earlier chapters.
The main sources used are not lengthy theological works, but
sermons and letters, which arose out of the events of the lives of
the churches, and show the concerns and anxieties of Christians.
Archaeological research shows what kind of buildings were used,
which in turn influenced liturgical practice. The book includes 153
coloured illustrations and ground plans to introduce the reader to
important sites.
The range of evidence and the careful exposition of themes in
this book show us a Church grappling with issues of faith and
salvation. Out of this turbulent and evolving history, the Church
of the West was formed. It reminds us that the Church of the West
has its roots in Africa.
The Revd Dr John Binns is Vicar of Great St Mary's,
Cambridge, and an Hon. Canon of Ely Cathedral.