Understanding African Mystical Powers in The Biblical Perspective: Among the Akamba Community of Kenya.
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Date
2003
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Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
In the contemporary society which is blessed with all sorts of technologies, science.
and medicine; it sounds unbearable to speak of mystical powers. Many people would
piously deny the existence of such a notion and call upon its burial. Those bound and
committed to different religious denominations and sects will, with certainty, offer an open
denial to the thought. leave alone mentioning it. Critical study reveals that, though many
African Christians refute this notion of mystical powers. it is still a life and strong among
many of their members, including African cities and religious circles in new forms and
formulas. Hence, unless it is thoroughly revisited holistically and in a positive manner, the
so called Christians in the African church will only live and remain at a nominal structural
standing, that is Christians by name. Hence, the real impact of the gospel; the living faith in
Christ will remain in total absentia.
In this study I am interested in examining critically the notion of mystical powers
as a pastoral issue among the Akamba community of Kenya in East Africa. For up to today
the Christian faith still battles with various issues of mystical powers. To achieve this I will
first present the general understanding of mystical powers in Africa. this will be followed
by mystical powers among the Kamba community. After, I will present the Biblical
understanding of mystical powers. This will be followed by a highlight on how we can
tackle this issue in a pastoral perspective. A general conclusion will serve to give my
personal stand on the understanding of mystical powers and how we can deal with them in
our pastoral contexts.
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Keywords
African, Mystical, Powers