UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA FACULTY OF HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT OF BIBLICAL AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES RESEARCH TOPIC FOR PHD STUDIES TITLE A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ‘SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY’ (RM 13:1) AMONG SOME AFRICAN PENTECOSTAL PREACHERS IN ZAMBIA STUDENT: LORDWELL SIAME STUDENT NUMBER: 14212481 SUPERVISORS: PROFESSOR ERNEST VAN ECK DOCTOR ZORODZAI DUBE Dedication I dedicate this piece of work to my beloved late wife Veronica Simwanza-Siame, for her love and care. Her unwavering support in my quest to attain the highest level of education cannot go unnoticed. Additionally, this dissertation is dedicated to my late dad and mum, who have not lived to see the fruits of their labour. My parents had a dream of who they wanted me to be, as such they always encouraged me to work hard at school. I recall dad’s constant reminder that “Isuukulu tata wane, weso nu nyoko” (my son, school is your mum and dad) and mum would agree with him saying, “Lordwell, mwanane, cingatenga ne nyoko ntasambilila, lelo nawa na minso ni njelu ukumanya kuno mwelimonye Isukulu anzima- limbicila tata wane” (Lordwell, my son, I may not be educated, but I am wise enough to see and affirm that education is good- keep pushing hard). The echoes of these words have let me reach this far; and I can only say, continue resting in eternal peace my advisors. i Acknowledgements Many people and institutions have contributed immeasurably to my academic journey. However, I would like to particularly express my profound gratitude to my supervisors Prof. Ernest van Eck and Dr. Zorodzai Dube who have travelled with me on this path. Bembas (Zambian dialect) say, “Uwakwensha ubushiku, bamutasha nga bwacha” literally translating that “The one Wwho escorts you in the night, must be thanked at dawn.” Prof Van Eck and Dr. Dube walked with me on this sleepless journey up to the end. I truly value their insights, corrections, criticisms and humour during the period I sat under their tutorage. Indeed it was a journey worth undertaking, especially with the right kind of teachers alongside. Furthermore, I would like to acknowledge the massive support I received from the United church of Zambia (UCZ), Lusaka presbytery, under the leadership of Bishop Rodwell Mwape Chomba and the synod office for granting me permission to pursue further studies. Many thanks go to the Rev. Dr. Simon Muwowo and Rev. Dr. Luckson Chibuye who encouraged and motivated me to pursue studies at the University of Pretoria. I also, want to acknowledge the Rev. Dr. Kangwa Jonathan, the registrar at the UCZ-University for his comments and insights that later shaped my research proposal out of which this study has emerged and Mr. John Musanya for proof reading my work. Many thanks go to my colleagues both clergy and laity within my church and other denominations for the motivations and encouragement they accorded me during my studies. I cannot forget to particularly mention Rev. Dr. Kuzipa Nalwamba my all-weather friend, sister and mentor, Rev. Stephen Simumba for believing in me. I also thank my two former New Testament lecturers Rev. Prof. Teddy Kalongo and Rev. Jeremiah Chenge who encouraged me to pursue biblical studies at post graduate level. Thanks too to the Justo Mwale University management who helped me with access to their library and the Bethel UCZ congregation who had to endure the absence of their minister each time I was required to be in Pretoria or in the library at Justo Mwale. My special thanks goes to the respondents of this study who took time to provide information that has been used in this study. I acknowledge the support I received from the University of Pretoria members of staff too numerous to mention, who in one way or the other contributed to the success of my academic journey. I also acknowledge the support I received from my children; Cecilia-Towera, Salifya-Limba, Tusankine and Zipa-Winile who were deprived of my presence whenever I was glued to books. May this piece of work inspire you my beloved children to work extra hard at school. Lastly, I salute my angel and God given friend, my late wife- Veronica, who at the time I was working on this dissertation was unwell and consequently died before my graduation. Veronica endured my absence and together we financed my studies out of our meagre family resources, depriving our family of the good life they could have had. Gratia and Bravo, Sweetheart! May your sweet soul continue resting in eternal peace. ii List of abbreviations AACC All Africa Council of Churches AD Anno Domino AIC African Initiated Churches ATR African Traditional Religions BCE Before Common Era CCZ Council of Churches in Zambia CSO Central Statistical Office EFZ Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia ICOZ Independent Churches Organization of Zambia LMS London Missionary Society MMD Movement for Multiparty Democracy NHoP National House of Prayers PEMS Paris Evangelical Missions PF Patriotic Front SSC Social Scientific Criticism UCZ United Church of Zambia UPND United Party for National Development VMI Victory Ministries International WCC World Council of Churches WOFBI Word of Faith Bible Institute iii ZCCB Zambia Conference for Catholic Bishops ZNBC Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation iv Abstract This study focuses on a critical analysis of the usage of 'submit to the governing authority' (Romans 13:1) among some African Pentecostal preachers in Zambia. The study deals with the role ordinary citizens in Zambia play in keeping their political leadership accountable, or otherwise, by looking at how biblical texts in Zambia are used in the democratic dispensation. In Zambia, Romans 13:1-7 is widely used to support the political status quo; any political government that comes into power is assumed to have been ushered in by the will of God. Hence, in some circles it is assumed that whatever these leaders say or do is divinely proclaimed, therefore, criticising them is tantamount to fighting the will of God. African Pentecostal preachers are widely accused of being the ones championing this kind of teaching. Thus, the research questions; how do African Pentecostal preachers in Zambia understand and interpret Romans 13:1-7? Is their interpretation of the text legitimate? In my view, the way scriptures are interpreted, coupled with the consciousness drawn thereof, they influence citizens actions and decisions. Therefore, the way in which an understanding of Romans 13:1-7 by African Pentecostal preachers in Zambia is arrived at and grounded is the concern this study has thoroughly investigated. In Chapter 2, a summary is given on how some selected scholars have interpreted and analysed Romans 13:1-7, using different lenses and approaches. This history of interpretation of Romans 13:1-7 will then be used to identify the research gap that will be addressed in the study. In Chapter 3 a discussion on the theoretical perspectives of this study has been given. The chapter begins with a discussion on the meaning of social-scientific criticism (SSC), and an overview or description of social-scientific criticism. Secondly, in this chapter a detailed discussion on “African enchanted worldview” and “field consciousness” theories have been given. The description of the above-mentioned theoretical perspectives is necessary because it will be against this understanding of the approach that the understanding and interpretation of Romans 13:1-7 among African Pentecostal preachers in Zambia will be undertaken. In Chapter 4 an analysis of Romans 13:1-7 is presented in order to uncover its possible original intended (contextual) meaning and purpose. This is done by discussing the socio-cultural-, economic- and political situation in which Paul’s letter to the Romans v was applicable. In order to achieve this, the study engages with social-scientific models and theories that are designed to unlock the meaning entrenched in ancient texts. Chapter 5 provides an overview on the role African Pentecostals play in the Zambian political dispensation. The Chapter has given a brief history of Pentecostalism and African Pentecostalism respectively. Furthermore, the chapter paints a vivid picture of the church and state relationship championed by African Pentecostals in Zambia. Additionally, the Chapter attempts to outline the impact of such church and state relations model on the democratic dispensation of the country. Chapter 6 provides an overview on how some selected African Pentecostal preachers understand and interpret Romans 13:1-7. Using “enchanted worldview” and “field consciousness” analytical lenses, the chapter analyses how these selected preachers interpret and understand Romans 13:1-7 and how such interpretation and understanding impacts on the democratization of the country: Zambia. Chapter 7 outlines the findings of the study, as well as recommendations for further research. vi Table of contents CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Problem statement .................................................................................... 1 1.3 Motivation .................................................................................................. 3 1.4 Literature review ........................................................................................ 3 1.4.1 Pentecostalism .......................................................................................... 3 1.4.2 History