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Split-Level Christianity in Africa: a Study of The This material has been provided by Asbury Theological Seminary in good faith of following ethical procedures in its production and end use. The Copyright law of the united States (title 17, United States code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyright material. Under certain condition specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to finish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law. By using this material, you are consenting to abide by this copyright policy. Any duplication, reproduction, or modification of this material without express written consent from Asbury Theological Seminary and/or the original publisher is prohibited. Contact B.L. Fisher Library Asbury Theological Seminary 204 N. Lexington Ave. Wilmore, KY 40390 B.L. Fisher Library’s Digital Content place.asburyseminary.edu Asbury Theological Seminary 205 North Lexington Avenue 800.2ASBURY Wilmore, Kentucky 40390 asburyseminary.edu SPLIT-LEVEL CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA: A STUDY OF THE PERSISTENCE OF TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES AMONG THE AKAN METHODISTS OF GHANA A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism Asbury Theological Seminary In Partial Fulfillment of the Reqirements for the Degree Doctor of Missiology by Mathias Kwesi Forson May 1993 Dissertation Approval Sheet This dissertation entitled SPLIT-LEVEL CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA: A STUDY OF THE PERSISTENCE OF TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES AMONG THE AKAN METHODISTS OF GHANA Written by MATHIAS KWESI FORSON and submitted in partial fulfilment to the requirement for the degree of DOCTOR OF MISSIOLOGY has been read and approved by the undersigned members of the Faculty of E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism Asbury Theological Seminary Mentor Date ABSTRACT Forson, Mathias Kwesi 1993 Split-level Christianity in Africa: A Study of the Persistence of Traditional Religious Beliefs and Practices Among the Akan Methodists of Ghana. Much has been written on the phenomenal growth of the church in Africa but little has been said about the life and thought of the people who have joined the church as a result of the impact of Christian mission in Africa. Christianity appears to have failed to become fully integrated into the daily lives of the people as evident in the lively persistence of the old traditional religious beliefs and practices from which the people are supposed to have been converted. This has led to what we call split-level Christianity. This study is an investigation of the causes of what appears to be the divided loyalties of large numbers of Akans who constitute the membership of the Methodist Church. The investigation necessitated a multi-dimensional approach: 1. An anthropological approach to uncover the cultural dynamics which favored or hindered the religious changes among the Akans. 2. Historical methods used to investigate how Christianity was introduced to the Akans, and 3. Observation of contemporary practices of the church under national leadership. The research also gathered data through participant observation and interviews of church members and pastors to determine their attitude to Akan traditional religious beliefs and practices. This total data base provided the basis for analyzing why the problem of split-level Christianity exists and for making suggestions for a relevant Christianity among the Akans. The study concludes by proposing some interventionist strategies of dealing with the problem of split-level Christianity. These include; communicating the gospel within the Akan context, providing Christian substitues for those beliefs and practices which the Akans constantly revert to and a renewal of the existing liturgy and worship practice of the church to make it relevant to the Akan cultural context. The study has missiological implications for other churches in Africa and other parts of the world. The specific limitation of this work to an ethnic group�the Akans of Ghana�instead of a wider cultural ambient, is meant to serve as a model for any similar study among other ethnic groups in any other cultural area of the world. Mentor: Dr. Darrell Whiteman ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I should thank the Lord who has enabled me to complete this research. The following people deserve special thanks because without their support and assistance this project would not have been completed. My mentor, Dr. Darrell Whiteman, and committee Dr. A. H. Mathias Zahniser, Dr. Everett N. Hunt Jr., who motivated, challenged and guided me through the dissertation. Special thanks go to the faculty of the E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism who have been very helpful, particularly Dr. George G. Hunter III who was a reader and offered useful suggestions and Dr. J. T. Seamands for his editorial work. I should also express my special thanks and appreciation to the following people, organizations and churches whose financial assistance, prayers and encouragement have made my education in the United States possible: Rev. Dick McClain, Dr. Nelson Watts, Mrs Loyce Raulerson, Micheal Mozley, David Carlestdt, Judy Naugle, Richard Riggs, Mission Society for United Methodists, Sharonville United Methodist Church, Cincinnati; Westminster United Methodist Church, Houston; North Avenue Presbyterian Church, Atlanta. and Finally, my wife Janet, and children Kwamena, Abeeku, Lydia deserve special mention for their support. My dear mother Elizabeth Clarke cannot be left out; she has been very supportive of me in various ways. To all ase and God bless of you I say meda horn (thank you) you. iii Copyright 1993 Mathias Kwesi Forson ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii LIST OF TABLES viii SECTION I PRE-CHRISTIAN BACKGROUND CHAPTER 1 PERSISTENCE OF AKAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES IN THE FACE OF CULTURAL CHANGES 1 Statement of the Problem 3 Introduction to the Problem 4 Aims of the Study 8 Background to the Problem 11 The Impact of Nationalism and Colonialism 13 Christianity and Akan Culture 15 Significance of the Study 18 Methodology and Data Base for the Study 19 Definition of Key Concepts 22 Organization of the Study 25 End Notes 26 CHAPTER 2 RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL CHANGE IN A TRADITIONAL SOCIETY 28 The Concept of Primitive Society 29 Religion and Culture 34 Culture and Culture Change 36 Definition of Culture 36 Culture Change 37 The process of innovation 40 Diffusion and acculturation 41 Functionalism and Cultural Change 43 Functionalism 44 Contribution of Functionalism to Missiology 47 Religious Change 50 Religious Change in Africa 52 African Response to Christianity 57 iv Summary 62 End Notes 64 CHAPTER 3 AKAN RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES 65 Social Organization of the Akans 66 Fante Cosmology and Myth 68 God and Creation 68 Mythology and legends about God and creation 70 Worship of God 72 Belief in spirits and deities 74 Worship of the deities 76 Concept of Evil 78 Magic, Charms, and Witchcraft 79 The Akan Notion of Death 81 Akan Concept of Human Personality 84 Reincarnation 87 Akan Traditional Religious Practices 88 Sacrifices and Offerings 89 The practice of libation 89 Life Cycle Rites 90 Initiation 91 Marriage 92 Birth Ceremonies 95 Naming ceremony 96 Death and Funeral Ceremonies 98 Widowhood Rituals 104 Traditional Festivals 110 Beliefs and Practices Related to Illness and Healing Ill Traditional Medical Practices Ill Summary and Conclusion 114 End Notes 117 SECTION II CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE OF CHRISTIANITY CHAPTER 4 EARLY METHODIST MISSIONARY WORK IN GHANA 120 Missionary Achievements 121 Early Efforts to Introduce Christianity 124 The Planting of the Methodist Church 126 Methods of Evangelism 133 Camp Meetings 136 v Indigenous Workers 139 Methodist Rules and Regulations 141 Nature of Churches Planted 143 Impact of Colonial Rule 144 African Christian Initiatives 149 African Indigenous Churches 151 Missionary Life and Work 155 Missionary Attitudes to Akan Religion 157 Converts' Participation in Akan Traditional Life .... 165 The Bible and the Plough 168 Missionary Communication 169 Imposition of Western Culture 173 Summary 177 End Notes 178 CHAPTER 5 WHY AKAN BELIEFS AND PRACTICES PERSIST . 182 Persistence of Traditional Medical Practices 188 Motives for Joining the Church 192 Lack of Adequate Instructions 194 The Role of Religion in Akan Society 195 Akan Holistic Attitude to Life 197 Conversion of Akan Worldview Has Not Occured . 199 Missionary and Colonial Factors 202 Akan Tendency to Add New Religion 204 Perception of some Akan Beliefs as Real 206 Fear Associated With Supernatural Powers 211 The Church is Perceived as Impotent 214 The Akan View of Cause and Effect 218 Similarity of Akan and Biblical Worldviews 219 Kinship Obligations 221 It Is Our Custom 223 Failure to Contextualize Christianity 224 Summary and Conclusion 227 End Notes 229 SECTION III PROPOSALS TO REVITALIZE THE CHURCH CHAPTER 6 A MISSIOLOGICAL APPRAISAL OF THE CHURCH IN GHANA TODAY 230 The Methodist Church, Ghana 231 Church Growth 232 Meeting the Felt Needs of Members 235 vi Lack
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