Understanding The Concept of Salvation in Isaiah and Its Application to African Christian Theology

This paper discusses how, among the Old Testament prophets, Isaiah is designated as the son of Amoz. The content of his message focused on sin and salvation. According to the prophet Isaiah, as a result of the sin of the people of Israel and Judah, the judgment of Yahweh over them was inevitable. Nonetheless, their salvation shall come from the Lord. Isaiah’s message implies that spiritual redemption and physical deliverance from their enemies. It portends that salvation and redemption go hand in hand. In Africa, because of the colonial experience of different nations, as well as the current economic distress, the message of salvation (spiritual) cannot be applied to the Africans when removed from liberation (physical). African Christian theology must identify both the spiritual and physical needs of Africans. This is because it would seem that the Christianity that came through the western missionaries has ended up in another form of slavery for Africans. The poor are still being oppressed and marginalized by the rich, politics still remains a dirty game, corruption is still the order of the day, and Africans still need liberation from the power of sin and socio-political liberty. This paper argues that for the message of salvation to be applied to African Christian theology, it must not only concentrate on the spiritual life of the people, but also their physical life. Accordingly, salvation must also mean liberation from shackles of poverty, marginalisation, and such negative trends. This is the thrust of this Isaiah’s concept of salvation to African Christian theology.