Oxford Centre for Mission Studies MBL lecture header

September Series: Contextualisation of Religious Conversion

The practice of religious conversion in the 21st century has revived academic interest in the subject. Most theories and frameworks for understanding religious conversion are still based on outdated models. Recent studies have focused primarily on converts’ testimonies, which is a valuable starting point for contextualizing religious conversion. However, much of this research has concentrated on individuals and their past religious worldviews. There is a significant gap in understanding the contextualization of religious conversion in relation to culture, theology, community, and other factors. In September, OCMS will address this gap through its MBL lecture series, focusing on the contextualization of religious conversion in the majority world. Full Programme Details here

Previous Lectures

Speaker Rev. Jackline Makena

About the speaker Rev. Jackline Makena is a minister in the Methodist Church in Kenya and a theologian. She has a vast experience in research and writing on contemporary theological issues, especially on Gender, Eco-theology, Ethics and Social Justice. Her interests are Christian mentorship for young people and the marginalized in society. 

Overview The presenter discusses the groups of Kenyan Christian scholars that worked towards overcoming marginalisation of women in Kenya, with example of the Pentecostal Church., Mary Wanjiku Kihuha is a lecturer at Pan-Africa Christian University Kenya School of Theology and Biblical Studies, a Nagel Institute research grantee as well as a member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians.

Speaker Mary Wanjiku Kihuha

About the speaker Mary Wanjiku Kihuha is a lecturer at Pan-Africa Christian University Kenya School of Theology and Biblical Studies, a Nagel Institute research grantee as well as a member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians.

Overview Ethiopia is one of the countries where Christianity was introduced before the schism of the one Christian Church. Its ancient civilisation was closely associated with Christianity, which strongly shaped the socio-cultural views and habits of its people, including the veneration of saints. In this session, Calum goes into more detail and cites examples.

Speaker Rev. Calum Samuelson