Church breakaways as a prototype of commercialisation and commodification of religion in the Pentecostal Church Movement in South Africa: considering curricula offerings for pastors

Thinane

2023

J. Study Relig.

The New Prophetic Churches is a religion in the mix, demonstrated by their points of contact with classical Pentecostalism, the prosperity gospel, African independent churches, and African traditional religion. New Prophetic Churches have points of contact with classical Pentecostalism with reference to the doctrine of baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. They are also influenced by the African traditional religions with reference to their connection with the spirit world. In addition, they have points of contact with the African independent churches concerning the use of healing and deliverance products. Furthermore, they have points of contact with the prosperity gospel in teaching the message of material blessing. The original form of these influences is presented in this article as opium religion, whereas the corrupted form of these influences is presented as opioid forms of religion. The latter refers to a somewhat dangerous mix of religious teachings, advocated by self-appointed spiritual leaders within the New Prophetic Churches. These spiritual leaders have concocted this mixture contrary to the original purpose of such teachings with the intention to satisfy their commercial desires to the detriment of the spiritual wellbeing of their followers and the sa-credness of religious teachings, particularly Christian teachings. Relying on a literary analysis, this article challenges the religious teachings of opioid religions that undermine the original good intentions with which these teachings are mixed. It suggests that any religious teaching in the Christian tradition should be consistent with the eternal purpose of God's mission, identity in Christ, and the fundamental tenets of the Christian tradition. There are neo-Pentecostal churches that are consistent with the mission of God, bringing solutions to various challenges in Africa. However, the focus here is on the New Prophetic Churches that have transited from the opium of religion to religion as opioids.

Section: Commercialization and Commodification Of Religionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transition from the Opium of Religion to Religion as Opioids: Abuse of Religious Teachings in the New Prophetic Churches in South Africa

Thinane

2023

J. Study Relig.

“…The final challenge under discussion is the commercialisation of the gospel (see Masenya & Masenya 2018;Mashau & Kgatle 2019;Resane 2017b). Pentecostalism in its varieties has been involved in the commercialisation of religion.…”

Section: Peculiar Challenges In the African Pentecostal Traditionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peculiarities in the Pentecostal tradition: Disciplinal and decolonial perspectives in a South African context

2022

Verbum Eccles.

The African Pentecostal tradition as a distinct movement within the Protestant tradition is discussed here from disciplinal and decolonial perspectives. The characteristics that inform this distinction are explored to show that Pentecostalism is part of the Protestant tradition but distinct from other streams within this tradition. In addition, the different types and streams that exist within the broader Pentecostal movement such as classical Pentecostalism, African Independent Pentecostalism, Newer Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches and prophetic Pentecostalism are highlighted to demonstrate peculiarities. These distinctions help not to generalise when addressing the challenges and weaknesses of a specific Pentecostal sub-tradition. However, it is these distinctions in Pentecostalism that enable both insiders and outsiders to engage in an interdisciplinary study within theological disciplines and multidisciplinary study between theology and other disciplines. The distinctions in Pentecostalism assist African scholars in thoroughly engaging in decolonial discourses within theological studies in order to highlight challenges and provide solutions.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article demonstrates that the peculiarities in the Pentecostal tradition and sub-traditions in Africa serve as an opportunity for an interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary study of theology. In addition, these peculiarities – despite their challenges – are a trigger for the decolonisation of theological education and knowledge systems in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa.

“…In addition, most of them are self-claimed, meaning they were not properly ordained, but rather requested someone from an established ministry to endorse their own ministry. Masenya and Masenya (2018) point out that non-denominational Pentecostal churches are started by anyone, including those who have never received any theological training. This article does not endorse the lack of theological training but points out the fact that these churches can be started by those who have not received theological training, which adds to the proliferation of these churches in South Africa.…”

Section: The Significance Of Non-denominationalism In Newer Non-denom...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The newer Non-Denominational Pentecostal Churches in South Africa: A Critical Approach to Non-Denominationalism in Pentecostalism

2022

SHE

This article seeks to illustrate that although there is a church historical significance of non-denominationalism in Pentecostalism demonstrated in numerical growth, non-denominational Pentecostal churches still require some level of order and doctrinal foundations for their sustainability. A lack of these fundamental doctrinal foundations might result in some of these churches facing closure, as calls for the regulation of churches in South Africa are growing stronger. This is done through a discussion of these non-denominational Pentecostal churches that can be categorised into four types: i) Pentecostal and charismatic; ii) prophetic; iii) Zionist; and iv) deliverance ministries. The significance of non-denominationalism in these is highlighted to demonstrate their numerical growth. However, to maintain such numerical growth, these churches would require a balanced approach to denominationalism that embraces doctrinal foundations in the Christian tradition. In other words, an escape from denominationalism should not mean an escape from the foundational doctrines.