Tite Tiénou, PhD

Professor of Theology and Culture; Dean Emeritus, The Tite Tiénou Chair of Global Theology and World Christianity
I have been involved in teaching at the graduate level in theological education since 1984. For me, understanding is the goal of education, or learning. In my teaching I endeavour to facilitate the quest for understanding because it is critical for Christians and servants of the Gospel of God.

Dr. Tite Tiénou and his wife Marie reside in Gurnee, Illinois. They are the parents of four adult children, two sons and two daughters, and grandparents to two granddaughters.  Marie is an avid gardener and Tite likes helping her. They enjoy traveling together and with their family. 

  • PhD Intercultural Studies and Master of Arts, Missiology (Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California)
  • Maîtrise en Théologie (Faculté Libre de Théologie Évangélique, Vaux-sur-Seine, France)
  • Bachelor of Science in Theology (Nyack Missionary College, Nyack, NY)

Expertise

Dr. Tiénou’s areas of expertise include global theologies, world Christianity, ethnicity, the link between race and theology, Christianity and Christian theology in Africa and the theology of Christian mission. He has an extensive publishing record in English and French.

  • “African Theological Advance,” two-year research funded by a grant from the Templeton Religion Trust and administered by the Nagel Institute for the Study of World Christianity of Calvin University. I served as co-director with Joel Carpenter (2019-2020)
  • “Christian Theology: African Realities and African Hope”, part of two-year research entitled “Christianity and Social Change in Contemporary Africa”, funded by the John Templeton Foundation and administered by the Nagel Institute for the Study of World Christianity of Calvin University. I served as co-director with Joel Carpenter (2016-2017)
  • “African Theological Initiative” a $1,969 three-year grant to foster the building of a community of Christian scholars, researchers and trainers in sub-Saharan Africa, funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, housed and administered at the Faculté de Théologie Évangélique de l’Alliance Chrétienne in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. I served as director. (1993-1997)

Awards & Honours

  • Distinguished Service Award for exceptional vision, leadership, and influence in advancing theological education, The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, 2020
  • Chevalier de l’Ordre de l’Étalon, Burkina Faso, 2025

Recent Publications

Books 

  • Understanding Folk Religion: A Christian Response to Popular Beliefs and Practices, 25th anniversary Edition, co-authored with Paul G. Hiebert and R. Dan Shaw. Wipf and Stock, 2024.
  • Revisiter la théologie en Afrique contemporaine. Abidjan, Les Presses de la FATEAC, 2018.

Chapters in edited books

  • “The Contribution of Joel Carpenter to World Christianity” in Interconnectivity, Subversion, and Healing in World Christianity: Essays in Honor of Joel Carpenter, edited by Afe Adgame and Aminta Arrington. London and New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2023.
  • “Integrity of mission in light of the gospel in Africa: a perspective from an African in diaspora” in Religion and Social Reconstruction in Africa: Essays in Honor of Jesse Ndwiga Kanya Mugambi, edited by Elias Kifo Bongmba. London: Routledge, 2018. 

Articles

  • “Polycentric Christianity: Theological Multiplicity and Unity.” Lausanne Occasional Paper 80, 2024 (available online at: Lausanne.org).
  • “Church and Theological Education: Legacies of the African Theological Initiative,” Tenth Kwame Bediako Memorial Lecture in Journal of African Christian Thought, vol.21, No.2 (December 2018).

Affiliations & Memberships

  • Center for Early African Christianity