프랑스어권 서부아프리카의 종교현황과 기독교 선교과제 - 부르키나파소를 중심으로

Abstract

This paper addresses two subjects: the current state of religion in French West Africa, and Christian missions in Burkina Faso. French-speaking West Africa accounts for one-third of Africa and holds a very important position in terms of mission strategy. However, fewer missionaries are dedicated to this region than the other English-speaking ones although this place needs the same love, care and dedication. Therefore, this paper aims to give insight on French West Africa and the challenges of the current state of Christian mission. In Burkina Faso, a French-Western West African country, traditional religions were already established in their belief system before Islam and Christianity entered. Traditional religions are centered on clan, tribe and community rather than the individual. These values can be observed through culture, religion, society, and customs, and much of their lives are moving with traditional religion. Their Islam is not pure Islam, but a mixed Islam, or Islam that grew up with traditional religions. They have a strong tradition of religion, such as making a piece of paper with a verse from the Quran, healing Muslims and chasing evil spirits. For them, Islam can be explained as an action-based religion based on traditional religion. Christianity is no different, which is why a missionary theo-logical approach is needed for sharing the gospel. In addition, it is very important to make sure that the correct Christian worldview is established from an early age in order to break the traditional beliefs that are located deep in the worldview. In the field, missionaries of various nationalities are working in various ways, such as church planting, educational mission, medical mission, mission for the street children, Bible translation, and disabled mission. But they all leave much to be desired. The areas left to be addressed in this paper will require ongoing research. It is also expected to bring about missiological work through interest and follow-up research in French-speaking West Africa.