Suchergebnisse

Apart from the mainline, Pentecostal, and Zionist churches, there are different types of African Independent/Indigenous Churches (AIC). The greater part of the more than four thousand denominations and eight million adherents came into the AIC during the past three decades, mainly from the traditional African religious background. The important role of the diviner in the traditional society has been replaced by the prophet in the AIC; the prophet understands the worldview of his/her people, especially the cultural diseases. In some churches the office of prophet cum diviner is represented by one person. The AIC movement is the most dynamic church movement in many parts of Africa, especially Southern Africa. The consistent growth of these churches can largely be accounted for by the healing procedures they use, which ar highlighted in this study. Dr. Oosthuizen approaches healing from various angles, as sickness is not only determined by physical and psychological factors, but also by disturbed human relationships and socio-political and economic tensions.

ARE THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES SLIDING INTO PACIFISM? PACIFISM HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MINORITY VIEW WITHIN THE CHURCH. NOW, HOWEVER, THERE ARE SIGNS THAT OFFICIAL CHURCH BODIES ARE SLIPPING ALMOST UNWITTINGLY INTO A CRYPTO-PACIFISM. ONE REASON FOR THIS IS THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO TAKE UP A MORE CRITICAL ATTITUDE TO THE STATE. IN PART THIS IS A GUILT-RIDDEN REACTION AGAINST A TOO CLOSE IDENTIFICATION WITH IT IN THE PAST. IT IS OFTEN SAID NOW THAT THE CHURCH HAS MOVED INTO A NEW PHASE OF ITS EXISTENCE.1 THERE WAS A PRE-CONSTANTINIAN PERIOD WHEN THE CHURCH WAS A SMALL, PERSECUTED SECT WITHIN THE ROMAN EMPIRE, DIVORCED FROM PUBLIC LIFE. THEN THERE WAS THE CONSTANTINIAN PHASE, WHICH LASTED FROM THE FOURTH CENTURY UNTIL THE FIRST WORLD WAR WHEN THE CHURCHES AND THE SECULAR POWER WALKED IRON HAND IN WHITE GLOVE. NOW, IT IS ALLEGED, THE CHURCHES ARE ONCE AGAIN IN A MINORITY GROUP, STRIPPED OF POWER AND DEVOID OF MUCH OF THEIR TRADITIONAL INFLUENCE IN HIGH PLACES. THEY ARE, THEREFORE, FREE TO POINT TO A DISTINCTIVELY CHRISTIAN LIFE, WITHDRAWN FROM THE FALLEN WORLD OF POWER POLITICS.