Ghanaian Pentecostal Research Articles

Consented Abuses? Analyzing Perspectives of Christian Young Adults Regarding Human Rights Concerns in Neo-Pentecostal Deliverance Practices in Ghana

Deliverance practices have become central features of Ghanaian Pentecostalism. However, there have been human rights concerns and abuse of power regarding some of these practices. Consequently, using the theory of consumer religion, this article sought to analyze perspectives of some Christian young adults regarding some of these concerns. Findings suggest that deliverance is considered as a solution to existential problems and human rights concerns are not priorities that deliverance seekers, who are in search of solutions, are concerned about once their needs are met. The article concludes that, with popular knowledge of abuses in some of these deliverance practices and with no guarantee that one would not be abused, deliverance seekers vesting unfettered trust in pastor-prophets in these practices renders them as consenting by default to some of the abuses they are subjected to. The article contributes to the discourse on neo-Pentecostal deliverance practices in contemporary Ghana.

‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse’: The tithe and sustainable development in Ghanaian Pentecostalism

‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse’: The tithe and sustainable development in Ghanaian Pentecostalism

Grammatical Insights and Spiritual Significance: A Morpho-Syntactic Analysis of Matthew 8:1-4 and Its Implications on Testimony Practices in Ghanaian Pentecostal and Charismatic Congregations

Grammatical Insights and Spiritual Significance: A Morpho-Syntactic Analysis of Matthew 8:1-4 and Its Implications on Testimony Practices in Ghanaian Pentecostal and Charismatic Congregations

A Theological Critique of the Commodification of Religious Substances in Ghanaian Pentecostal–Charismatic Christianity

Abstract This article presents an empirical case study of the commodification of religious substances in a Ghanaian Pentecostal/charismatic church. The author argues that the primal goal of religion and the penchant for success and good health among Pentecostal-Charismatic Christians help in the easy commodification of religious substances by pastor-prophets. However, the commodification of religion or religious substances, the article argues, eschews godly values, beliefs, and practices that have implications for the faith and commitment of believers, their religious lives, and their commitment to the church and society.

How do Ghanaian Pentecostal Charismatic Christian university students experience well-being? – balancing the needs of self and others

ABSTRACT Conceptualisations of well-being show cultural variations. In Ghana, traditional culture emphasises collectivistic values. However, the growth of Pentecostal Charismatic Christianity has dispersed individualistic values, which may be even more pronounced in emerging adults. The aim of the current study was to explore how Ghanaian Pentecostal Charismatic Christian university students conceptualise well-being. Twelve participants belonging to different religious groups within Pentecostal Charismatic Christianity were interviewed. The interviews were then analysed with inductive thematic analysis. The results showed that the participants’ aspirations were situated in a social context with mutual dependence. They experienced well-being by contributing to family, friends, and society at large. However, at times there would be conflicts between their individual strivings and the wishes of others. Collectivistic and individualistic values seemed to have coexisted and interplayed, possibly with a stronger emphasis on traditional collectivistic values than those individualistic values transmitted through Pentecostal Charismatic Christianity.

African Traditional Oath-Swearing: An Evaluation from a Ghanaian Pentecostal Perspective

Although it has been acknowledged that the early European Christian missionaries to Africa have contributed significantly to the emergence and growth of Christianity on the continent, it is also obvious that the ethnocentric tendencies that accompanied their missionary zeal caused them to demonize many aspects of the African cultures. This demonization led to a long-standing debate among African Christians themselves on whether one can be truly African and truly Christian. Despite the fact that the situation seems to have improved greatly in contemporary times, one of the key areas of contention within African Christianity, which has persisted to date, is the chieftaincy institution. To the best of my knowledge however, not much has been researched in this field from Pentecostal perspectives. Using personal observations and participation in Christian Royal conferences as well as personal conversations with some Pentecostal church leaders and some royals in Ghana, this paper examines the functions of the traditional oath swearing for Christians who are chiefs. The paper argues that although, the oath swearing by itself is not inimical to Christian beliefs, Christians who swear oaths should be mindful of the deity invoked in the swearing process. The paper also recommends that to be able to transform unethical and unscriptural aspects of traditional practices and make disciples of all nations, Pentecostal Christians should not be ignorant of traditional practices within their communities. These include the traditional oath swearing, which is the focus of this paper. The paper is therefore an attempt to initiate an important dialogue among African Pentecostals, both scholars and practitioners, on the subject of Christianity and chieftaincy within contemporary times.

“Selling God”: Contemporary Ghanaian Pentecostal Christianity in the Marketplace

“Selling God”: Contemporary Ghanaian Pentecostal Christianity in the Marketplace

Centenary of Pentecostalism in Ghana (1917–2017): A case study of Christ Apostolic Church International

Centenary celebrations in every organisation are approached with joy and reflection of the past, present, impact on society and planning for the years ahead. The Christ Apostolic Church International (CACI), which is acknowledged by Ghanaian Pentecostals as the mother of Pentecostalism, celebrated its Centenary of Pentecostalism in 2017. Having come this far and being acknowledged as the pioneer of classical Pentecostalism in Ghana, it is very important that issues concerning the church, its leadership and impact on society are discussed and properly recorded for future reference. Although some Ghanaian Pentecostal scholars did their best to document some aspects of history of CACI, their focus was limited to the early history of the church and the ministry of Apostle Peter Newman Anim. This article contributes to the existing missional and historical literature on CACI by bringing on board some of the historical gaps. This article also discusses the miraculous dispensation in CACI, their leadership and administrative structure, their growth and challenges as well as their religio-social and economic impact in Ghana.

The fantastic fetus: the fetus as a super-citizen in Ghanaian Pentecostalism

ABSTRACTMiraculous pregnancies are perhaps the most ubiquitous miracles in Pentecostal spaces. Utilizing ethnographic data from a Pentecostal church in Accra, Ghana, this article explores the primacy that miraculous – or fantastic – fetuses play in these spaces. In particular, this article focuses on the rituals performances surrounding the fantastic fetus. Applying the category of citizenship – or the public performance of personhood – to these miraculous events illuminates that the fetus is the most privileged citizen, a super-citizen. While fantastic, the super-citizenship of the fetus has real implications on material, fleshy bodies. For example, reading these stories through a patriarchal model the super-citizenship of the fantastic fetus siphons off the citizenship of women, leaving women without an identifiable citizenship. However, this article challenges such a patriarchal reading and instead reads female agency in the fetal miracles. Ultimately, citizenship is birthed – or destroyed – by the miraculous infusion of fetuses into wombs.

Decolonising Western missionaries’ mission theology and practice in Ghanaian church history: A Pentecostal approach

The term missional is meant to refer fundamentally to the missio Dei, just as the term missionary does. Missiology is the systematic study of all aspects of mission. It encompasses the historical origin of the churches, their growth, successes and failures. It pays attention to the methodology and context for mission. Ghanaian church history gives us a clear picture of the massive developmental contribution the Western missionaries have made in the social, educational and economic life of Ghana. Although the Western missionaries did very well in meeting the social and economic needs of Ghanaians, they were, however, unable to make a significant and lasting impact on the religious level – mainly because they did not address the traditional worldview of Ghanaians – a worldview embedded in the belief in spirits. This therefore caused some African Christians to seek for an African identity as far as Christianity is concerned. In the light of the search for African Christian identity and mission theology, this article discusses how Pentecostalism has been used as a tool for decolonising Western missionaries’ mission theology and practice in the Ghanaian context. The article discusses Pentecostalism in Ghana, Western missional theology and practices in their missionary activities in Ghana, as well as Ghanaian Pentecostals’ approach to decolonisation of Western mission theology.

A missional study of the use of social media (Facebook) by some Ghanaian Pentecostal Pastors

Social media as a new phenomenon has become a tool used by many televangelists and pastors all over the world. It is against this background that this research sought to explore the Facebook activities of some Ghanaian Pentecostal pastors from a missional perspective. The article deals with the concept of social media, Facebook and its potential for mission purposes, the Facebook phenomenon among Ghanaians and how Ghanaian Pentecostal Pastors are using Facebook for missional purposes, as well as some of concerns on the negative uses of social media. The study revealed that Ghanaian pastors are followed by people from different religious and societal backgrounds. It has also offered the pastors and their congregations the opportunity to form relationships with a wide and diverse range of people without being bound by geographical space. Sosiale media as nuwe fenomeen het ‘n instrument geword wat deur meeste TV-evangeliste en pastore regoor die wêreld gebruik word. Dit is teen hierdie agtergrond dat die Facebookaktiwiteite van sommige Ghanese Pentekostale pastore vanuit ‘n missionale perspektief ondersoek word. In hierdie artikel word die volgende ondersoek: Die konsepte van sosiale media en Facebook, veral dan in terme van hulle potensiaal vir missionale doeleindes; die Facebookfenomeen, spesifiek onder die Ghanese; en die wyse waarop Ghanese Pentekostale pastore van Facebook gebruik maak vir missionale doeleindes. Die navorsing bevind dat Ghanese pastore deur mense van verskillende godsdienstige en sosiale agtergronde op sosiale media gevolg word. Dit bied aan pastore en hulle geloofsgemeenskappe die geleentheid om verhoudings met ‘n wye verskeidenheid mense te ontwikkel, sonder om deur die grense van geografiese gesitueerdheid beperk te word.

Hodological Care among Ghanaian Pentecostals: De-diasporization and Belonging in Transnational Religious Networks

The nexus between Pentecostalism and migration has been studied extensively and in divergent terms. One line of research has looked at churches founded by migrants as home away from home, helping migrants to settle in a new place and at the same time connecting them back to where they came from. Another strand has rather highlighted incorporation into a global Christendom and engagement in global spiritual warfare. Whereas the first line of research is often phrased in terms of diaspora and religion, the second one views Pentecostalism as producing globality on its own terms. With this article, we attempt to contribute to this discussion by asking how deterritorialized belonging is produced in daily Pentecostal practices. What is made present when a home is made absent? What kind of attentive practices create the presence of the Holy Spirit? In thinking with the notion of hodological care, we argue that Pentecostal churches founded by Ghanaian migrants in Southern Africa and Europe create belonging not to a “home” but to connections. They thereby produce forms of de-diasporization, which could be seen as belonging through disconnecting.

Bridging faith, languages and learning in London: a faith teacher reflects upon pedagogy in religious instruction classes

ABSTRACTIn this article, we examine a faith teacher's reflections on faith literacy teaching and learning and how they shaped his pedagogy in the context of Hindu/Saiva religious instruction classes for students of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage. The data are part of a larger multi-site three-year team ethnography of children's faith literacy learning in places of worship, religious education classes and homes across four ethno-linguistic communities in London (Bangladeshi Muslim, Polish Catholic, Ghanaian Pentecostal and Tamil Hindu/Saiva). In this article, we focus on one of the Hindu/Saiva faith teachers by combining an in-depth semi-structured interview with the teacher in question with participant observations and video-recordings of faith lessons. Drawing on the faith teacher's reflections, we identify the changes in the nature and scope of faith literacy learning across time and in the London diasporic setting and demonstrate how the faith teacher responded to them by adopting flexible language practices where English (the majority language) was used alongside Tamil (the community and devotional language) as a learning resource. The faith teacher's pedagogic approach emerged as a pragmatic and contextual response to the students’ diverse capabilities in class, with the purpose of making faith literacy learning accessible and relevant to their lives.

The ‘Evasive’ Spirit of Pentecostalism

The paper discusses the contribution of Peter Newman Anim to the development of Ghanaian indigenous Pentecostalism. It examines the theological implications of Anim’s spiritual experience and the subsequent outpouring of the Spirit upon his organisation against the backdrop of the debate surrounding Spirit baptism. The Pentecostal doctrine of Spirit baptism has generated lots of debate between Evangelicals and Pentecostals. While the one contends that the baptism is a once for all time conversion-initiative experience for the Church universal, the other thinks otherwise. This paper takes up the debate from a Ghanaian Pentecostal stable by appealing to the first pneumatic experience that occurred in a secluded village that ignited the Pentecostal fire nationally. This phenomenon occurred outside the expectant Anim’s group, thus raising incisive theological questions concerning the plausible context and condition for Spirit baptism. By means of historical analysis, critical examination, and practical illustration the paper attempts to evaluate the various positions on Spirit baptism.

A missional study of Ghanaian Pentecostal churches’ leadership and leadership formation

Church leadership plays an important and irreplaceable role in the planting and the configuration of the missional congregation. The key to the formation of missional communities is their leadership. In that regard, this article explores Classical Ghanaian Pentecostal Churches’ leadership and leadership formation from a missiological perspective. This was done through an exposition on their leadership system (structure). It was argued that Classical Ghanaian Pentecostal Churches’ leadership is based on the Fivefold Ministry (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher). These leadership functions were therefore discussed in the light of their missiological implication. The conclusion arrived at is that it is not enough to discover one’s spiritual gift or calling; these gifts should be developed and nurtured through mentoring and proper theological education, with the ultimate purpose being to participate in the Missio Dei.

The missional role of the Holy Spirit: Ghanaian Pentecostals’ view and practice

This article discusses the missional role of the Holy Spirit from a Ghanaian Pentecostal’s perspective. In doing this, trinitarian mission is used as the point of departure and it was narrowed down to the missional role of the Holy Spirit. The Ghanaian Pentecostals’ view about the baptism and the infilling of the Holy Spirit as well as their practices concerning the subject are discussed. The article concludes that there is no way that the church could achieve her call without the role of the Holy Spirit, to convict sinners of their sin and also to empower the church to proclaim the gospel.Die missionale werk van die Heilige Gees vanuit die teologie en praktyk van GhanesePinksterkerke. Hierdie artikel bespreek die missionale werk van die Heilige Gees vanuit die teologiese perspektief en praksis van die Pinksterkerke in Ghana. Die artikelvertrekpunt is ’n trinitariese benadering tot sending, en van daaruit word die rol en plek van die Heilige Gees in die sending van God bespreek. Die artikel gee ook aandag aan die siening omtrent die doop en die vervulling met die Heilige Gees onder Pinksterkerke in Ghana, asook aan kerklike praktyke wat uit hierdie teologiese standpunt spruit. Die artikel argumenteer dat die kerk net aan haar missionale roeping getrou kan wees op grond van die Heilige Gees se rol om sondaars van sonde en verlossing te oortuig, en die Gees se bemagtiging van gelowiges om die evangelie te verkondig deur die verskeidenheid gawes wat die Gees gee.

Pentecostalism, Witchdemonic Accusations, and Symbolic Violence in Ghana

The increasing numerical strength of Ghanaian pentecostalism and the movement’s involvement in filling in the socioeconomic vacuum in society means that the position of the pastor-prophet cannot be a neglected one. Yet, the extent to which human rights violations are involved in the activities of some of these pastor-prophets has raised some concerns. This article will focus on the often violent treatment of alleged witches during exorcism and explore how these challenge human rights development and implementation in Ghana. Bourdieu’s notion of habitus and symbolic violence will be applied to a discussion of human rights and Ghanaian popular deliverance-oriented pentecostal/charismatic ministries. I will argue that pentecostal/charismatic discourse on witchcraft fashions an ideological foundation for symbolic and actual violence against those accused of witchcraft.

‘Generational Curses’ and the ‘Four Horns’

African Pentecostals and Charismatics have come far with their faith in Christ and the Gospel. But it is an acknowledged fact that their primal orientations continue to influence their theologies and emphases. And this reality continues to generate a conflict between their past and present. In Ghana, Nicholas Duncan-Williams and Mensa Anamua Otabil have become examples of how African Pentecostals and Charismatics continue to respond to their primal religious heritage. Thus this paper seeks to show how Ghanaian Pentecostals and Charismatics continue to demonise their primal religious traditions, and at the same time use it to serve their purposes. This also confirms the timeless continuity and discontinuity with their primal past. Hence the sermons of Duncan-Williams on ‘Generational Curses’ and that of Otabil on ‘the Four Horns’ have been used to illustrate the point.

The role of the Holy Spirit in Ghanaian Pentecostal churches: A missiological study

This article discussed the role of the Holy Spirit in Ghanaian Pentecostal churches from a missiological perspective. In order to achieve the aim for the topic, the article focused on one of the major factors that led to the rise and popularity of Pentecostalism in Ghana; i.e. the concern of the indigenes about their worldview not being addressed by the Western missionaries which came to serve in Ghana. The article argued that, in the desire for Ghanaians to have their worldview addressed, they resorted to Pentecostalism – a movement first introduced into Ghana by the African Initiated Churches. It is also argued that, though one of the factors that have made Pentecostalism to be accepted by Ghanaians is how it has addressed their worldview; Ghanaian Pentecostal Churches are of the view that the role of the Holy Spirit is the major factor for this increase.

Coping with Evil in Ghanaian Pentecostalism

From songs, sermons and practices, this article examines the way Ghanaian Pentecostals address the question of evil and suffering. It approaches this from the perspective of common believers and leadership. The discussions reveal that there are multiple understandings, perceptions and interpretative tensions concerning how to cope with evil among Ghanaian Pentecostals. Whereas common believers approach it through what Opoku Onyinah calls ‘witchdemonology’, leadership considers this as inadequate. This is because common believers fail to understand the role of evil and suffering in human existence. As such they tend to promote the devil far above the Almighty God. According to leadership the presence of evil may not necessarily contradict God’s goodness and purpose. The paper concludes with some Biblical propositions in an attempt to resolve the apparent tension.