A Research Fellow at the Akrofi‑Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture, and the Akuapem Presbytery Director for Administration and Human Resource Management, Rev. Dr. Felix Cornelius Agyei, has called on African Christians and churches to adopt a Contextual‑Canonical Hermeneutical Approach in interpreting biblical texts related to religious freedom, religious difference and persecution.
He made the call during the 7th Annual Theological Symposium of the All-Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 5–9 October 2026. The continental gathering, held under the theme “Freedom of Belief and Persecution in Africa Today,” brings together theologians, church leaders, scholars and practitioners to reflect on religious freedom, persecution and the responsibility of the Church in Africa.
In his presentation, the Research Fellow explained that certain biblical texts, particularly Exodus 1–15, Deuteronomy 13, John 14:6 and Acts 4:12, can be misunderstood when they are isolated from their canonical, historical and contemporary contexts, and that such interpretations may unintentionally turn strong Christian convictions into justification for coercion or intolerance.
He therefore proposed a four‑movement Contextual‑Canonical Hermeneutical Approach, arguing that biblical interpretation must begin with a canonical horizon that reads individual texts within the whole biblical witness, must include historical‑critical recovery that locates texts within their original socio‑political worlds, must allow contextual interrogation in which African realities raise fresh questions of Scripture, and must be completed through communal discernment that takes seriously the voices and experiences of marginalised and vulnerable communities.
Drawing attention to Africa’s communal and religious landscape, the Director noted that Christians often live within families and communities where relatives may belong to other religions or practise African indigenous religions. He stressed that Christian fidelity must not become a justification for coercing family members or neighbours who hold different convictions.
At the same time, he maintained that religious freedom does not require Christians to surrender the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, insisting that believers may faithfully confess Christ as Lord and Saviour while defending the dignity and freedom of conscience of those who do not share their faith.
Rev. Dr. Agyei therefore urged African churches to hold together Christian particularity and non‑coercion, emphasising that the gospel should be proclaimed through faithful witness, persuasion, love and service rather than political, social or religious compulsion. His presentation called the African Church toward a hermeneutic that is faithful to Scripture, attentive to African contexts, centred on Christ, governed by love of neighbour and committed to human dignity and freedom of conscience.
The symposium forms part of the AACC’s continuing effort to provide African churches with a platform for critical theological reflection on issues affecting Christian witness and society across the continent.
