Britt authors book about Aladura Church

Furman University Asian studies and religion professor Samuel Irving Britt has authored a book about the Liberian Aladura Church.

The Children of Salvation: Ritual Struggle in a Liberian Aladura Church offers an understanding of Liberian spirituality, the Aladura’s ritual struggle in the cultural order, and the hope for restoration in a war-torn community. The book is published by The University of South Carolina Press.

Founded in West Nigeria in the early twentieth century, the Aladura Church combines traditional Christian liturgy, a theology of the Spirit, and creative ritual strategies and social practices. The church has expanded to nearly one million adherents worldwide. Aladura faith practices emphasize the role of the prophet-healer who embodies virtue (spiritual power) and guides the faithful along a journey of ritual struggle toward salvation.

Through the study of St. Peter’s United Church of the Lord, an Aladura community in the Republic of Liberia, Britt explores the relationship between worldview and ritual action in the church as well as the influence of Nigerian and Liberian traditions in shaping its character. The book provides the first in-depth study of an African Initiated Church in Liberia.

Britt is the Gordon Poteat Professor of Asian Studies and Religion and chair of the Department of Religion at Furman University. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Furman University and advanced degrees from Southeastern Baptist Seminary, Harvard Divinity School and University of Virginia.

More information about The Children of Salvation may be found here. Samuel Britt may be reached at 864-294-3518, or at this address sam.britt@furman.edu.