Go to AfricaBib home

Go to AfricaBib home AfricaBib Go to database home

bibliographic database
Line
Previous page New search

The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here

Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:The Holy Spirit in the African Independent/Indigenous Churches as Reflected in the Literature and an Effort at Clarification
Author:Mahlke, ReinerISNI
Year:1994
Periodical:Africana Marburgensia
Volume:27
Issue:1-2
Pages:69-81
Language:English
Geographic terms:Africa
Subsaharan Africa
Subjects:African Independent Churches
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Religion and Witchcraft
Abstract:The Holy Spirit and its works is one of the most important features of the religious practices of African Independent/Indigenous Churches (AIC). In several Independent Churches in Africa, especially of the Spirit-type (Zionist and Apostolic), the Holy Spirit can be considered the key concept to understanding church members' belief systems. The present article first surveys the literature dealing with the broader framework of Holy Spirit theology and spiritual practice. The second part outlines some general features and structures of the Holy Spirit complex in African Independent Churches. The whole notion of the Holy Spirit becomes clearer when the wide range of observations it encompasses are grouped according to contents into theory, deriving from both Christianity (theology, trinity, voice or messenger, Jesus Christ, angels) and the African world (ancestors, spirit world, power and balance of power); action, including both receiving (baptism, prophesying, healing, cleansing, visions/dreams) and giving (praying, preaching, singing); and holy spiritual potential or status, both of the believers (prophethood, guidance of believers, a better moral and social life) and of material things (staffs, robes, flags, beads, colours). Bibliogr.
Views