“The revelation that Ethiopian Christianity possibly had links to Protestant Reformation is a game-changer for what is generally thought to be an exclusively European phenomenon,” Daniels wrote. “The admission that this cross-cultural global exchange between Africa and Europe shaped early Protestantism disrupts the narrative that the Reformation was solely the product of western civilization.”
The Rev. Iva Carruthers, general secretary of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, described Daniels’ scholarship as “brilliant” in a statement, noting his “extensive” writings will continue his teaching.
“Dr. Daniels was able to open the closed doors of truth that had long hidden the primary place of Africans in the history and development of Christianity,” she stated. “He has left us too soon. The world still needs to know more about the African presence in the Bible and the African influence on what we practice today as Christians.”
The consecration of Daniels, the former president of the COGIC Education Department, as a bishop was an unusual action by denominational leaders since he had not held a pastoral role.
“They recognized the significance of what he brought to the office,” said Williams. “It wasn’t because of what the office brought to him. It was because of what he brought to the office.”
This article originally appeared here.
