Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2015 An Analysis and Response to the Fear of Evil Spiritual Forces Among Kamba Christians in the Light of Biblical and Ellen G. White Teachings Joseph Mutune Ndisya Andrews University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the African Languages and Societies Commons, and the Missions and World Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Ndisya, Joseph Mutune, "An Analysis and Response to the Fear of Evil Spiritual Forces Among Kamba Christians in the Light of Biblical and Ellen G. White Teachings" (2015). Dissertations. 1587. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/1587 This Dissertation 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 Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. ABSTRACT AN ANALYSIS AND RESPONSE TO THE FEAR OF EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES AMONG KAMBA CHRISTIANS IN THE LIGHT OF BIBLICAL AND ELLEN G. WHITE TEACHINGS by Joseph Mutune Ndisya Adviser: Bruce L. Bauer ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: AN ANALYSIS AND RESPONSE TO THE FEAR OF EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES AMONG KAMBA CHRISTIANS IN THE LIGHT OF BIBLICAL AND ELLEN G. WHITE TEACHINGS Name of researcher: Joseph Mutune Ndisya Name and degree of faculty adviser: Bruce L. Bauer, D.Miss. Date completed: April 2015 This research aimed to discover whether there are any reasons from the Scriptures and writings of Ellen G. White regarding fear of evil spiritual forces. Thus research aims to understand the historical, cultural and religious reasons Kamba Christians frequently live in fear and dual allegiance. Biblical solutions will be suggested to permanently eliminate that fear. Fear is often so great that born-again Christians carry protective devices and practices which they believe will ward off the invading evil spiritual forces. The Old Testament writings were examined to see how God wanted His people to relate to any evil power. The Old Testament teachings on such powers were examined, as were God’s attitudes towards the people who used evil spiritual powers. Selected New Testament writings were examined to see how Jesus, the disciples, and Paul dealt with evil spiritual powers. The writings of Ellen G. White were also examined to note how her writings explain the workings of evil spiritual powers. The Kamba worldview was also examined to note its contribution. It was found that there were no biblical or Ellen G. White writings that justify the fear of evil spiritual powers. According to the Kamba worldview, however, it was found that a Christian must replace his or her worldview with a Bible-based worldview. One has to glean critically whether there is justification for any Christian to carry in his/her pocket a device from satanic powers to ward off evil spiritual powers sent to the Christian by an evil satanic person and after that make a concluding determination on whether there is any reason to fear evil spiritual powers. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary AN ANALYSIS AND RESPONSE TO THE FEAR OF EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES AMONG KAMBA CHRISTIANS IN THE LIGHT OF BIBLICAL AND ELLEN G. WHITE TEACHINGS A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Joseph Mutune Ndisya April 2015 ©Copyright by Joseph Mutune Ndisya 2015 All Rights Reserved AN ANALYSIS AND RESPONSE TO THE FEAR OF EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES AMONG KAMBA CHRISTIANS IN THE LIGHT OF BIBLICAL AND ELLEN G. WHITE TEACHINGS A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Joseph Mutune Ndisya APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Faculty Adviser, Director, PhD in Religion Bruce L. Bauer Thomas Shepherd Professor of World Mission Jerry A. Moon Dean, SDA Theological Seminary Professor of Church History Jiøí Moskala Gorden R. Doss Professor of World Mission Darius W. Jankiewicz Professor of Theology Bruce Moyer Date approved Retired, Professor of World Mission Andrews University TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. vi Chapter I. INTRODUCTION. 1 Background of the Problem. 1 Statement of the Problem.. 6 Purpose of the Study. 7 Justification of the Research. 7 Research Methodologies. 10 Scope and Limitations . 11 II. THE KAMBA WORLDVIEW AND CHRISTIAN MISSION. 12 Historical Background of the Kamba People.. 12 Kamba Worldview and Culture. 18 Impact of Christian Missions. 24 Methods Used to Evangelize the Kamba. 30 III. FEAR OF EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES AMONG THE KAMBA TRIBE. 35 Traditional Kamba Beliefs in Evil Spiritual Forces.. 35 Evil Spirits and Their Power.. 35 “Good Spirits” and Their Power.. 42 Spirits of Dead People. 45 Visitation. 46 Offerings and Sacrifices.. 49 Belief in the Power of Magicians and Traditional Healers. 50 Power to Heal.. 51 Power to Harm. 56 Power to Predict.. 56 iii Belief in Witchcraft. 58 Belief in Power to Ward Off Witchcraft. 63 Belief in Protective Devices.. 64 Belief in Protective Ceremonies. 65 Kamba Christian Beliefs about Evil Spiritual Forces. 66 Underlying Causes for Fear of Evil Spiritual Forces. 68 Occasions When Fear Occurs. 74 Methodologies to Deal with the Fear.. 78 Impact of Dual Allegiance on Kamba Christians. 85 Critical Contextualization and the Elimination of Fear. 89 IV. OLD TESTAMENT DEALINGS WITH EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR KAMBA CHRISTIANS. 97 God’s Response to Evil Spiritual Powers. 99 Separation and Elimination. 100 Spiritual Dangers of Incomplete Conquest. 102 Marrying Strange Wives. 107 Moses and Pharaoh. 110 Magicians Imitate God’s Power. 110 God Competes with the Magicians.. 112 The Magicians Drop Out from the Competition.. 116 The Magicians Also Get Sick with Boils. 118 Israelite Kings. 120 Saul. 120 Solomon. 125 Ahab. 130 Manasseh.. 131 Daniel, the Chief of the Magicians. 133 The Wise Men before the King.. 133 Daniel Comes before the King. 136 Daniel Named the Chief of the Magicians. 137 The Difference between the God of the Wise Men and the God of Daniel. 138 Balaam. 141 A Point of No Return. 143 Implications for Kamba Christians. 148 V. NEW TESTAMENT DEALINGS WITH EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR KAMBA CHRISTIANS. 151 Christ’s Methods of Dealing with Evil Spiritual Forces. 151 The Demonized Son (Mark 9:14-29). 151 The Gadarenes Demoniac (Luke 8:26-39). 157 The Demoniac in the Synagogue (Mark 1:12-28).. 164 iv Disciples’ Methods of Dealing with Evil Spiritual Forces. 167 Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9-24). 167 The Sons of Sceva (Acts 19:13-20). 171 Peter’s Shadow (Acts 5:1-16). 177 Paul’s Methods of Dealing with Evil Spiritual Forces and the Kamba Implications. 180 Elymas the Magician (Acts 13:8-12). 180 The Damsel, the Soothsayer (Acts 16:16-40). 187 Handkerchiefs and Aprons (Acts 19:10-12). 190 Implications for Kamba Christians. 195 VI. ELLEN G. WHITE’S WRITINGS CONCERNING EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR KAMBA CHRISTIANS. 200 Introduction. 200 How Satan Attacks Christians and Causes Fear. ..