‘Notoriously Religious’ or Secularising? Revival and Secularisation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Abstract In scholarly literature there is an ongoing debate about the definition and scope of secularisation. This article discusses the question of secularisation in Africa as a post-Christian phenomenon. Particularly, the role of recent Pentecostal revivalism in Sub-Saharan Africa is examined. After some clarification of terms and concepts, the historical relationship between (evangelical) revivalism and secularisation is presented. This template is then used to discuss recent potentially secularising trends in Sub-Saharan Africa. The article concludes with some comparisons and suggestions for further research.