Pentecostalism And Witchcraft

This open access book presents fresh ethnographic work from the regions of Africa and Melanesia—where the popularity of charismatic Christianity can be linked to a revival and transformation of witchcraft. The volume demonstrates how the Holy Spirit has become an adversary to the reconfirmed presence of witches, demons, and sorcerers as manifestations of evil. We learn how this is articulated in spiritual warfare, in crusades, and in healing or witch-killing raids. The contributors highlight what happens to phenomena that people address as locally specific witchcraft or sorcery when re-molded within the universalist Pentecostal demonology, vocabulary, and confrontational methodology.

"Witchcraft" and exorcism have long been dominant features of life in African cultures. This unique book provides a thorough, field research-based description and analysis of a specifically Pentecostal Christian response to these phenomena within the Akan culture of Ghana. Anthropological studies generally claim that the ultimate goal of exorcism is modernisation. Using interdisciplinary studies with a theological focus, the author takes a different view, arguing that it is divinatory consultation or an inquiry into the sacred and the search for meaning that underlies the current "deliverance" ministry, where the focus is to identify and break down the so-called demonic forces by the power of God and to "deliver" people from their torment. The deliverance ministry is one attempt to contextualise the gospel for African people. However, preoccupation with demonisation and exorcistic practices is found to bring Christianity into tension with the Akan culture, family ties and other religions. In order to develop a properly safeguarded ministry of exorcism in an African context, the author examines contextualisation and suggests the integration into African Christianity of divinatory consultation, which has strong resonances with the biblical concept of prayer.

Pentecostalism is a Protestant Christian movement that emphasises direct personal experience of God through baptism with the Holy Spirit. Protestants believe that this enables a Christian to live a Spirit-filled and empowered life. This empowerment involves the use of spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues and divine healing. Witchcraft, according to practitioners, is the practice of magical skills and abilities such as using spells, incantations and magical rituals. It is a broad term that varies culturally and socially. In many cultures, witches are seen as the opposite of sacred. In some countries, many Pentecostal pastors have combined their evangelical brand of Christianity with regional beliefs in witchcraft. The book presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. Different approaches, evaluations, methodologies and advanced studies on Pentecostalism and witchcraft have been included herein. This book is a vital tool for all researching or studying this topic, as it gives incredible insights into emerging trends and concepts.

This open access book presents fresh ethnographic work from the regions of Africa and Melanesia-where the popularity of charismatic Christianity can be linked to a revival and transformation of witchcraft. The volume demonstrates how the Holy Spirit has become an adversary to the reconfirmed presence of witches, demons, and sorcerers as manifestations of evil. We learn how this is articulated in spiritual warfare, in crusades, and in healing or witch-killing raids. The contributors highlight what happens to phenomena that people address as locally specific witchcraft or sorcery when re-molded within the universalist Pentecostal demonology, vocabulary, and confrontational methodology. This work was published by Saint Philip Street Press pursuant to a Creative Commons license permitting commercial use. All rights not granted by the work's license are retained by the author or authors.

Over the past decades, Pentecostal-charismatic Christianity has arguably become the fastest growing religious movement in the world. Distinguishing features of this variant of Christianity include formal ritual activities as well as informal, experiential, and ecstatic forms of worship. This book examines Pentecostal-charismatic ritual practice in different parts of the world, highlighting, among other things, the crucial role of ritual in creating religious communities and identities.

Juxtaposes case studies from Melanesia and Africa in order to better compare, contrast, and illuminate the effects of and engagements with Pentecostalism. Focuses on chief themes of Pentecostalism and witchcraft while also bringing in discussions of globalization, visibility, movements of capital, and embodiment. Presents rich and detailed case studies while also offering up wide-ranging theoretical analyses and critiques of established thinking/concepts.

Explore natural healing, tune into your body’s needs, and use magic to create a joyful, healthy lifestyle with this essential guide to wellness for your witchcraft practice. Magic meets healthy living in this guidebook to help you become a healthier version of yourself. From crystal healing to moon cycles to other natural remedies, you’ll learn everything you need to know to strengthen, treat, and support your body and spirit—all while using your witchcraft skills. In The Witch’s Guide to Wellness, you will bring your spiritual practice into the practical world with spells, potions, and powerful activities. You will be able to treat common ailments, understand your body’s cycle, and develop a positive relationship with your mind and body. You’ll find remedies like: -A hydration ritual to help you detoxify your body -A magical herb jar that will alleviate worry -A grounding ritual for spiritual balance -And much more! The Witch’s Guide to Wellness shows you just how easy it is to connect with yourself, listen in to what your body needs, and add a little magic to make sure you’re living your healthiest life.

This book shows how the UCKG utilizes rituals that are locally meaningful and are informed by local ideas about human bodies, agency and ontological balance.