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The facts of the expansion are beyond dispute.

In 1900 Africa was firmly under the control of the colonial powers with a population of 108 million, of whom 8.7 million (9%) were Christian.

The majority of those Christians were Coptic and Ethiopian Orthodox.

They were outnumbered by 34.5 million Muslims. A ratio of 4:1.

By 1962, when Africa had shaken off colonial rule, there were about 60 million Christians and 145 million Muslims.

By 1985 it was clear that a major expansion of the Christian faith had taken place in the midst of the pessimism and turmoil of postindependent Africa. There were over 16,500 conversions a day, yielding an annual rate of over 6 million.

Although they were very little prepared for it, the churches found themselves as the only viable structures remaining after the breakdown of state institutions. Ironically, Christian Africans came predominantly from the poor and marginalized.

In 1970 there were 120 million Christians; in 1998 it had jumped to 330 million; and in 2000 to 350 million. In twenty years there could be 600 million Christians, making Africa the second largest Christian continent after South America.

What factors contributed to this expansion?

According to Lamin Sanneh there were at least four:

1. The end of colonialism

The expansion took place after colonialism and during the period of national awakening. Perhaps colonialism was an obstacle to the growth of Christianity.

2. The delayed effect of Bible translation into African languages

With vernacular translation when cultural renewal, and that encouraged Africans to view Christianity in a favorable light.

3. African agency

Africans stepped forward to lead the expansion without the disadvantage of foreign compromise. Young people, especially women, were given a role in the church.

4. Christian expansion was limited to those societies whose people had preserved the indigenous name for God

Africans best responded to Christianity where the indigenous religions were strongest, not weakest.

In contrast, Islam expansion and growth was most impressive where the indigenous religions had been vanquished or subjugated by the secuarlizing colonial powers.

Christian missions caused a naturalized Christianity to take root in Africa as Muslim leaders turned to political agitation to push Islam’s public agenda.

While all this was unfolding in Africa, what was happening in the West? During the same period (1970-85) 4,300 people were leaving the church on a daily basis in Europe and North America.

“Whose Religion Is Christianity?: The Gospel beyond the West” (Lamin Sanneh)