Conceptual deficiencies of a timeless God for African Christians

Abstract

The concept of God’s timelessness serves as a framework within Christianity that explicates the nature of God’s eternity and his relation to time. According to this framework, God experiences existence in a mode that transcends temporal limitations, living all moments simultaneously without being bound by time. Timelessness, associated with immutability, indicates that God cannot undergo any form of change, whether internal or external. This study argues, however, that the theology of God’s timelessness redefines God as an abstract idea instead of a living personal Being. The study contends that the timelessness perspective is foreign to African Christians, whose worldview is fundamentally grounded in African spirituality. The study utilised a desktop method to address the problem statement. The method relied on pre-existing sources, such as journals and books, to acquire insights and draw conclusions. The conclusion reached is that the concept of God’s timelessness may be one of the significant factors contributing to the departure of many African Christians from Christianity in favour of African spiritual practices.

Contribution: This study seeks to engage researchers in a dialogue that explores the intersections between African spirituality and Christianity. This matter is of significant importance, particularly in light of the ongoing trend of Christianity losing some of its African adherents to the allure of African spirituality.