Description
Book SynopsisThis book investigates the question of human flourishing in African New Pentecostalism in South Africa. In a context marked by deep economic inequality and high unemployment, many poor South Africans rely on African New Pentecostal prophets to bring spiritual meaning to their lives. Collectively, and using various theoretical frameworks and methods, the authors of this volume analyze and critique the concept of this pursuit, and ask what can be done to challenge African New Pentecostal prophets to respond effectively.
The book will be of interest to academics, pastors, researchers and university students in Pentecostalism in Africa, Missiology and Science of Religion, Sociology and Psychology of Religion and the public role of religion in South Africa and beyond.
"This volume provides a uniquely fresh perspective on African Pentecostalism by linking three important discursive fields: human flourishing, charismatic Pentecostalism, and decoloniality. The volume provides important insights into the normative notions brought forward by prophetic Pentecostalism on what constitutes a good life. It thereby substantially advances the debate on Pentecostalism and prosperity. Even though the book zooms in on South Africa, its chapters bear relevance far beyond. The volume is therefore a must-read for anyone wanting to engage with current trends in African Christianity."
—Philipp Öhlmann, Associated Senior Researcher, Center for Rural Development, Humboldt University; Research Fellow, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Botswana
"This is an intellectually stimulating, original, and thought-provoking contribution to the field of African Pentecostal Studies. It has not failed to deliver and must be read to understand new creative interpretations of the movements by African Christian scholars."
—Chammah Kaunda, Assistant Professor, Yonsei University, South Korea; Extraordinary Professor, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
"This important book creatively explores human flourishing in the context of New Prophetic Pentecostalism in Africa. It should be read by all who are interested in the most recent developments of Southern African Pentecostalism and those concerned about genuine human flourishing in the church and wider society."
—Dr. Simo Frestadius, Dean of Research, Regents Theological College; Executive Director, Institute for Pentecostal Theology; Chair, European Pentecostal Theological Association
Trade ReviewThis volume provides a uniquely fresh perspective on African Pentecostalism by linking three important discursive fields: human flourishing, charismatic Pentecostalism, and decoloniality. The volume provides important insights into the normative notions brought forward by prophetic Pentecostalism on what constitutes a good life. It thereby substantially advances the debate on Pentecostalism and prosperity. Even though the book zooms in on South Africa, its chapters bear relevance far beyond. The volume is therefore a must-read for anyone wanting to engage with current trends in African Christianity. Philipp Öhlmann Associated Senior Researcher at the Center for Rural Development Humboldt University, Research Fellow, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Botswana. This is an intellectually stimulating, original, and thought-provoking contribution to the field of African Pentecostal Studies. It has not failed to deliver and must be read to understand new creative interpretations of the movements by African Christian scholars. Chammah Kaunda Assistant Professor, Yonsei University, South Korea. Extraordinary Professor, University of the Western Cape, South Africa. This important book creatively explores human flourishing in the context of New Prophetic Pentecostalism in Africa. It should be read by all who are interested in the most recent developments of Southern African Pentecostalism and those concerned about genuine human flourishing in the church and wider society. Simo Frestadius Dr. Simo Frestadius, Dean of Research, Regents Theological College Executive Director, Institute for Pentecostal Theology Chair, European Pentecostal Theological Association
Table of ContentsIntroduction – Collium Banda: Black Theology and Human Flourishing in South African Neo-Pentecostal Prophetism – Sello Jonas Thinane: Religion and Economy: The Nexus between the ECG Church Leader’s Lavish Lifestyle and His Congregants’ Human Flourishing – Bekithemba Dube: Human Unflourishing at Universal Church of the Kingdom of God: A Decoloniality Approach – Sphesihle Khanyile: From Christianity to Plentianity: Reading Discourses of Human Flourishing, Prosperity Gospel, and Black Emancipation in King HQ Nala’s Virtual Sermons – Sibusiso Masondo: Blessing Seekers or Bounty Hunters?: The Case of the Followers of Prosperity Preachers in South Africa – Kelebogile Resane: Human Flourishing in African Pentecostal Prophetism: Authentic or a Fallacy? – Abraham Modisa Mkhondo Mzondi: “Not yet Uhuru”: Looking at the Poor, Ubuntu, African Pentecostal Prophetism and Human Flourishing in the Post–1990 South African Context – Marius Nel: Prophetic Neo-Pentecostal Churches and the Theodicy Challenge – Mookgo S. Kgatle, Anthony Reddie, and Collium Banda: Epilogue – Notes on Contributors – Index.
