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A Christian Response to Zambian Death Rituals

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A Christian Response to Zambian Death Rituals Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 1996 A Christian Response to Zambian Death Rituals Cornelius Mulenga Matandiko Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Matandiko, Cornelius Mulenga, "A Christian Response to Zambian Death Rituals" (1996). Dissertation Projects DMin. 689. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/689 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO ZAMBIAN DEATH RITUALS by Cornelius Mulenga Matandiko Adviser: Jon Lee Dybdahl ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO ZAMBIAN DEATH RITUALS Name of researcher: Cornelius Mulenga Matandiko Name and degree of faculty adviser: Jon Lee Dybdahl, Ph.D. Date completed: May 1996 Problem Adventist Christians in Zambia wrestle with the tension between elements of their traditional religion and Western Christianity. Many of them, fearing spirits of the dead, participate in traditional funeral practices aimed at protecting them from spirit attacks. This presents a problem because many of these practices are contrary to what the Bible proclaims. Method In this study, a traditional understanding of death and death rituals is developed. This is followed by a biblical understanding of death and death rituals. An analysis and evaluation of cultural views in the light of the Bible teachings on death, death rituals, and spirits is pursued. A model contextualization process is developed that local churches can use to analyze their own cultural ways in the light of the Scripture. A questionnaire and interviews were conducted to ascertain the areas that needed urgent study. Finally, a seminar program is developed that focuses on teaching eight lessons on death, death rituals, and other related topics. Results The traditional understanding shows that all tribes in Zambia believe in spirit influence. It reveals early people movements, wars, and trade as factors that contributed to the mixing of cultures and similar beliefs. The most common element found in all tribes is the fear of spirits of the dead. The biblical study section concludes that the dead know nothing and therefore have no influence upon the living. An examination of the words "soul" and "spirit" reveals that these words do not carry with them any idea of continued existence outside the physical body after one dies. In comparing what is practiced in culture and what the Bible teaches, it was discovered that there are some cultural practices that are in agreement with Bible principles, and there are some that are in conflict with some Bible teaching. The results of the questionnaire and interview identified eight areas of need relating to the subject of death. Lessons were prepared to speak to these areas of need and educate both pastors and laity in cultural issues affecting the Church in Zambia. Conclusion Since the gospel commission was given to the Church and the presence of the Holy Spirit assured, believers of every culture must be trained to be responsible and must be equipped with the ability to decide what in their culture is to be discarded and what is to be kept. This training program will enable Zambian Adventists to perform the tasks of contextualization in relation to death and death rituals effectively. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO ZAMBIAN DEATH RITUALS A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Cornelius Mulenga Matandiko May 1996 A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO ZAMBIAN DEATH RITUALS A project dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Cornelius Mulenga Matandiko APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Walter Douglas f£'----\— I h j Bruce Moyer Date approved TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......... vii Chapter I. INTRODUCTION. ............................. 1 Statement of the Problem. ............... 1 The Purpose of the Study................ 3 Significance. ........................... 4 Methodology............................. 6 Definition of Terms..................... 9 Zambian Local Terms............. 11 Bemba......... 11 Tonga ................. 12 Ngoni........... 12 Lozi.............................. 13 II. TRADITIONAL UNDERSTANDING OF DEATH AND DEATH RITUALS..................... 14 Major Tribes............................ 15 The Bemba............................ 16 Beliefs............................ 18 The Tonga............................ 21 Beliefs............. 24 The Ngoni............................ 27 Beliefs........................... 28 The Lozi. ............................ 30 Beliefs........................... 32 Description of Funeral Rituals.......... 34 Pre-Burial Activities................ 36 Bemba.............................. 3 6 Tonga.............................. 3 9 Ngoni ........... 41 Lozi.............................. 43 Burial Activities.................... 44 iii Bemba....... 44 Tonga .............................. 47 Ngoni ....... ................. 4 9 Lozi ............................... 50 Post-Burial Activities. ........... 52 Bemba.................. 52 Tonga. ............................. 55 Ngoni .............................. 58 Lozi........... 59 Summary...................... 61 Issues Raised........................ 64 III. THE BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING OF DEATH AND DEATH RITUALS......................... 66 Death Rituals in the Old Testament...... 67 Pre-Burial Activities................ 68 Burial Activities.................... 70 Post-Burial Activities............... 74 Forbidden Practices.................. 76 Beyond the Mourning Period........... 78 Analysis of Key Terms................... 79 Death as Sleep....................... 80 Soul................................. 82 Spirit.............. 84 Textual Analysis................. 87 Possible Interpretations............. 88 First Interpretation.............. 88 Second Interpretation............. 90 Third Interpretation.............. 91 Fourth Interpretation............. 92 Death Rituals in the New Testament...... 94 Pre-Burial Activities................ 95 Burial Activities.................... 96 Post-Burial Activities............... 97 Word Analysis. ........................... 100 Soul................................. 101 Spirit............................... 103 Textual Analysis........................ 104 Matt 22:32 ........................... 104 Context.............................. 105 Discussion........................... 105 Summary...... 108 xv IV. ANALYSIS OF TRADITIONAL VIEWS IN THE LIGHT OF THE BIBLE ............................... Ill Pre-Burial Activities.................... 113 Similarities............. 113 Differences........................... 117 Burial Activities. ................ 118 Similarities......................... 118 Funeral Fire. ..................... 121 Differences..................... 121 Post-Burial Activities. .................. 124 Similarities. ......................... 124 Differences. .......................... 127 Strictly Forbidden Practices............ 130 Ancestral and Other Spirits............. 134 Conclusion.......................... 139 V. A CONTEXTUAL, CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO FUNERAL PRACTICES. ......................... 140 Target Audience ......................... 141 Selection of Topics..................... 142 Teaching Method......................... 144 Preliminary Organization................ 146 Model Contextualization Process......... 146 Cultural Syncretism.................. 147 Cultural Relativism.................. 148 Cultural Rejectionism................. 149 Other............................... 150 Critical Contextualization........... 150 1. Awareness...................... 150 2. Information...... 151 3. Discussion..................... 152 4. Education...................... 153 5. Consultation................. 154 6. Evaluation..................... 154 7. Decision....................... 155 8. Implementation................. 156 VI. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.... 157 Summary............................ 157 Conclusion.............................. 160 v Recommendations. ........................... 163 Appendix A. LETTER. ............................ ........ 167 B. QUESTIONNAIRE. .............................. 169 C. MAP OF ZAMBIA. ......................... 173 D. NEWSPAPER CLIPPING OF FUNERAL PRACTICES. ....................... 175 E . SEMINAR LESSONS ............................ 177 BIBLIOGRAPHY. ................................... 219 VITA. ............. 232 vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Finally the work is done. I would like to say a few "thank-yous:" Principally to God, who has sustained my life and health, and that of my family during our stay at Andrews. He supplied everything I ever needed to the end of this dissertation. Gratitude to my devoted wife for support and encouragement along the way. Thank you to my little children, Charity and Tina, for bearing with my "I'm busy right now, I can't play with you," and for understanding and providing me with cheer and laughter the whole time. Special thanks are due to
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