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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | The Holy Spirit in the African Independent/Indigenous Churches as Reflected in the Literature and an Effort at Clarification |
Author: | Mahlke, Reiner |
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. |