Pentecostal Engagement with the Concept of Salvation Employed by African Neopentecostalism

What is it about?

Established Christianity and African Neopentecostalism need to talk to each other. They will both benefit both from it. African Neopentecostal prosperity gospel is popular because of its ability to contextualise the gospel to Africans. For them, material, physical and spiritual wellness values are essential. Prosperity theology believes a positive future will realise for believers when they have an an entrepreneurial attitude and regularly tithe; that will guarantee God’s blessings. The movement has strong preacher-prophets who proclaim its message effectively. Neopentecostalism teaches that salvation consists not only of eternal life but also present health, wealth and prosperity. The book of Deuteronomy is supposed to guarantee these blessings. Their views challenge established churches to reconsider how they view the relationship between faith and materiality, divine providence, contextualisation of the gospel and denial of the supranatural. The dialogue will also benefit Neopentecostalists when it confronts some of their abuses, their distorted and skewed eschatological expectations, understanding of time and evil in God’s sovereignty and involvement in ecological challenges.

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