IMPACT OF CHARISMATOLOGY AND PENTECOSTALISM ON THIRD MILLENNIAL CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA
Abstract
The chapter presents a socio-ecclesial overview in which Pentecostal values and charismatic movements are becoming a predominant means of bringing socio-religious and material transformation in Africa in the light of Gospel values, inspiration of the Holy Spirit and guidance of the Church. Pentecostal experiences are significant forces in Africa and international community. However, the excessive growth of Pentecostalism in Africa portrays many misunderstandings, suspicion, tension, abuses and fear towards Catholic Charismatic movements and righteous use of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the society. This is creating unprecedented barrier to personal renewal, deeper evangelization and transformation of peoples. There are major areas in which the Church’s Teaching, spirituality and practice of Charismatic Pentecostalism need to be evaluated, inculturated and renewed respecting the African Traditional Heritage. Enriched by the Biblical and Church’s Intellectual Wisdom on Pneumatology and ‘Baptism in the Holy Spirit’ the Chapter explicates how any interpretation of these Pentecostal phenomena attempt to show the presence of the Spirit of God addressing the challenges of abuse of pneumatic gifts, vices of poverty, ignorance, disease, suffering, exploitation, injustice and underdevelopment. The Chapter makes a theological contribution on how Charismatic Pentecostalism in Africa has to be discerned, guided and manifested in the process of genuine deliverance, healing, liberating and transforming the weakening Christian faith and social contexts. The pneumatological wisdom and experiences are having tremendous transformative impact on the church and society in Africa. From this Christian Pentecostal analysis which appreciates the African traditional spirit-world, it is evident that Africa has profound spirituality to contribute to Charismatic Renewal Movement and to the international Pentecostal experience of renewing and transforming the world. Thus, the new Pentecostal manifestation in Africa must be taken seriously by the churches at all levels of evangelization and by governments at all levels of transforming society.
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