Thomas Spear received his doctorate in history at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He has written histories of Zwangendaba's Ngoni, the Mijikenda (The Kaya Complex), eastern and central Kenya (Kenya's Past), The Swahili (with Derek Nurse); and the Meru and Arusha peoples of Tanzania (Mountain Farmers). Formerly at La Trobe University and Williams College, he is professor of history emeritus at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.Isaria N. Kimambo is a professor of history at the University of Dar es Salaam.

• Part 1 Introduction: toward the history of African Christianity, Thomas Spear; African theology and the search for the universal, Gregory H. Maddox. Part 2 Mission: Chaga religion and missionary Christianity on Kilimanjaro - the initial phase, 1893-1916, Anza A. Lema; the impact of Christianity among the Zaramo - a case study of Maneromango Lutheran Parish, Isaria N. Kimambo; they do the dictating and we must submit - the Africa Inland Mission in Maasailand, Richard Waller. Part 3 Conversion and popular evangelism: the creation of a Catholic Fipa society - conversion in Nkansi district, Ufipa, Kathleen R. Smythe; the church and Cigogo - Father Stephen Mlundi and Christianity in central Tanzania, Gregory H. Maddox. Part 4 Struggles for control: Kamba Christianity - from Africa Inland Church to African Brotherhood Church, David Sandgren; the making of an independent church - the case of the African Missionary Evangelical Church among the Meru of Tanzania, C.K. Omari; Bundu dia Kongo - a Kongolese self-styled fundamentalist movement, Ernest Wamba-dia-Wamba. Part 5 Charismatic prophecy and healing: the Church of the Holy Spirit - biblical beliefs and practices of the Arathi of Kenya, 1926-1950, Francis Kimani Githeya. Part 6 Protestant revival and popular Catholicism: the politics of popular Catholicism in Uganda, Ron Kassimir; the Marian faith healing ministry - an African expression of popular Catholicism in Tanzania, Christopher Comoro and John Sivalon; contending for the faith - spiritual revival and the Fellowship Church in Tanzania, Josiah R. Mlahagwa. Part 7 Christianity and society: family life, indigenous culture and Christianity in colonial Njombe, James Giblin.

"An important contribution to the field. Its emphasis on the examination of Christianity as a religious phenomenon is an important one, and one increasingly recognized as of central significance for an understanding of Africa's history and society."