The Ecumenical Landscape in West Cameroon and The Presbyterian Church in Cameroon and Infant Baptism

Two Studies from an Ecumenical Perspective

Elaboration , 2017 , 46 Pages , Grade: 1

Theology - Miscellaneous

What has motivated the first part of this paper is the genuine search for a Christian identity within the context of West Cameroon. Cameroon is a multicultural country which has been grouped into two major linguistic areas. French speaking Cameroon constitutes more than 70% of the country while the English speaking part makes up more than 25%. Most often, the story of Cameroon is written in a block and as if it were a complete unit without minding the fact that the two linguistic parts are made up of two different people who have completely different cultures and styles of governance as well as Christian experiences. This began in colonial days, when missionary activities followed colonial principles.

Thus to concretely explore the subject of ecumenism in Cameroon, the two units must be studied separately in order to get the true ecumenical story of the country. In this paper, focus will be laid on West Cameroon where ecumenism seems to have been swallowed up under a structure of ecumenism known as CEPCA which operates more than 90% in the French speaking area and by French principles. By exploring this option, this paper seeks to make a clear difference between the experiences of the two territories.

The motivation for the second paper on infant water baptism from the perspective of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) is guided by the ecumenical reality of the context of Cameroon and particularly the Western part of Cameroon considered as the English speaking section of the country. The reality shows that there are many arguments and divisions over the issue of water baptism among the churches operating in this area of the country, with each confession trying to criticize the position of the other in the way they do baptism. These criticisms are often time void of a positional defense on why each does their water baptism the way they do.

The PCC in particular and the other traditional churches in West Cameroon have suffered from the hands of the Pentecostals or new churches over the issue of infant baptism. These are not able to clearly stipulate why they think infant baptism is bad but have simply thrown it away in favor of adult water baptism. Upon this background, this paper is meant to attempt an explanation of the PCC’s position on baptizing infant with water and why they think it’s a very important rite that must not be neglected within the ministry of the church.

Table of Content

THE ECUMENICAL LANDSCAPE IN WEST CAMEROON: AN ECUMENISM OF SUSPICION AND WORRY
1. CHAPTER ONE: General Structure and Introduction to Research Paper
MOTIVATION
RESEACH APPROACH
RESEARCH PROBLEM OR QUESTION
PURPOSE OF STUDY
INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS ECUMENISM
2. CHAPTER TWO: In-depth View of Ecumenicity in West Cameroon
VARIOUS FAITH CONFESSIONS PRESENT IN WEST CAMEROON
INTER-CHURCH ECUMENICAL RELATIONS IN WEST CAMEROON
a) PROTESTANTS AND ROMAN CATHOLICS
b) PROTESTANTS AND PENTECOSTALS
c) ROMAN CATHOLICS AND PENTECOSTALS
d) PROTESTANT AND PROTESTANT
e) AIC/TEC AND TRADITIONAL CHURCHES
f) CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS
3. CHAPTER THREE: The Way Forward for Ecumenism in Cameroon
SUMMARY VIEW AND OBSTACLES TO ECUMENISM IN WEST CAMEROON
PROPORSALS FOR BETTER ECUMENICITY IN WEST CAMEROON
a) Bilateral and Intra-Confessional Dialogues
b) Regional Ecumenical Bodies
c) National Christian Forum
4. CONCLUSION

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CAMEROON, PCC AND INFANT BAPTISM: AN ECUMENICAL WORRY
1. CHAPTER ONE: General Introduction and Structure of Research Paper
MOTIVATION
RESEACH APPROACH
RESEARCH QUESTION/PROBLEM
STUDY PURPOSE
INTRODUCTION
ETYMOLOGY
2. CHAPTER TWO: PCC’s Biblical Understanding of Baptism vis-à-vis Other Confessions
BIBLICAL TYPES OF BAPTISM
BIBLICAL METHODS OF BAPTISM
BIBLICAL FORMS OF BAPTISM
3. Chapter Three: SOME ECUMENICAL DISCUSSIONS ON BAPTISM IN WEST CAMEROON
a) Doctrine before Baptism in West Cameroon
b) Economic and Social Implications of Baptism
c) Blending Baptism in PCC
d) God Parenting
e) Changing of Names
4. CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

• Course: Inter-Confessional Dialogue
• Grade: 1
• Author: Emmanuel Wayi (Mico) (Author)
• Publication Year: 2017
• Pages: 46
• Catalog Number: V353112
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668397781
• ISBN (Book): 9783668397798
• Language: English
• Tags: West Cameroon, Baptism, ecumenism, dialogue