Ghanaian Christian Understanding Of The Concept Of Enemy With Reference To Psalm 35:1 - 10: A Case Study Of Some Selected Churches Under The Neo-Prophetic Strand Of Ghanaian Christianity

Abstract

This research was conducted to examine the understanding of the concept of enemy in Ghanaian Christianity with reference to Psalm 35:1 - 10: A case study of some selected churches under the Neo-Prophetic Strand of Ghanaian Christianity. The qualitative research method was used in this work. The setting for this research was the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study involved ten (10) churches with seventy-seven respondents; seven (7) church founders and/or leaders and seventy (70) members. Radio presentations of some preachers under this strand were also monitored and used in the research. The question that guided this research was how does the understanding of the concept of enemy by members of the Neo-Prophetic Strand of Ghanaian Christianity influence how they handle them? It was found that the Neo-Prophetic strand of Ghanaian Christianity consider the enemy to be physical, spiritual and both physical and spiritual. They believe that the enemies of Christians ranges from the world (devil), members of one’s family, people outside the family and one’s own self. Some think that physical enemies should be treated with common sense to avoid physical confrontation whiles the spiritual enemy with prayer and “akwankyere” (direction) and others believe that all enemies should be treated kindly. They place much emphasis on the activities of witchcraft, traditional priests (fetish priest) “mallams” and African primal world view.They also believe that Jesus’ message of loving one’s enemy does not contradict with the use of the imprecatory Psalms.It was therefore recommended that further studies should be conducted to ascertain the impact of the understanding of the imprecatory psalms by Christians on their spiritual and social life.