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I am Mika Vähäkangas, professor in mission studies and ecumenics.
I begun as a systematic theologian and an Africanist at the University of Helsinki. African Christian Theology became my major field of interest, especially during a year of studies at the Lutheran Theological College Makumira in Tanzania. However, it was only when studying and researching a year in Rome, at Pontificia Università Gregoriana, that I could devote myself to mission studies.
After defending the doctoral dissertation I returned to teach at Makumira, and the college had meanwhile got a university status. After six years at Makumira (and a year in between teaching in Helsinki) I returned to Helsinki University to launch the lecturership in missiology.
I have served in my present position in Lund since August 2009.
At the moment I serve as the president of the International Association of Mission Studies.
Research
Thesis projects
Present projects
Completed projects
- Interpreting African Christianity: Anthropology and Theology in Dialogue (research leader)
- Looking for Wholeness in an Enchanted World: Healing, Prosperity and Ritual Action in African Charismatic/Pentecostal Churches (research leader)
- Theological and Philosophical Responses to Syncretism (research leader)
About the research
My systematic theological doctoral dissertation to Helsinki University was on Tanzanian-born Catholic theologian Charles Nyamiti’s fundamental theology. It analyses how he attempts to combine African traditions with Neo-Scholasticism.
My approach has gradually been widening towards more empirical questions, too. I have been widening my approach to more empirical questions and begun to seek additional inspiration from cultural studies, like in my book Between Ghambageu and Jesus. During the four years in Helsinki, leading “Construction of African Christian Identity as a Dialogue between the Local and the Global” research project was one of the most inspiring tasks. The project brought together three universities, several branches of theology as well as cultural anthropology. See the project website http://web.abo.fi/fak/tf/kyrkhist/ACI/
After moving to Lund the similar interest has continued in the form of leading Nordic Workshops “Interpreting African Christianity: Anthropology and Theology in Dialogue” (http://project.sol.lu.se/iac) and the present "Looking for Wholeness in an Enchanted World: Healing, Prosperity and Ritual Action in African Charismatic/Pentecostal Churches" that runs from 2012 through 2016. At present, on the empirical side, I am involved in studying Babu wa Loliondo, a Tanzanian Christian healer immensely popular in 2011 and on the theological side I work on issues of contextualization and religious hybridity.
Publications
Books (3)
- Vähäkangas, M. (accepted/in press). Context, Plurality, and Truth : Theology in World Christianities. Missional Church, Public Theology, World Christianity Series.. Pickwick Publications.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2008). Between Ghambageu and Jesus: The Encounter between Sonjo Traditional Leaders and Missionary Christianity. Studia missiologica et oecumenica fennica, 61. Luther-Agricola Society.
- Vähäkangas, M. (1999). In Search of Foundations for African Catholicism, Charles Nyamiti’s Theological Methodology. Studies in Christian Mission, 23. Brill Academic Publishers.
Editorships (6)
- Fridlund, P. & Vähäkangas, M. (2017). (Eds.) Theological and Philosophical Responses to Syncretism : Beyond the Mirage of Pure Religion. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Ahonen, T., Komulainen, J. & Vähäkangas, M. (2013). (Eds.) Opin poluilla, Juhlakirja Miikka Ruokasen täyttäessä 60 vuotta. Suomalaisen teologisen kirjallisuusseuran julkaisuja, 275. Suomalainen teologinen kirjallisuusseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2011). (Eds.) Challenging Mission Studies: Crossing Borders in Academia. Swedish Missiological Themes, 99. Swedish Institute of Mission Research.
- Komulainen, J. & Vähäkangas, M. (2009). (Eds.) Luterilaisen Suomen loppu? Kirkko ja monet uskonnot. Edita.
- Vähäkangas, M. & Kyomo, A. A. (2003). (Eds.) Charismatic Renewal in Africa: A Challenge for African Christianity. African Christianity Series. Acton Publishers.
- Mugambi, J. & Vähäkangas, M. (2001). (Eds.) Christian Theology and Environmental Responsibility. African Christianity Series. Acton Publishers.
Articles (27)
- Vähäkangas, M. (2017). Islamophobia in Europe as a Theological Failure. Muslim-Christian Encounter, 10, 27-59.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2016). Can the Study of Mission Become Postcolonial? : On Mission Studies in Today's World. Ortodoksia, 56, 39-64. Ortodoksisten pappien liitto.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2016). Negotiating Religious Traditions : Babu wa Loliondo’s Theology of Healing. Exchange, 45, 269-297. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2016). The Grandpa’s Cup : A Tanzanian Healing Ritual as a Temporary Interreligious Platform. Suomen Antropologi, 41, 14-28. Finnish Anthropological Society.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2015). Babu wa Loliondo : Healing the Tensions between the Tanzanian Worlds. Journal of Religion in Africa, 45, 3-36. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2015). Nya vindar i missionsteologin : En analys av tre missionsdokument. Dansk tidsskrift for teologi og kirke, 42, 262-276. Menighedsfakultet Aarhus.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2015). The Economy and Money in Three Recent Mission Documents. International Review of Mission, 104, 292-301. The Commission on World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2015). The Prosperity Gospel in the African Diaspora: Unethical Theology or Gospel in Context?. Exchange, 44, 353-380. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Singh, D. E. & Vähäkangas, M. (2014). Guest editorial. Mission Studies, 31, 135-137. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2014). Christianity as Globalization. orizonturi teologice, 24-37.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2014). The International Association for Mission Studies (IAMS). Swedish Missiological Themes, 102, 49-59. Swedish Institute of Mission Research.
- Vähäkangas, M. & Svartvik, J. (2014). Mission Studies and Related Disciplines at Lund University. Swedish Missiological Themes, 102, 11-19. Swedish Institute of Mission Research.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2013). Gender, Narratives and Religious Competition among the Sonjo of Tanzania. Missionalia, 41, 66-89. SAMS.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2012). Har det andliga en samhällelig betydelse? Laestadius' tidiga predikningar i sin koloniala kontext. Svensk Teologisk Kvartalskrift, 88, 145-154. Gleerups Utbildning AB.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2010). Globaali kristinusko ja kirkkojen tulevaisuus Suomessa. Futura, 29, 25-36. Tulevaisuuden tutkimuksen seura ry. - Sällskapet för framtidsstudier rf..
- Vähäkangas, M. (2010). Mission Studies, Syncretism and the Limits of Christianity during the Time of the Heretical Imperative. Swedish Missiological Themes, 98, 7-22. Swedish Institute of Mission Research.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2010). Modelling Contextualization in Theology. Swedish Missiological Themes, 98, 279-306. Swedish Institute of Mission Research.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2009). Eurooppa Etelän kristinuskon lähetyskenttänä. Lähetysteologinen aikakauskirja/Journal of Mission Theology, 11, 5-22. Kirkon lähetystyön keskus.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2008). Ghambageu Encounters Jesus in Sonjo Mythology: Syncretism as African Rational Action. Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 76, 111-137. American Academy of Religion.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2007). Synkretismi ja kontekstualisaatio Afrikassa. Lähetysteologinen aikakauskirja/Journal of Mission Theology, 9, 33-44. Kirkon lähetystyön keskus.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2006). Missiology in Finland. Swedish Missiological Themes, 94, 435-446. Swedish Institute of Mission Research.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2004). Ecclesiastic Self-Discipline Based on Christian Growth in Conformity of Christ. Africa Theological Journal, 27, 3-33. Makumira University College.
- Hautala, J. & Vähäkangas, M. (2002). Yhteinen usko – yhteinen tehtävä. Suomen Lähetysseuran perustedokumentin arviointia. Teologinen Aikakauskirja, 107, 442-450. Teologinen julkaisuseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2000). African Approaches to the Trinity. Africa Theological Journal, 23, 33-50. Makumira University College.
- Vähäkangas, M. (1998). Trinitarian Processions as Ancestral Relationships in Charles Nyamiti’s Theology: A European Lutheran Critique. Swedish Missiological Themes, 86, 251-263. Swedish Institute of Mission Research.
- Vähäkangas, M. (1998). Vatikaanin asiakirja "Kristinusko ja uskonnot". Teologinen Aikakauskirja, 103, 107-111. Teologinen julkaisuseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (1997). Trinitarian Processions as Ancestral Relationships in Charles Nyamiti’s Theology: A European Lutheran Critique. Revue Africaine de Theologie, 21, 61-75.
Book chapters (37)
- Vähäkangas, M. (accepted/in press). How to Respect the Religious Quasi-Other? : Methodological Considerations on Studying the Kimbanguist Doctrine of Incarnation. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (accepted/in press). Mission, Money and Power. Oxford University Press (OUP).
- Vähäkangas, M. (accepted/in press). World Christianity as Post-colonializing of Theology. In Bergmann, S. & Vähäkangas, M. (Eds.) Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies. Routledge.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2018). Bible Study: Jacob Reconciled with Esau. In Andrée, U., Diehl, A.-K. & Simon, B. (Eds.) (pp. 90-94). Missionshilfe Verlag.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2018). Postcolonial Positions : Jesse N.K. Mugambi and the Christian Responsibility in the Socio-Political Sphere. In Bongmba, E. K. (Ed.) (pp. 98-107). Routledge.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2018). Theo-logical Positions vis-à-vis Syncretism. In Fridlund, P. & Vähäkangas, M. (Eds.) Philosophy of religion. World religions (pp. 68-87), 7. Brill.
- Vähäkangas, M. & Fridlund, P. (2017). Introduction. In Fridlund, P. & Vähäkangas, M. (Eds.) (pp. 1-8). Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2016). Eld och vatten : Passar karismatisk kristendom och lutherdom ihop?. In Inkala, A.-K. & Komulainen, J. (Eds.) (pp. 147-166). Fontana media.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2016). Mission and Money : Mapping the Field. In Auvinen-Pöntinen, M.-A. & Jörgensen, J. A. (Eds.) Theology and Mission in World Christianity (pp. 180-191), 1. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2016). Tuli ja vesi : Sopivatko karismaattisuus ja luterilaisuus yhteen?. In Inkala, A.-K. & Komulainen, J. (Eds.) (pp. 149-168). Kirjapaja.
- Vähäkangas, M. & Vähäkangas, A. (2015). Uskonnolliset yhteisöt - kehityksen jarru vai mahdollisuus?. In Vuola, E. (Ed.) (pp. 124-143), Tietolipas 249. Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2014). Interreligious and Interchurch Debates : Open Questions for the 21st Century. In Pierce, A. & Schuegraf, O. (Eds.) (pp. 51-67), 99. Evangelische Verlagsanstalt.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2014). Om mig, den andre och mig i den andre : med Weber och Lévy-Bruhl på besök hos en tanzanisk helare. In Rahm, H. (Ed.) Årsbok (pp. 158-173). Vetenskapssocieteten i Lund.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2014). Our Mission: Development : Comparative Perspectives on Development - David Livingstone and Finland's Development Policy Programme 2012. In Sundnes Drønen, T. (Eds.) (pp. 57-73), Bible and Theology in Africa, vol. 20. Peter Lang Publishing Group.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2014). What Makes African Christianity African?. In Mugambi, J. N. & Cornelli, E. M. (Eds.) (pp. 273-296). Acton Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2013). Laestadiuksen varhaiset saarnat postkoloniaalisessa luennassa. In Ahonen, T., Komulainen, J. & Vähäkangas, M. (Eds.) (pp. 25-46). Suomalainen teologinen kirjallisuusseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2013). Uskonnot, usko ja synkretismi. In Pöntinen, M.-A. (Eds.) (pp. 80-87). Suomen Lähetysseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2012). Church-State Relations in Theology of Reconstruction. In Mwase, I. M. & Kamaara, E. K. (Eds.) (pp. 245-260). Acton Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M., Cöster, H., Gjerris, M., Njå, Å., Engdahl, H. S. & Annala, P. (2012). Nordic Theologies. In Conradie, E. M. (Ed.) (pp. 145-172). LIT Verlag.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2011). "Kiinni märkään saippuapalaan": Globaali karismaattisuus kirkkohistorian tutkimuskohteena. In Antila, J. O. & Laine, E. M. (Eds.) (pp. 293-306), Finska kyrkohistoriska samfundets handlingar 215. Societas Historiae Ecclesiasticae Fennica.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2011). Etelän kristinusko haasteena teologialle. In Ikonen, T. (Ed.) (pp. 159-178). University of Helsinki, department of practical theology.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2010). Missiologiaa suomalaisittain. In Jalagin, S., Löytty, O. & Salakka, M. (Eds.) (pp. 331-358). Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2010). Pyhä yli kulttuurirajojen. In Pruuki, H. (Ed.) (pp. 52-67). Suomen Lähetysseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2010). The Future of Missiologies. In Mortensen, V. & Østerlund Nielsen, A. (Eds.) (pp. 217-229). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co..
- Vähäkangas, M. (2009). Maailmanlaajuinen kristinusko. In Komulainen, J. & Vähäkangas, M. (Eds.) (pp. 90-121). Edita.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2009). Millainen kirkko viettää jumalanpalvelusta Suomessa vuonna 2028?. In Salminen, J. (Ed.) (pp. 202-219), Suomalaisen Teologisen Kirjallisuusseuran julkaisuja 263. Suomalainen teologinen kirjallisuusseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2006). Inculturation and Theological Method in the Work of Charles Nyamiti. In Antonio, E. P. (Ed.) (pp. 77-95), Society and Politics in Africa 14. Peter Lang Publishing Group.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2006). Mission of the Church and Missionary Responsibility. In Mchami, R. E. & Simon, B. (Eds.) (pp. 7-21). Acton Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2006). Trickster-God Ghambageu and Sonjo Resistance to Christian Mission. In Harjula, L. & Ylänkö, M. (Eds.) (pp. 1-15), Studia Orientalia 103. The Finnish Oriental Society.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2004). Afrikkalainen teologia länsimaisen kulttuurin puristuksissa. In Ahonen, T. & Komulainen, J. (Eds.) (pp. 108-145). Gaudeamus, Helsinki.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2004). Between the Ideal and the Real: Family in the African Synod. In Kyomo, A. A. & Selvam, S. G. (Eds.) (pp. 148-162). Acton Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2003). Christian Partnership as an Ideal in Inter-Church Cooperation. In Mortensen, V. (Ed.) (pp. 163-202), Occasional papers 6. Centre for Multireligious Studies, University of Aarhus.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2003). Doctrinal Relationship between Protestantism and Charismatic Renewal. In Vähäkangas, M. & Kyomo, A. A. (Eds.) (pp. 66-90). Acton Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2003). Notes on a Post-Colonial Approach to African Church History. In Thiesbonenkamp, J. & Cochois, H. (Eds.) (pp. 476-488). Erlanger Verlag für Mission und Ökumene.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2002). African Approaches to the Trinity. In Katongole, E. (Ed.) (pp. 69-83). University of Scranton Press.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2002). Pyhä Henki ja pahat henget: Tansanian luterilaisten suhtautuminen perinteiseen parantamiseen. In Pöntinen, M. (Eds.) (pp. 120-141). Suomen Lähetysseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2001). Environmental Crisis in Light of the Cross. In Mugambi, J. & Vähäkangas, M. (Eds.) (pp. 112-130). Acton Publishers.
Reviews (28)
- Vähäkangas, M. (accepted/in press). Kristin Johnston Largen, Finding God among Our Neighbors: An Interfaith Systematic Theology. Mission Studies, 36, 168-169. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2018). Emmanuel Katongole, The Journey of Reconciliation: Groaning for a New Creation in Africa. Teologinen Aikakauskirja, 123, 366-367. Teologinen julkaisuseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2018). Kenneth R. Ross, J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu and Todd M. Johnson, eds., Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mission Studies, 35, 177-178. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2017). Recension av: Nehemia Moshi, Stretching the Drum Skin. An Analysis of Power Relations in Leadership Development and Succession in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania – Northern Diocese 1942-1993. Svensk Teologisk Kvartalskrift, 92, 188-189. Gleerups Utbildning AB.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2016). From Historical to Critical Post-Colonial Theology : The Contribution of John S. Mbiti and Jesse N.K. Mugambi. Written by Robert S. Heaney. Exchange, 45, 309-312. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2016). Witchcraft, Demons and Deliverance : A Global Conversation on an Intercultural Challenge. Written by Claudia Währisch-Oblau and Henning Wroggemann (eds.). Exchange, 45, 299-301. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2012). How God Became African: African spirituality and Western secular thought. African Affairs, 111, 339-340. Oxford University Press.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2012). Prophetic Dialogue: Reflections on Christian Mission Today by Stephen B. Bevans and Roger P. Schroeder. International Bulletin of Missionary Research, 36, 48-48. Overseas Ministries Study Center.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2010). Beyond Christendom: Globalization, African Migration, and the Transformation of the West. By Jehu J. Hanciles. Mission Studies, 27, 119-120. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2010). Christianity, Politics and Public Life in Kenya. By Paul Gifford. Mission Studies, 27, 271-272. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2010). Ilkka Halava, Matti Helin & Pontus Salmi, Kansankirkon myytinmurtajat. Teologinen Aikakauskirja, 115, 89-90. Teologinen julkaisuseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2010). Lennart Henriksson, A Journey with Status Confessionis: Analysis of an Apartheid Related Conflict between the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, 1982-1998. Swedish Missiological Themes, 98, 127-129. Swedish Institute of Mission Research.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2010). Seeking Peace in Africa: Stories from African Peacemakers. Edited by Donald E. Miller, Scott Holland, Lon Fendall and Dean Johnson. Mission Studies, 27, 135-136. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2009). Tuomas Martikainen, Tuula Sakaranaho & Marko Juntunen (toim.), Islam Suomessa: Muslimit arjessa, mediassa ja yhteiskunnassa. Teologinen Aikakauskirja, 114, 623-625. Teologinen julkaisuseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2007). Manfred Ernst (ed.), Globalization and the Re-Shaping of Christianity in the Pacific Islands. Mission Studies, 24, 158-160. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2006). Fraternity in Christ: Building the Church as Family. Africa Theological Journal, 29, 69-71. Makumira University College.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2006). Martin Luther’s Message for us Today: A Perspective from the South. Africa Theological Journal, 29, 91-94. Makumira University College.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2001). Beyond Marx and Market: Outcomes of a Century of Economic Experimentation och Prosperity, Poverty and Pollution: Managing the Approaching Crisis. Africa Theological Journal, 24, 98-101. Makumira University College.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2000). Gud i funktion. Teologinen Aikakauskirja, 105, 260-261. Teologinen julkaisuseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2000). Jean-François Bayart, Stephen Ellis & Beatrice Hibou, The Criminalization of the State in Africa. Africa Theological Journal, 23, 107-110. Makumira University College.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2000). Missionary Enterprise in African Education: The Co-operation of Lutheran Missions in Natal, South Africa, 1912-1955: A Documentation. Mission Studies, 17, 292-293. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2000). Religion and Politics in Harare 1890-1980. Mission Studies, 17, 301-302. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2000). Sidama and Ethiopian: The Emergence of Mekane Yesus Church in Sidama. Mission Studies, 17, 289-291. Brill Academic Publishers.
- Vähäkangas, M. (2000). There is Only One God: A Social-Scientific and Theological Study of Popular Religion and Evangelisation in Sukumaland, Northwest Tanzania. Africa Theological Journal, 23, 74-75. Makumira University College.
- Vähäkangas, M. (1998). Juhani Lindgren, Lähetys 2001: lähetysstrategian näköaloja vuosituhannen vaihtuessa. Teologinen Aikakauskirja, 103, 262-263. Teologinen julkaisuseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (1998). Reinventing Christianity: African Theology Today. Teologinen Aikakauskirja, 103, 94-96. Teologinen julkaisuseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (1997). Towards an African Narrative Theology. Teologinen Aikakauskirja, 102, 84-84. Teologinen julkaisuseura.
- Vähäkangas, M. (1994). Moya: The Holy Spirit in an African Context. Teologinen Aikakauskirja, 99, 663-663. Teologinen julkaisuseura.
Articles in specialist publications and popular press (1)
Newspaper articles (1)
Supervision at Lund University (3)
- Olsson, H. (2016). Jesus for Zanzibar : Narratives of Pentecostal Belonging, Islam, and Nation. Dissertation.
- ENGBERG, A. (2016). Walking on the Pages of the Word of God : Self, Land, and Text Among Evangelical Volunteers in Jerusalem. Dissertation.
- Gehlin, S. (2016). Prospects for Theology in Peacebuilding : A Theological Analysis of the Just Peace Concept in the Textual Process towards an International Ecumenical Peace Declaration, World Council of Churches 2008-2011. Dissertation.
Research portal (Lund University)
Teaching
Print Oct. 17, 2019 of https://www.ctr.lu.se/en/about-us/staff/person/MikaVahakangas/
