Communicating Christ Momboli to the Lomwe People of Malawi.

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2005
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
The very year I joined Tangaza College 2001, I was challenged by the assertion my teacher of Christ°logy made. I quote: "the cultural and life experience of the people express what kind of saviour they need".' Immediately I reacted and said to myself, "surely this is my vocation in this college to find out the kind of saviour the Lomwe people of Malawi need." It is by knowing the type of saviour the people need that we can preach to them effectively. In trying to give an answer to this problem, I had an opportunity to link the two fields of theology and communication. Thanks to the Tangaza program of studies, which made it possible, some students should be able to specialise in communication, whether it be print or electronic media. Although some people are not yet convinced of the value of this combination of studies, I feel that communication and theology go hand in hand.2This is one of the points the essay is trying to put forward, especially the second and third chapters, as I attempt to find out the source and solutions to the already existing problem. Statement of the Problem Despite of being Christians, the Lomwe people of Malawi have not fully accepted Christ as their Saviour. They only believe Christ will bring them salvation at the end of time. Hence, they live in perpetual fear of witches and magicians. This has made them resort to Momboli, one they believe will bring them instant salvation as needed in their daily life. Working Hypothesis Communication principles if applied in evangelisation can make Christ effective to the local people who are being evangelized. Structure This essay is divided into three chapters. The first chapter develops the Christology that can be applicable to the Lomwe people of Malawi. The view presented here is that Christ was not presented in such a way that the local people could understand him and his role in the mystery of salvation. It is in this line that the Christological title of Momboli has been proposed so as to make Christ effective in the lives of the local people. Chapter two focuses on the impact of Momboli on the Lomwe people in relation to what Christ does to those who believe in him. It also looks ahead to the source of problem, the reason why Lomwe people do not believe fully in Christ. Chapter three aims at giving a solution to the current problem by indicating the ways in which the problem can be avoided in future evangelisations. The general conclusion gives a summary to the whole essay. The author makes an assertion that Christ is truly the Momboli of the Lomwe people.
Description
Keywords
Communicating Christ., Lomwe People., Malawi., Momboli.
Citation