Abstract
Allan H. Anderson has done extensive research about Pentecostalism as a global phenomenon, his work is well situated in the phenomenology of religion which is regarded as a useful conceptual framework in Pentecostal research. The study is conducted in the form of a comparative literature study and draws from literature on the phenomenon of Pentecostalism in the work of Allan H. Anderson to have a critical understanding of the prosperity gospel and how it impacts current conversations on the commercialisation of religion in Pentecostalism. The World Council of Churches (WCC) regards the emergence of strong Pentecostal and charismatic movements from different localities as one of the most noteworthy characteristics of world Christianity today – calling it a shift to the centre of gravity of Christianity. Due to the influence of the commercialising of religion on Pentecostalism, this centre is threatened but it can also be an opportunity for mission and transformation. The study illustrates how the commercialising of religion has become a part of Christianity, how it has been clothed and shipped by missionaries from the European and North American context into the Two-Thirds world. The vision of the early church is to be holy, while the vision of the early Pentecostal movement is to restore New Testament Christianity that can assist Pentecostals today to have a balanced view of the commercialisation of religion that embraces both individual and social holiness that is faithful witnesses of the mission Dei and bring transformation in society.
Highlights
The World Council of Churches (WCC) regards the emergence of strong Pentecostal and charismatic movements from different localities as one of the most noteworthy characteristics of world Christianity today, calling it a shift from the centre of gravity of Christianity (WCC, 2013:51)
Pentecostals were regarded as voices from the margins, but according to the Together Towards Life (TTL) document of the WCC, a new understanding is developing about contributions from those
In his reflection on the ecumenical nature of Pentecostalism, Conradie (2018) observes that the TTL reflects the influence of Pentecostal themes on ecumenical mission themes. He states that “the modern ecumenical movement emerged primarily amongst so-called mainline churches while the modern Pentecostal movement emerged from the margins of ecclesial and political power”. This is in line with the WCC (2013:51) statement that ‘mission’ was understood in the past as a movement taking place from the centre to the margins, from the privileged to the marginalised, but people from the margins are claiming their key role as agents of mission and affirming mission as transformation
Summary
The World Council of Churches (WCC) regards the emergence of strong Pentecostal and charismatic movements from different localities as one of the most noteworthy characteristics of world Christianity today, calling it a shift from the centre of gravity of Christianity (WCC, 2013:51). The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) conducted an investigation into the commercialisation of religion and abuse of people’s belief systems In their report, they pointed out that some pastors from Pentecostal and charismatic churches instructed their members to eat grass and snakes, drink petrol, drive over them, and receive large amounts of money to guarantee a miracle and a blessing (Banda, 2017:5). Magezi and Banda (2017:3) state that African Pentecostal prophets proclaim that when people heed God’s voice and make financial and material contributions to them, their suffering will end, and blessings will flow The essence of this message is that when the prophet receives the money (seed), he will open the door that leads to God’s blessings, which is tantamount to abuse and the commercialisation of religion. The aim of this paper is to illustrate how Anderson’s phenomenological framework of Pentecostalism can assist us to have a view of the commercialisation of religion that takes critical notions into account, counter and correct any form of commercialisation of religion that dehumanises people and abuse their trust in God, and argues that Pentecostals can play key role in mission and transformation when incorporating the mission Dei and the marks of the church in their practises
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