Revolution and Religion in Ethiopia
Subtitle: The Growth and Persecution of the Mekane Yesus Church, 1974-85 (Eastern African Studies)
Edition: 2nd edition
Publisher: James Currey
Published: June 2000
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 300
ISBN-13: 9780852558409
Subjects: Central government; Christian theology; Political oppression & persecution; c 1970 to c 1980; c 1980 to c 1990; Religion - Denominations - Religions; Religion; Christianity - Lutheran; 20th century; Church and state; Church history; Ethiopia; Evangelical Church Mekane Yesu; Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus; History; Persecution; Political activity
Description: "The Mekane Yesus is a Protestant evangelical church established among the Oromo of western Ethiopia early in the 20th century. Set in the context of centre-periphery politics, it has always had an uneasy relationship with the central authorities of the Ethiopian state. During the revolutionary years of the Dergue under Mengistu Haile Mariam, Mekane Yesus was the particular target of state persecution. Not only had Mekane Yesus developed a strong indigenous theology, resistant to Marxist-Leninist ideology, but along with other Evangelical churches, it also strengthened the resistance of peripheral Ethiopia to the centralizing control of the state. The church not only survived persecution, but has seen a revival, posing new challenges to the church's own theology and internal structure."--BOOK JACKET.