The West and China in Africa (PB) (2015)

The West and China in Africa: Civilization without Justice is an outcome of Dr. Alemayehu Mekonnen's personal intellectual struggle, life experience, and an attempt to understand Christ and his message within the cultural context of Africa. The intellectual struggle has to do with the paradoxical reality of Africa's situation. An attempt to reconcile the seemingly irreconcilable situation of Africa tests and stretches anyone's mind beyond limit. According to archaeological and geological findings, Africa is the first habitat of humanity and yet it is the least habitable place in the world today. The continent is extremely rich with natural resources, but it is known for poverty, disease, malnutrition, and starvation. As some Afro-centric scholars argue, Africa is the birthplace of world civilization and yet it is known for destruction. Social instability is rampant; coup d'etat and counter coup d'etat is common. Displacement and the number of refugees are ever increasing. As a person of African origin and now a US citizen, Mekonnen was able to see realities objectively in the eyes of an African and American. This book explores the myth and reality of Western, Eastern, and African dictators' role in the history of Africa. ""Alex Mekonnen has written a wide-ranging and ambitious survey of African realities, past and present. While frankly admitting the dangers and difficulties the continent faces, he also offers hope in the form of applying the Jewish and Christian prophetic tradition to a region that seems so ideally suited for it. A daring exploration of the idea of the Kingdom of God in the contemporary world."" --Philip Jenkins, Distinguished Professor of History, Institute for Studies of Religion, Baylor University ""Building on an African centrist appreciation of the historical perspectives, this study successfully analyzes Africa/West relations from every perspective. Readers will learn much about advanced civilizations in Africa and the tragedies of internal and external (no longer only Western, but now predominantly from China) forces that repeatedly have brought the continent's inhabitants unimaginable suffering. Above all, I appreciate the author's awareness that any solution is to be found in the realm of the human heart and the question of faith. Read this work to understand the geopolitics of the modern world and the critical role of Christianity."" --Rick Hess, Professor of Old Testament, Denver Seminary ""Alemayehu Mekonnen's outstanding book on Africa is informative, serious, convicting, and thought-provoking for anyone who cares about humanity. For centuries, psychological, economic, social, and cultural injustices have been heaped on Africans by internal and external powers. Mekonnen shows how, in the midst of chaos and turmoil, Africans have successfully contributed major innovations in the fields of economy, science, medicine, philosophy, architecture, mathematics, technology, literature, the arts, and theology. With sincere optimism, Mekonnen points to the real answer for Africans--""the crucified Christ [who] has power to transform despair into triumph."" A must-read by all serious Christians."" --Helene Dallaire, Professor of Old Testament, Denver Seminary ""Passionate and deeply personal, The West and China in Africa is a detailed treatise on Africa's sociopolitical and economic condition. Mekonnen works to dispel Western stereotypes, both secular and religious, of the continent. His is not the voice of victimization, as Mekonnen also points to African complicity in the centuries of sinful abuse. Succumbing neither to cynicism nor despair, he argues that any hope of justice for Africa's long-suffering peoples must be grounded in the cross of Jesus and the kingdom of God."" --M. Daniel Carroll R., Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Denver Seminary ""Expect Alex Mekonnen's newest book to open your eyes wide and cause your spirit to lament what the West has done and what China may