All things hold together: Holistic Theologies at the African Grassroots: Selected essays by ML Daneel

ISBN: 978 l 86888 429 5

Series: African initiatives in Christian mission

The African Initiated Churches (AICs) in many parts of Southern Africa represent up to 50% and more of African Christianity. They have often been negatively characterised as 'sects’ of a have dubious Christian nature or as ‘separatists’, growing mainly by virtue of African reaction to the mission endeavours of Western denominations. In-depth studies appearing in this series, however, convincingly illustrated that in terms of growth rates, indigenised evangelisation, missionary campaigns, and ecclesiastical contextualisation the AICs can no longer be regarded as a peripheral phenomenon. They belong to the mainstream of African Christianity and have developed innovative mission methods of their own which can only rate as a major contribution to the expanding Church in Africa. The author of this volume of selected essays has for more than 40 years studied and served the Zimbabwean AICs. Recognised in academic circles as one of the leading interpreters of AlCs he has, as 'folk-theologian', developed a narrative style of theologising which has enhanced greater understanding of this phenomenon. In his 'storytelling' the main characters under consideration invariably speak for themselves. Although the individual essays focus on AIC leadership, worship, sacraments, healing, dialogue with practitioners of African Traditional Religion, and earth keeping, the narration as a whole portrays the richness of AIC life and faith. The composite picture reflects the attraction this form of inculturated Christianity holds for African people - an attraction which stimulates recruitment and Unisa= rapid church expansion.

CONTENTS:

Series Preface vii
About this book by Marthinus L. Daneel ix
Foreword by Gary Van der Pol: lnus Daneel as holistic scholar,
bishop and activist xv
In Christ All Things Hold Together 1
1 AICS: Historical Roots and Ecclesial Interconnections 1
2 AIC Pneumatology and the Salvation of All Creation 21
3 Earthkeeping in Missiological Perspective 46
I will raise up for them a prophet 96
4 Fission Dynamics 98
5 Black Messianism: Corruption or Contextualisation? 131
6 Musariri Dhliwayo 161
Go, make disciples and Baptise 194
7 The Missionary Outreach of AICs 195
8 AIC Women as Bearers of The Gospel Good News 214
9 Life around the Pool 231
Not to destroy but to fulfil 267
10 Prophetism and Wizardry 268
11 Exorcism as Combating Wizardry: Liberation or Enslavement? 311
12 Encounter Between Christianity and African Traditional Religion 341
Unity so that the world may know 360
13 Liberative Ecumenism at the African Grassroots 361
Conclusion by Alan Anderson:
The Significance of lnus Daneel for African Theology 394