Culture and Conflict in Pentecostalism: The Assemblies of God in South Africa, Nicholas Bhengu and the American Missionaries, and the International Assemblies of God (1917-1964) By Albert Stephen Motshetshane/Student # 213572691 Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree: DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PhD) In the History of Christianity Programme at the School of Philosophy, Religion and Classics; University of KwaZulu-Natal Supervisor: Professor Philippe Denis December 10, 2015 1 Declaration I,#Albert#Stephen#Motshetshane,#declare#that:# 1. #The#research#reported#in#this#thesis,#except#where#otherwise#indicated,#is#my# original#research.# 2. #This#thesis#has#not#been#submitted#for#any#degree#or#examination#at#any#other# university.# 3. #This# thesis# does# not# contain# other# persons’# data,# pictures,# graphs# or# other# information,# unless# specifically# acknowledged# as# being# sourced# from# other# persons.# 4. This# thesis# does# not# contain# other# persons'# writing,# unless# specifically# acknowledged#as#being#sourced#from#other#researchers.##Where#other#written# sources#have#been#quoted,#then:# a. Their# words# have# been# reIwritten# but# the# general# information# attributed#to#them#has#been#referenced.# b. Where#their#exact#words#have#been#used,#then#their#writing#has#been# placed#in#italics#and#inside#quotation#marks,#and#referenced.# 5. #This#thesis#does#not#contain#text,#graphics#or#tables#copied#and#pasted#from# the#Internet,#unless#specifically#acknowledged,#and#the#source#being#detailed# in#the#thesis#and#in#the#References#sections.### ## # # # # # # # !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#Prof#Philippe#Denis# # # Student#Name## Signature# # #####Supervisor’s#Name# Signature# 8#December#2015 2 Acknowledgements My deepest appreciations must first go to Drs Catherine Burns and Keith Breckenridge for introducing me to the School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics at the UKZN in Pietermaritzburg. I stumbled on the couple and the good work they are doing at WISER on the Internet after a break of more than twenty years. Our friendship started at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. This study is a product of many years, issues I’ve wrestled with but didn’t know how to make ‘academic sense’ of. I am indebted to Professor Philippe Denis for the apt manner in which he guided the process. He sharpened the technical aspects of the research and writing process; and kept my emotions in constant check where they got the better of me. Ms Lindiwe Matjie has been a faithful companion in this journey. She bore the hefty costs and was a source of encouragement in times of pressure. This journey would have been well-nigh impossible without her assistance. Only eternity will reveal how much I adore her. May you live long! My appreciations also go to the University of KwaZulu-Natal for the ‘Remission on Fees,’ this project would not have been possible without their assistance. Many friends, too numerous to mention, dug deep into their pockets to help me along the way. I don’t take these contributions lightly and stand forever grateful to my friends in need and indeed. The Rev Allen Morris, a friend who walked with me through the darkest hours; you are a star! A special thanks to Dr. Cecil Robeck, at Fuller Theological Seminary, for his assistance in the attempt to access the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Centre (FPHC) in Springfield, Missouri. I cannot forget my American friends who cheered me on as the journey begun; Drs Tapiwa Mucherera, Dori Baker, Andy Walsh and Jeffery Tribble. We stretch back more than twenty years as graduate students at Garret Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, USA. I dedicate this study to the church at 4th Street and 4th Avenue in Benoni Old Location. 3 Contents Declaration .......................................................................................................................... 1! Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. 2! Chapter 1 ........................................................................................................................... 12! 1.1.! Short descriptive title ......................................................................................... 12! 1.2.! The Research Question ...................................................................................... 14! 1.3.! Background and identification of research question .......................................... 15! 1.4.! Preliminary literature study and location of research ........................................ 16! 1.4.1.! English speaking churches and racial oppression in South Africa ............. 19! 1.4.2.! The Dutch Reformed Church and racial oppression ................................... 20! 1.4.3.! Nicholas Bhengu ......................................................................................... 22! 1.4.4.! AGUSA Missionaries in South Africa ....................................................... 27! 1.4.5.! History of the Assemblies of God USA ..................................................... 30! 1.4.6.! History of the International Assemblies of God ......................................... 31! 1.5.! Research problem and objectives ....................................................................... 31! 1.6.! Objectives ........................................................................................................... 32! 1.6.1.! Sub-questions .............................................................................................. 32! 1.7.! Theoretical framework ....................................................................................... 33! 1.8.! Research design and methodology ..................................................................... 36! 1.8.1.! Library based research ................................................................................ 36! 4 1.8.2.! Archival research ........................................................................................ 36! 1.8.3.! Interviews ................................................................................................... 37! 1.9.! Schematic overview of structure of dissertation ................................................ 37! PART 1 ............................................................................................................................. 38! 1.9.1.! Chapter 1 ..................................................................................................... 38! 1.9.2.! Chapter 2 ..................................................................................................... 38! 1.9.3.! Chapter 3 ..................................................................................................... 39! PART 2 ............................................................................................................................. 39! 1.9.4.! Chapter 4 ..................................................................................................... 39! 1.9.5.! Chapter 5: .................................................................................................... 40! 1.9.6.! Chapter 6: .................................................................................................... 40! PART 3 ............................................................................................................................. 41! 1.9.7.! Chapter 7 ..................................................................................................... 41! 1.9.8.! Chapter 8 ..................................................................................................... 41! 1.9.9.! Chapter 9 ..................................................................................................... 42! 1.9.10.! Chapter 10 ............................................................................................... 42! CHAPTER 2 ..................................................................................................................... 43! 2.1.! The Political forces that influenced early Pentecostalism ................................. 45! 2.2.! The “Siege” in Northern Natal ........................................................................... 47! 5 2.3.! The economic forces that influenced early Pentecostalism ............................... 50! 2.4.! The religious forces that influenced early Pentecostalism ................................. 53! 2.4.1.! Andrew Murray Sr., and the Worcester Revival of 1860 ........................... 54! 2.4.2.! John Alexander Dowie: “The First Apostle and Elijah the Restorer” ........ 55! 2.4.3.! “Ethiopia stretching her hands out to God” ................................................ 57! 2.4.4.! Johannes Büchler: Zion among the Boers, Coloureds and ‘Uitlanders’ ..... 58! 2.4.5.! Pieter le Roux: Zion among the Zulus ........................................................ 59! 2.4.6.! Edgar Mahon: Zion among the “Basuto” ................................................... 62! 2.4.7.! Daniel Bryant, Dowie’s first and last emissary to South Africa ................. 63! 2.4.8.! “Ukuthula eZion:” The cry of ‘Peace’ among African Zionists ................. 65! Chapter 3 ........................................................................................................................... 68! 3.! Usurping the Work of the ‘Spirit:’ Race and cultural parallels and connections between 312 Azusa and Bree Streets, 1908-1913 ...........................................................