This book investigates the question of human flourishing in African New Pentecostalism in South Africa. In a context marked by deep economic inequality and high unemployment, many poor South Africans rely on African New Pentecostal prophets to bring spiritual meaning to their lives. Collectively, and using various theoretical frameworks and methods, the authors of this volume analyze and critique the concept of this pursuit, and ask what can be done to challenge African New Pentecostal prophets to respond effectively. The book will be of interest to academics, pastors, researchers and university students in Pentecostalism in Africa, Missiology and Science of Religion, Sociology and Psychology of Religion and the public role of religion in South Africa and beyond. "This volume provides a uniquely fresh perspective on African Pentecostalism by linking three important discursive fields: human flourishing, charismatic Pentecostalism, and decoloniality. The volume provides important insights into the normative notions brought forward by prophetic Pentecostalism on what constitutes a good life. It thereby substantially advances the debate on Pentecostalism and prosperity. Even though the book zooms in on South Africa, its chapters bear relevance far beyond. The volume is therefore a must-read for anyone wanting to engage with current trends in African Christianity." --Philipp Öhlmann, Associated Senior Researcher, Center for Rural Development, Humboldt University; Research Fellow, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Botswana "This is an intellectually stimulating, original, and thought-provoking contribution to the field of African Pentecostal Studies. It has not failed to deliver and must be read to understand new creative interpretations of the movements by African Christian scholars." --Chammah Kaunda, Assistant Professor, Yonsei University, South Korea; Extraordinary Professor, University of the Western Cape, South Africa "This important book creatively explores human flourishing in the context of New Prophetic Pentecostalism in Africa. It should be read by all who are interested in the most recent developments of Southern African Pentecostalism and those concerned about genuine human flourishing in the church and wider society." --Dr. Simo Frestadius, Dean of Research, Regents Theological College; Executive Director, Institute for Pentecostal Theology; Chair, European Pentecostal Theological Association

"This book investigates the question of human flourishing in African New Pentecostalism in South Africa. In a context marked by deep economic inequality and high unemployment, many poor South Africans rely on African New Pentecostal prophets to bring spiritual meaning to their lives. Collectively, and using various theoretical frameworks and methods, the authors of this volume analyze and critique the concept of this pursuit, and ask what can be done to challenge African New Pentecostal prophets to respond effectively. The book will be of interest to academics, pastors, researchers and university students in Pentecostalism in Africa, Missiology and Science of Religion, Sociology and Psychology of Religiont, and the public role of religion in South Africa and beyond"--

"This book investigates the question of human flourishing in African New Pentecostalism in South Africa. In a context marked by deep economic inequality and high unemployment, many poor South Africans rely on African New Pentecostal prophets to bring spiritual meaning to their lives. Collectively, and using various theoretical frameworks and methods, the authors of this volume analyze and critique the concept of this pursuit, and ask what can be done to challenge African New Pentecostal prophets to respond effectively. The book will be of interest to academics, pastors, researchers and university students in Pentecostalism in Africa, Missiology and Science of Religion, Sociology and Psychology of Religiont, and the public role of religion in South Africa and beyond"--

This book is a pneumatological reflection on the use and abuse of the Spirit in light of the abuse of religion within South African Pentecostalism. Both emerging and well-established scholars of South African Pentecostalism are brought together to reflect on pneumatology from various approaches, which includes among others: historical, biblical, migration, commercialisation of religion, discernment of spirits and human flourishing. From a broader understanding of the function of the Holy Spirit in different streams of Pentecostalism, the argument is that this function has changed with the emergence of the new Prophetic churches in South Africa. This is a fascinating insight into one of the major emerging worldwide religious movements. As such, it will be of great interest to academics in Pentecostal Studies, Christian Studies, Theology, and Religious Studies as well as African Studies and the Sociology of Religion.

This book explores recent developments in South African Pentecostalism, focusing on new prophetic churches. The chapters engage with a number of paradigm shifts in Christology, identified as complementing Christ, competing with Christ, removing Christ and replacing Christ. What are the implications of these shifts? Does it mean that believers no longer believe in Christ but in their leaders? Does it shift believers’ faith towards materiality than the person of Christ? This volume will be valuable for scholars of African Christianity and in particular those interested in the neo-prophetic movement and Christology in a South African context.

In 2006, the contemporary American Pentecostal movement celebrated its 100th birthday. Over that time, its African American sector has been markedly influential, not only vis-à-vis other branches of Pentecostalism but also throughout the Christian church. Black Christians have been integrally involved in every aspect of the Pentecostal movement since its inception and have made significant contributions to its founding as well as the evolution of Pentecostal/charismatic styles of worship, preaching, music, engagement of social issues, and theology. Yet despite its being one of the fastest growing segments of the Black Church, Afro-Pentecostalism has not received the kind of critical attention it deserves. Afro-Pentecostalism brings together fourteen interdisciplinary scholars to examine different facets of the movement, including its early history, issues of gender, relations with other black denominations, intersections with popular culture, and missionary activities, as well as the movement’s distinctive theology. Bolstered by editorial introductions to each section, the chapters reflect on the state of the movement, chart its trajectories, discuss pertinent issues, and anticipate future developments. Contributors: Estrelda Y. Alexander, Valerie C. Cooper, David D. Daniels III, Louis B. Gallien, Jr., Clarence E. Hardy III, Dale T. Irvin, Ogbu U. Kalu, Leonard Lovett, Cecil M. Robeck, Jr., Cheryl J. Sanders, Craig Scandrett-Leatherman, William C. Turner, Jr., Frederick L. Ware, and Amos Yong

This book is an interdisciplinary study of the relationship between prophecy and politics in South African Pentecostalism. The role and the power of prophecy in enhancing the presence of politicians in the church square are unpacked through historical examples, as well as case studies of contemporary prophets. Solomon Kgatle argues that the influence of prophecy in politics has the potential to weaken the prophetic voice of the church in general and the Pentecostal movement in particular. He proposes a Pentecostal political theology of prophecy. This theology is developed by taking into cognizance the theoretical and theological frameworks of prophetic imagination and pneumatological imagination. In addition, this theology seeks a balance between prophecy and power and prophecy and sovereignty.

Public Righteousness: The Performative Ethics of Human Flourishing is driven by the idea that part of what manifests as a disorderly display of virtue in public culture is underlined by the desire to see a more righteous society and an expression of the will to enact such an ideal world into reality. This book re-structures the ferment of such public displays and fashions an ethic that overturns the ostentatious signals of self-righteousness and the fierce contest of animating visions. This book engages the work of social ethicist Nimi Wariboko to explore an idea of public righteousness. In place of smug superiority and phony pieties, the performative ethics that inaugurate this public righteousness offer an intellectual and moral competence that establishes rectitude and culminates in human flourishing.

In this book, Ogbu Kalu provides an overview of Pentecostalism in Africa. He shows the amazing diversity of the faith, which flourishes in many different forms in diverse local contexts, and demonstrates that African Pentecostalism is distinctly African in character, not imported from the West.

Across Africa, Christianity is thriving in all shapes and sizes. But one particular strain of Christianity prospers more than most -- Pentecostalism. Pentecostals believe that everyone can personally receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit such as prophecy or the ability to speak in tongues. In Africa, this kind of faith, in which the supernatural is a daily presence, is sweeping the continent. Today, about 107 million Africans are Pentecostals -- and the numbers continue to rise. In this book, Ogbu Kalu provides the first ever overview of Pentecostalism in Africa. He shows the amazing diversity of the faith, which flourishes in many different forms in diverse local contexts. While most people believe that Pentecostalism was brought to Africa and imposed on its people by missionaries, Kalu argues emphatically that this is not the case. Throughout the book, he demonstrates that African Pentecostalism is distinctly African in character, not imported from the West. With an even-handed approach, Kalu presents the religion's many functions in African life. Rather than shying away from controversial issues like the role of money and prosperity in the movement, Kalu describes malpractice when he sees it. The only book to offer a comprehensive look at African Pentecostalism, this study touches upon the movement's identity, the role of missionaries, media and popular culture, women, ethics, Islam, and immigration. The resulting work will prove invaluable to anyone interested in Christianity outside the West.