AbstractThis research assesses the use of scripture in tracts published in Swahili in East Africa. The use of tracts for the propagation of religion is introduced through the work of Tract Societies in Britain and the use of Christian tracts in overseas missions. Printing in Arabic and the propagation of Islam through tracts is surveyed. The historical use of tracts by Christians and Muslims in East Africa, and Swahili as a religious language, are examined. In 2000 and 2001, Christian and Muslim tracts in Swahili were purchased from particular locations in Kenya and Tanzania. Of these, sixteen tracts, eight by Christians and eight by Muslims, were selected. The tracts use passages from the Bible and/or the Qur’an mainly for outreach purposes. They are described and analysed and scriptures within them recorded. Eighteen Biblical and Qur’anic passages that appeared in more than one tract were chosen. These scriptures, together with the interpretations of them within the tracts, are translated, presented thematically, analysed and compared. The research found differences between Christian and Muslim use of the passages, noting that the approach of most tracts is polemical, thus raising concerns that they may increase misunderstandings between Christians and Muslims in East Africa.

AbstractThe need of cultural interaction in Apologetics: Acts 17:16–32 as explanatory statement. Acceptance of a secular-versus-holy dualism holds Christianity in a cultural prison and has the effect that the Christian faith becomes a compartmentalised entity, which oddly fits in a secular context, because it does not have an impact outside the church building. To be culturally effective in its communication, apologetics should make use of images and expressions that is known by the people it aims to reach. Interacting with their worldviews in a narrative form is also much more subtle than the use of an argumentative style of reasoning that emphasise differences. Arts have a particular ability to shape and analyse culture. Films can help Christian apologists to understand culture as well as to be in a better position to engage meaningfully with the world. In a similar way to which Paul made use of pagan insights and narratives in Acts 17, the themes of contemporary movies can be used by apologists. Paul’s strategy was not the syncretistic reconciliation of two incompatible worldviews, but subversion through giving Greek ideas new meaning by placing them in a monotheistic context. When apologetics makes use of stories saturated with Christian themes, it can address secular imagination with an understanding of God and the world which they would not otherwise have considered.