Motivations, Values, and Beliefs Behind the Embracing Of The Prosperity Gospel by Selected African Christian Communities
Loading...
Date
2016-08-31
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
This thesis examines a phenomenon of the rapid growth and proliferation of
prosperity gospel churches in Nairobi. It presents field research findings which demonstrate
that the attraction to churches preaching the prosperity gospel arises because those teachings
resonate, subconsciously or informally, with the motivations, values, and beliefs of the
African understanding of evil and in the centrality of God as the source of all blessings in
daily life. The focus of the thesis was not theological and did not attempt to uncover social ills
related to the prosperity gospel. This thesis used anthropological methods and was concerned
with cultural influences especially in regard to the African worldview. It argued that there is a
framework in the African worldview that allows the prosperity gospel to dwell.
While several African scholars have asserted that the prosperity gospel attracts many
Africans because of the similarities between the two, the literature regarding the link between
the prosperity gospel in Nairobi and the African worldview has not been a focus in literature
dealing with the Nairobi setting. This thesis focuses on the Nairobi setting and presents field
data in the light of this contemporary issue facing the Church in Kenya.
The research revealed that the prosperity gospel recognizes the felt need of the
African to gain power in order to have a full life and to do God’s will. In the past, the failure
to acknowledge the African’s belief system when many missionaries heralded the Gospel of
Christ, did not allow Africans in some instances to examine their own beliefs and become
integrated Christians. The prosperity gospel engages it. Moreover, it gives people an
alternative to resigning themselves to their circumstances. In addition, the prosperity gospel
uses the African worldview for its own purposes with the use of symbols and words that
communicate deeply in the African mind even penetrating to the emotions and fitting itself
either sub-consciously or informally into the African paradigm for living a successful life
pleasing to God.
Description
Keywords
Motivations, Values, Beliefs, Prosperity Gospel, African Belief System: