The Holy Spirit in African Christianity , livre ebook

In some Christian circles the Holy Spirit is associated primarily with extraordinary phenomena. In others, one might feel like the disciples in Ephesus who told Paul, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” This edited volume offers a valuable overview of African conversations for Westerners like me, while continuing those conversations with humility, diversity and probing discernment. This book offers a great model. Talking together about the Holy Spirit, while displaying the fruit of the Spirit, this book offers not only great insight but a terrific model for how that is done.
Michael Horton, PhD
J. Gresham Machen Professor of Theology,
Westminster Seminary California, USA
Infused with astute research and scholarship, this collection of essays exposes the perspective shifts, conflicting doctrines and misunderstood realities about the role and identity of the Holy Spirit in building the called-out community of God in Africa. The volume unpacks the African concept of Christian community and the role of the Holy Spirit in building that community with insights from the Pentecost event to our post-modern era. This book is not only one for theologians but provides insights for the many who are interested in deepening the holistic impact of their congregations on society through the works of the Holy Spirit.
John K. Jusu, PhD
Africa International University, Kenya
Regional Director for Anglophone Africa,
United World Mission/Overseas Council
We often hear these days that the center of Christianity is moving toward the Global South and Africa is a key player in that movement. This makes the study of African Christianity and African realities important – even more so when it is being done by Africans themselves and in their own context. The Africa Society of Evangelical Theology (ASET) was created to encourage research and sustained theological reflection on key issues facing Africa by and for African Christians and those working within African contexts. The volumes in this series constitute the best papers presented at the annual conferences of ASET and together they seek to fill this important gap in the literature of Christianity.
Titles in This Series
Christianity and Suffering: African Perspectives
2017 | 9781783683604
African Contextual Realities
2018 | 9781783684731
Governance and Christian Higher Education in the African Context
2019 | 9781783685455
God and Creation
2019 | 9781783687565
Forgiveness, Peacemaking, and Reconciliation
2020 | 9781839730535
Who Do You Say I Am? Christology in Africa
2021 | 9781839735325
For more information about the Africa Society of Evangelical Theology, see the Society’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/AfricaSocietyOfEvangelicalTheology/ or contact ASET at: asetsecretary@gmail.com

The Holy Spirit in African Christianity
General Editors
David K. Ngaruiya and Rodney L. Reed

© 2022 Africa Society of Evangelical Theology (ASET)
Published 2022 by Langham Global Library
An imprint of Langham Publishing
www.langhampublishing.org
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ISBNs:
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David K. Ngaruiya and Rodney L. Reed hereby assert their moral right to be identified as the Author of the General Editor’s part in the Work in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.
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ISBN: 978-1-83973-646-9
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Contents

Cover


Preface


Acknowledgments


1 An Inclusive Rereading of Acts 2:1–47 for Enhancing Partnership in Ministry


Abstract


Introduction


Background to the Book of Acts


The Church in Acts


The Nigerian Church


Inclusive Rereading of Acts 2:1–47 for Partnership in Ministry


Conclusion


Bibliography


2 A Comparison of the Montanists and the Pentecostals in Their Expression of the Reception of the Holy Spirit in Christian History


Abstract


Introduction


Pentecostalism and Charismata in the New Testament Church


The Montanist Movement


Pentecostal Movements


Expression of Pentecostalism in Ghana


A Synthesis


Conclusion


Bibliography


3 Augustine’s Articulation of the Holy Spirit


Abstract


Background


The Holy Spirit and Creation in the Genesis Account


The Holy Spirit in the Confessions of St. Augustine


Augustine’s Hermeneutic


Critiques of Augustine on the Holy Spirit


Relevance of Augustinian Pneumatology in Contemporary Africa


Conclusion


Bibliography


4 Pneumatology and Mission of the Church in Postmodern Africa


Abstract


Introduction


Pneumatology in History


Mission of the Church in a Postmodern Epoch


Construction of a Trinitarian Pneumatology


Ontological-Existential


Conclusion


Bibliography


5 In Dialogue with the Jehovah’s Witnesses


Abstract


The “Name” of the Holy Spirit


Doctrine of the Jehovah’s Witnesses


The “Opaqueness” Surrounding the Spirit


The Holy Spirit Has a Name


The Holy Spirit Has No Name


Conclusion


Bibliography


6 “I Banged the Table Three Times”


Abstract


Introduction: Narrative Methodology


Pneumatology and Gender


Pneumatology in African Instituted Churches


The Spirit and Women in the AINC


Being Set Free


Life-Giving Spirit


Conclusion


Bibliography


7 The Comparative Study of the Work of the Holy Spirit in African Independent Churches and African Pentecostal Churches in Botswana


Abstract


Introduction


The Current Scholarship of the Work of the Holy Spirit in APCs and in the AICs in Botswana


Historical Theology of the Work of the Holy Spirit in AICs and APCs


Perspective of the Holy Spirit in the AICs in Botswana


Perspective of the Work of the Holy Spirit in APCs in Botswana


Biblical Motif of the Work of the Holy Spirit


Comparative Analysis


Concluding Analysis


Bibliography


8 Perceptions of the Holy Spirit’s Deliverance in Ghanaian Charismatic Ministries


Abstract


Introduction


CM “Pneumatological Soteriology” in Context: Its Relationship with African Traditional Religion


CM Soteriology: Deliverance as a Key Aspect of Sanctification


Practical Salvation


Conclusions


Bibliography


List of Contributors


About Langham Partnership

Endnotes

Index
Preface
Doctrine unites, doctrine divides and doctrine reflects the rich diversity of Christian heritage and particularly so on issues related to the Holy Spirit. In African Christianity, the understanding and practices related to the Holy Spirit come in varied shades of a multicolored theological garment. In charismatic churches, the Holy Spirit working is emphasized in bold and flamboyant shades. Mainstream churches in this regard also emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit but with more subdued shades though with regular confession that includes the Holy Spirit. Among various African indigenous churches, the Holy Spirit receives much emphasis in colors that stretch the entire spectrum. Nevertheless, regardless of denominational, cultural or theological heritage, virtually all African Christians include the Holy Spirit in their regular confessions.
The church of Jesus Christ has, over the centuries, been plagued by misunderstandings and controversies regarding the Holy Spirit. In some situations, the Holy Spirit has been used to mask the work of false prophets who as Christ pointed out “perform miracles,” “drive out demons” and “prophesy” (Matt 7:22). Rather than be deified in reference as a fully divine person, the Holy Spirit is often objectified as a force that is impersonal, inanimate and vague. In its rise, Pentecostalism has also ignited an ongoing debate regarding infilling of the Holy Spirit, his indwelling