AbstractWhat is the singular subject that currently dominates other issues in African congregations today? What is the dilemma that has seemingly crippled and incapacitated the power of God in its manifestation freely among the believers? What is the topic that attracts attention in social media, television, radio, and newspaper reports every day in the world? It is the pursuit and clamor for a miracle. It is observed that the number of church-goers, miracle-seekers, and miracle-workers is on the increase daily in Christian gatherings. The question remains, “Magic or Miracle?” If it is a miracle that only comes from God, why the craze? The biblical account is full of God’s miracles through His prophets in the Old Testament and through Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Besides, God worked wondrously through the apostles. He is still able to do wonders in this end time. Thus, this paper is a Christian apologetic response to current prophetic claims that are associated with magic but are displayed as miracles. It significantly argues that God is not a magician and miracles do not depend on human efforts. The discourse, therefore, employs the Christian apologetical method in responding to the challenges that these misconstrued conceptions have had on African Christian congregations, with particular reference to Nigeria.

AbstractAs in many other cultures and across history, there is a longing among Africans for a messiah. But human saviours always disappoint

AbstractWho was Shembe and how should we view the Nazareth Baptist Church? This article delves into some of the history, theology and controversy

AbstractThis article investigates the roots of the so-called spiritual law of attraction that some Christian preachers today describe as an important biblical law. One of the proponents of this idea, Pastor At Boshoff of the Christian Revival Church (CRC), refers in his sermons to the law of attraction as a powerful principle derived from the Word of God. This idea bears striking similarities to the positive confession doctrine as taught by popular Word of Faith preachers. The basic claim of this spiritual ‘law’ is that human beings create their own future through their thoughts and words. The article shows the idea of a spiritual law of attraction as a New Age doctrine that flows from a New Age worldview. Preaching prosperity through the law of attraction is not in accordance with orthodox, historical Christianity or the Christian worldview. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article challenges the secular view that intangible thoughts and words can take on tangible reality. This is important since this secular idea is infiltrating the Christian church. It is already being preached as biblical although the roots thereof are clearly shown to originate from the New Age movement.

AbstractThis article investigates the biblical motivation that is given for the secular idea of the so-called spiritual law of attraction to become part of Christian doctrine. In 2010 Pastor At Boshoff of the Christian Revival Church (CRC) preached two sermons on the law of attraction in which he claimed it as a powerful principle in the Word of God. According to him this biblical ‘law’ provides human beings with physical manifestations of their thoughts and words. The idea to create one’s own favourable future through the law of attraction flows from a New Age worldview and is similar to the positive confession doctrine taught by popular Word of Faith teachers. Boshoff’s claim regarding the law of attraction cannot be deduced from the key Scripture passages he uses, which reflects an unfounded use of Scripture to promote this idea. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article challenges the secular infiltration of the Law of Attraction in the church. This is important since the so-called Law of Attraction was preached by Pastor A. Boshoff of the CRC. Many of his listeners embrace his teaching although it reflects a poor exposition and application of Scripture.

AbstractEspecially since the late 20th century, former ‘Western’ cults such as the Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons and Branhamites, became a real threat to churches in the greater Kolwezi, the rest of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and several other places in Africa. Because these cultic groups question some of the most basic teachings of Christianity, including who God is and whether salvation occurs through Jesus Christ alone, it is crucial for Christian churches confronted with them, to respond apologetically in an effective way. To be able to do it, it is important to understand why these groups made such inroads and proselytes from Christian churches. In the article such background is given and a way forward through Christian apologetics and a missionary strategy is discussed.

AbstractThis Christian apologetic thesis focuses on the question of the identity of Jesus. Is he God, the only God, or not God? The aim of the work is to bring back a Biblical understanding of basic Christian doctrines in Kolwezi and other places in the DRC and Africa in light of the influence of the teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) and Branhamites. The research starts with the history of Kolwezi, and this includes the people, culture, customs, behaviour and social life. Then it describes the introduction of Christianity in Kolwezi and follows its growth from colonial times until the independence of the DRC (1885-1960). The different periods of the country and city’s history, including the period of the Congo Free State (1885-1908); the Belgian Congo (1908-1960); the Democratic Republic of Congo (1960-1965); Congo-Zaire (1965-1997); and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997-2014), have all influenced the insight and understanding of Christianity and Christian doctrines. When the Christianity came to Kolwezi, it found the people involved in ancestors’ worship, practising magic powers in the indigenous communities. With this as background, the focus is on the religious life of the people in Kolwezi for the last fifty years. The research examines the influence of Arius by tracing the doctrines and the growth of the JW on the one hand. In 1985, this group had about 300 members, but today they are 37 times more (12 000 members). On the other hand, the research investigates the heresies of Sabellius (influential in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th century) by tracing the beliefs of the Branhamites in and through the life and teachings of their prophet, William Marrion Branham. In Kolwezi, these two groups seized the opportunities provided by unstable situations such as the civil war (1960-65), tribal conflict (1961-63, 1992-93) and political crisis (1990-1991, 1998-2001, 2008-2012) to influence Christians in all walks of life with their end-time prophecies. The JW prophesied the end of the world several times (1914) and the Branhamites also (1977) prophesied the end time of the present world. While none of their prophecies have been fulfilled, their influence is spreading. This is in contradiction with the way Christians view the end time Christians believe according to Biblical prophecy that the second coming of Christ and the end of this era will be accomplished once and for all one day in the future. Not only their involvement in Kolwezi, but also the similarities between the JW and the Branhamites provide reasons to study them together. These similarities include this such as that both groups consider their founder to be a messenger of God; both see the organization as the only true church; both teach a Christology that differs radically from Christianity and the Bible; both deny the Trinity; both deny the bodily resurrection of Christ; both deny the personality of the Holy Spirit; both have wrongly prophesied the end time; both use manipulation techniques; and both deny the Apostles’ Creed. The thesis employs Christian apologetics to evaluate the two groups in an effort to understand what the task is and what method must be implemented so that the people of Kolwezi can be reintroduced to Jesus of the Bible.

AbstractThe modern practice of being slain in the Spirit is more akin to demonic possession as it's described in the Bible than the work of God

AbstractThe current developments in New Prophetic Churches (NPCs) raise the necessity for theological research. There are some practices within these formations, similar to African spiritualities. Spirituality is defined and some reflections on African spiritualities highlighted. This article identifies the NPCs and African spiritualities and how the two converge towards spiritual formation for Christians in these churches. Literature review and social media are used to research and conclude the research question, which is the resurgence of African spiritualities in faith formation of this faith community. Justification for this resurgence is based on both theological and etymological analyses of features, especially occultism and deliverance. Research finding is that many believers abandon Christian faith or opt to be opponents of the Gospel when promised prophecies are not fulfilled. Hence a conclusion is arrived at as an appeal for the return to Christian apologetics and vivacious socio-cultural contextual studies in the church. Robust dialogue with NPC leaders is long overdue, as at the end the local pastors are the ones engaged with damage control after the prophet has passed. Minimum standards should be suggested to minimize emotional damage in individuals and communities of faith, and discipleship into Christian faith needs to be heightened.

AbstractCults are a worldwide phenomenon and Africa has certainly not been spared. They are not a problem 'out there,' but one that lurks at every church door.