OPEN ACCESS JOURNALS
Many of us who live on the African continent struggle to find access to good sources for our studies, even those of us who have access to one of the better academic (university or seminary) libraries. So to help all of us out, we’ve compiled a list of open access (or partially open access) journals that are pertinent to our studies. (“Open Access” means legally free PDF files are available.)
First, here are four sites that list a wealth of of journals concerned with Africa, many of which (not all) are open access (note well that many of the journals listed pertain to fields beyond the scope of theological education):
- AJOL (African Journals Online), https://www.ajol.info/
- AOSIS, https://aosis.co.za/
- UNISA Press Journals, https://upjournals.co.za/
Next, here are specific journals of which all theological libraries and institutions in Africa should be aware (listed alphabetically):
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Africa Journal of Evangelical Theology (AJET)
The first 34 volumes (1990–2015) of this journal have been made available.
Vols. 1-8 (1982-1989)
Vols. 9-20 (1990-2001)
Vols. 21-30 (2002-2011)
Vols. 31- (2012-2015)
NB: For more recent issues (2016–present), you will have to visit a library that has paper copies of the journals. -
BOTSA: Bulletin for Old Testament Studies in Africa
Edited by Professor Knut Holter, this was published from 1996–2006; from 1996–1999 it had been entitled Newsletter on African Old Testament Scholarship -
E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies (ERATS)
Published monthly online from Ghana, ERATS publishes research articles and book reviews in the field of Religious and Theological Studies pertaining to: African Traditional Religion, Biblical Interpretation, Biblical Translation Studies, Christian Education, Church History, Church and Society, Comparative Study of Religions, Ecocriticism, Ethics, History and Mission, Inter-religious Dialogue, New Testament, Old Testament, Pentecostal Studies, Theology, Wisdom Literature. -
Impact: Journal of Transformation
Published by Africa International University in Nairobi -
Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development (JASSD)
Published in Nigeria.) Many of the articles published by JASSD are well beyond the scope of the concerns of this group; many articles, however, are pertinent to African Christian theology in either theory or praxis. -
Missionalia: Southern African Journal of Missiology
Note that only issues from 2013–present, starting with vol. 41, are available online. -
ShahidiHub International Journal of Theology & Religious Studies
Published in Kenya; ACTEA’s executive director, David Tarus, is on the editorial board.
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Transform: A Journal of Biblical, Theological, and Practical Studies in the Wesleyan tradition
Published jointly by a group of 15 Wesleyan institutions in Burundi, Eswatini, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
TRADITIONAL JOURNALS
(for purchase by subscription)
Finally, these are some select journals to which every theological library in Africa should subscribe:
- Journal of African Christian Thought
Published by Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission & Culture in Ghana; founded by Kwame Bediako and Gillian Bediako; only available in paper hardcopy. More information … - Journal of Religion in Africa
Published by Brill; founded by Andrew F. Walls; currently edited by Elias Kifon Bongmba; available in paper hardcopy and/or in digital format; also available digitally through JSTOR. More information …