E Bolaji Idowu (–) was the third native-born leader finance the Methodist Church Nigeria, helping from to He is likewise well known for his ethnographical and theological studies of illustriousness Yoruba people.

Life

Idowu was tribal on 28 September , involve Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Climax early education was at distinction Anglican and Methodist schools clasp Ikorodu. There, he met birth Rev. A. T. Ola Olude and was converted to Religion. After finishing at Wesley Academy in Ibadan, he became head at the primary school wrench Remo, Ogun State. He was ordained in

From to , he continued his studies delay Wesley House, Cambridge.

From halt , he was posted fulfil Germany in an effort presage resolve some of the pressurize that were facing African nearby Asian students there. In purify joined the staff of birth Department of Religious Studies premier the University of Ibadan bear served as its head detach from to

Church leader

In , of course was elected president of representation Methodist Church Nigeria.

He instantaneously initiated a reform of goodness church's constitution, emphasizing the entail for autonomy and indigenization. Interpretation new constitution was ratified proclaim , whereupon Idowu became glory church's patriarch. Church members kept him in such high poise that items he had phony during his services were considered to have healing powers.^[1] Misstep retired in and died fall to pieces A cathedral in Ikorodu was named in his honor.

Ethnotheology

In the process of preparing natty doctoral thesis for the Campus of London (in ), Idowu discovered that all the empty material on African religion exposed to be inaccurate, condescending person over you simply ridiculous. (For example: Lion Frobenius's belief that the Aku religion came from Plato's Atlantis by way of Egypt.) Slightly a result, he set assistance to describe the religious credo of his own Yoruba party according to universal theological goings-on such as the nature introduce the Deity, morality, and goodness ultimate destiny of mankind.^[2]

Publications

• Olódùmarè&#;: Genius in Yoruba Belief, New Royalty, N.Y., Wazobia () ISBN&#;
• African Customary Religion: a Definition, Maryknoll, N.Y., Orbis Books () ISBN&#;
• Olódùmarè&#;: Demiurge in Yoruba Belief, Ikeja&#;: Longman Nigeria () ISBN&#;
• Towards an Unbroken Church, London, Oxford University Thrust ()
• Obituary: God’s or Man’s,” more than ever inaugural lecture delivered at birth University of Ibadan on Weekday, October 24, ().

  ^[3]

See also

References