“WORLDS OF THE SPIRIT”. EXPLORING AFRICAN SPIRITUAL AND NEW PENTECOSTAL CHURCH RELATIONS IN BOTSWANA by JACOB BRYAN BORN submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY In the subject MISSIOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: PROF T S MALULEKE NOVEMBER 2009 SUMMARY Similar to other countries in southern Africa, the relationship between African Spiritual Churches and New Pentecostal Churches in Botswana has been characterized by considerable tension and mutual distrust. Although both movements highlight the third person of the Trinity, the Spirit of God, their followers view the world around them very differently. This study has investigated the relationship between these two types of churches by focusing on their efforts to produce unique ideologies of spiritual power in relation to the two major ideologies in the Botswana context, namely the reified Setswana worldview and the globalizing forces of Western modernity. In order to provide a careful analysis of the relationship between these movements, two churches from each group were chosen as representatives. The Hermon Church and Revelation Blessed Peace Church served as examples for the African Spiritual Churches, while Goodnews Ministries and Bible Life Ministries were the New Pentecostal subjects. Primary research methods included interviews with church leadership, questionnaires for members of each church and participant observation. Church origins, biblical hermeneutics, healing and deliverance rituals, and approaches to cultures and covenants formed the key areas of study. Creating unique “worlds of the Spirit” by means of innovative tactics, both types of churches seek to enable their followers to live well as they produce their contextualized ideologies of power. However, even though both movements lay claim to the Spirit of God as their source of power, the distinctive ideologies emerging from their sermons, technologies, rituals and symbols have brought them into conflict with one another. For African Spiritual Churches, the Spirit of God meets people in the midst of life’s struggles, providing healing and wholeness in all relationships. Their willingness to adopt certain elements of the reified Setswana worldview is a major issue in the conflict with New Pentecostal Churches. For New Pentecostals, the Spirit breaks all covenants made in the past, and empowers “born again” believers to succeed in a i modern environment filled with opportunities and challenges. The key missiological concern of this study is to explore the unique efforts of these movements to contextualize the gospel message for Botswana. Key Terms: African Spiritual Church; New Pentecostal Church; Botswana Culture; Contextualization; Ideology, Spiritual Power; Hermeneutics; Church Identity; Healing; Deliverance; Covenant; Witchcraft; Ritual, Symbolism, Pneumatology ii Student Number: 3317-825-9 I declare that “Worlds Of The Spirit”. Exploring African Spiritual And New Pentecostal Church Relations In Botswana is my own work and that all the sources I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. _________________________ ___________________ SIGNATURE DATE (REV J B Born) iii TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY PAGE ……………………………………………………………………… i TABLE OF CONTENTS ………………………………………………………………. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS …………………………………………………………….. x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ………………………………………………………….. xii CHAPTER ONE: A COLLISION OF “WORLDS” 1.1 Introduction …………………………………………………..……………………. 1 1.2 Background To The Thesis ………………………………………………….….. 2 1.2.1 Rationale For The Topic …………………………………………………… 2 1.2.2 Nomenclature ………………………………………………………………. 6 1.2.3 Botswana In Context ………………………………………………………. 9 1.3 Hypothesis And Research Methodology ……………………………..……….. 12 1.3.1 Statement Of The Problem ………………………………………………. 12 1.3.2 Hypothesis ………………………………………………………………….. 14 1.3.3 Missiological Issues ……………………………………………………….. 15 1.3.4 Research Methods …………………………………………………………. 18 1.3.4.1 Research Approach ………………………………………………… 18 1.3.4.1.1 An Eclectic Process ……………………………………… 18 1.3.4.1.2 Field Work And Questionnaires ………………………… 20 1.3.4.2 Assumptions ………………………………………………………… 22 1.3.4.3 Challenges ………………………………………………………….. 23 1.4 Literature Review: Relations Of Power ………………………………………… 24 1.4.1 The Importance Of Power ……………………………………………….... 24 1.4.2 The Discourse Of Power (Michel Foucault) ……………………………… 27 1.4.3 Strategies And Tactics (Michel de Certeau) …………………………….. 29 1.4.4 Hidden Transcripts (James Scott) ………………………………………… 32 1.4.5 The Long Conversation (John and Jean Comaroff) ……………………. 33 1.4.6 Linking The Spiritual And Temporal ……………………………………… 37 1.5 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………… 38 CHAPTER TWO: ORIGINS AND THE SPIRIT 2.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………... 40 iv 2.2 Theories Of Causation ……………………………………………………………. 42 2.2.1 ASC Origins And “Cultures Of Hybridity” ………………………………… 42 2.2.1.1 Materialist Perspective …………………………………………….. 43 2.2.1.2 Functionalist Perspective ………………………………………….. 44 2.2.1.3 Idealist Perspective ………………………………………………… 45 2.2.2 NPC Origins And A “New Vision” …………………………………………. 46 2.2.3 Summary – A Synthesis Of Perspectives ………………………………… 48 2.3 Origins Of The Churches In Context …..……………………………………….. 49 2.3.1 A Meeting Of Two Worlds ………………………………….……………… 49 2.3.2 Missionary Influence ……………………………………….………………. 51 2.3.3 Labor Migration ………………………………………..….………………… 54 2.3.4 Witchcraft and Sorcery ………………………………………..…………… 55 2.3.5 Independence ………………….. ……………………..…………………… 56 2.3.6 External Ecclesiastical Influences …………………….. ………………… 59 2.4 The Founders And Their Churches ……………..…..………………………….. 61 2.4.1 Hermon Church ………………………………………..……………………. 61 2.4.2 Revelation Blessed Peace …………………..…..………………..………. 66 2.4.3 Goodnews Ministries ………………….. ………….………..……………… 68 2.4.4 Bible Life Ministries ………………….. …………….……..………………. 72 2.5 Comparing Origins And “Call Stories” ………………………………………..… 73 2.5.1 Background Of Leaders ………………………………………..…………. 73 2.5.2 Call Experience ………………….. …………………..……………………. 75 2.5.3 Opposition ………………….. …………………..………………………….. 78 2.6 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………… 79 CHAPTER THREE: POWER AND IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION 3.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………….. 84 3.2 The Dynamics Of Identity Construction ………………………………………… 86 3.2.1 Identity Construction: A Definition ………………………………………… 86 3.2.2 Identity Construction and Symbol ………………………………………… 87 3.3 Establishing An Identity Of The Spirit ………………………………………….. 88 3.3.1 The Hermon Church Identity ……………………………………………… 88 3.3.1.1 A Community For Batswana ……………………………………… 88 3.3.1.2 A Community Of Peace …………………………………………… 90 3.3.1.3 Visibly United ………………………………………………………. 94 3.3.1.4 Spiritually Connected ……………………………………………… 97 3.3.1.5 Hopeful In Struggle ………………………………………………… 100 3.3.1.6 Summary – The Hermon Church Identity ……………………….. 102 v 3.3.2 The Goodnews Ministries Identity ………………………………………… 103 3.3.2.1 Modern, Globally Connected and Prosperous ………………….. 104 3.3.2.2 “Born Again” Revivalists …………………………………………… 106 3.3.2.3 Confident Of The Spirit’s Power ………………………………….. 108 3.3.2.4 Evangelistic …………………………………………………………. 112 3.3.2.5 Highly Expressive Worship ……………………………………….. 114 3.3.2.6 Summary - The Goodnews Ministries Identity …………………… 116 3.4 Image Of God And Church Identity …………………………………………….. 117 3.4.1 Setswana View Of God ……………………………………………………. 118 3.4.2 Hermon Church Image Of God …………………………………………… 119 3.4.2.1 God The Father …………………………………………………….. 119 3.4.2.2 Jesus The Son ……………………………………………………… 120 3.4.2.3 Spirit Of God ………………………………………………………… 121 3.4.3 Goodnews Ministries Image Of God ……………………………………… 122 3.4.3.1 God The Father …………………………………………………….. 123 3.4.3.2 Jesus The Son ……………………………………………………… 124 3.4.3.3 Spirit Of God ………………………………………………………… 125 3.4.4 Comparative Analysis ……………………………………………………… 126 3.5 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………… 127 CHAPTER FOUR: HERMENEUTICS AND THE SPIRIT 4.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………… 131 4.2 Theoretical Approach To Hermeneutics ……………………………………….. 132 4.2.1 Experience-Based Hermeneutics ………………………………………… 132 4.2.2 Orality-Based Communal Hermeneutics ………………………………… 134 4.2.3 Creative And Spiritual Hermeneutics ……………………………………. 136 4.3 The Bible In The Hermon Church ……………………………………………….. 138 4.3.1 Description Of The HC Preaching Event ………………………………… 139 4.3.2 Analysis Of The HC Preaching Event ……………………………………. 141 4.3.2.1 Rhetorical Features And Song ……………………………………. 141 4.3.2.2 Sermon Preparation ……………………………………………….. 143 4.3.3 HC Approach Towards The Bible ………………………………………… 145 4.3.3.1 Relationship Of Spirit And Word ………………………………….. 145 4.3.3.2 Hermeneutics Of The Spirit ……………………………………….. 147 4.3.3.3 Relationship Between Testaments ………………………………. 150 4.3.3.4 Re-living The Text ………………………………………………….. 152 4.3.3.5 Prophetic Revelation And The Biblical Text …………………….. 154 4.3.4 Summary ……………………………………………………………………. 155 vi 4.4 The Bible In Goodnews Ministries ………………………………………………. 156 4.4.1 Description Of The GM Preaching Event ………………………………… 157 4.4.1.1 Introduction To The Word Of God ………………………………… 157 4.4.1.2 Preaching The Word Of God ……………………………………… 159 4.4.2 Analysis Of The GM Preaching Event ……………………………………. 161 4.4.2.1 Rhetorical Features ………………………………………………… 161 4.4.2.2 Role Of The Congregation ……………………………………….… 162 4.4.2.3 Sermon Preparation ………………………………………………... 163 4.4.3 GM Approach Towards The Bible ………………………………………… 164 4.4.3.1 Spirit, Word And Testimony ……………………………………….. 164 4.4.3.2 The Word Of God And Faith ………………………………………. 165 4.4.3.3 Hermeneutic of Empowerment