The Nicene Creed in Martin Thornton’s Ascetical Theology

Re-imagining Anglican Spirituality in Africa

Abstract

African Anglicans have sought to contextualise their Christian faith beyond its colonial influence, by reinterpreting their faith, tradition, and practice in authentic African ways, while remaining faithful to their Anglican heritage. This article highlights the Nicene Creed in
Martin Thornton’s ascetical theology and explores what contributions it might make towards a meaningful and contextual Anglican spirituality in Africa. An abridged version of Architectonic Theology is employed as the research methodology, beginning with an exploration of current African Anglican spirituality. The article then investigates the elements of the Nicene Creed in Thornton’s theology. The third step highlights theological principles for a meaningful Anglican spirituality in Africa extrapolated from the Nicene Creed in Thornton’s ascetical corpus. The significance of this research project provides a contextual spirituality grounded in the
Nicene Creed for Anglicans in Africa that is indicative of inculturation that promotes personal, spiritual renewal, and community transformation.