Africitas theologica: An Inquiry into the Specificity of the North African Theology of Original Sin and Grace (ca. 200-450 ce).

Within the Late Antique variety of regionally coloured types of Christianity, North African Christianitas formed its own theological tradition(s). This project seeks to substantiate and identify this Africitas theologica by studying the specific development of original sin and grace in Late Antique Africa. The point of departure for our analysis is Augustine of Hippo (354-430), arguably the most influential theologian of the region. His strict definition of original sin and grace was labelled typically African by Julian of Aeclanum in his polemics with Augustine. More recently, the scholar Gerald Bonner indicated in a preliminary way that the possible African roots of Augustines understanding of original sin and grace should be investigated. Hence, we will focus on two research questions: (1) Is there a characteristic African theology of original sin and grace prior to Augustine, which he subsequently systematized? (2) To what extent is this theology present in other regions of Christianity? Our methodology combines a thematic historical-critical and comparative analysis of both African and non-African sources with a dynamic-integrative synthesis, aimed at determining whether there was a specific African regional theology of original sin and grace.

Keywords:Patristic Theology, North African Identity, Christian Antiquity, Grace, Original Sin, Tertullian, Cyprian of Carthage, Augusti

Disciplines:Theology and religious studies, Other philosophy, ethics and religious studies not elsewhere classified