Event Type
Papers Read
Start Date
15-5-2018 11:45 AM
End Date
15-5-2018 12:30 PM
Description
Christ The Savior or Christ the Crook? Lessons from Malawian Pentecostal Interactions in the Political Sphere from 1994 to 2014.
Andrew Mkwaila
Abstract
Pentecostal churches in Malawi have found new space for involvement in political sphere since the advent of multiparty politics and a democratic dispensation. Focusing on national election cycles in the period 1994-2014, this paper describes how some Pentecostal figures and movements have consistently utilized this new liberty during campaign period to issue divine pronouncements and prophetic proclamations endorsing particular candidates for President. It is observed that many of these, often opposing, endorsements appear not to be undergirded by biblical reflection or ethical concern but rather by opportunistic considerations of financial remuneration and public prominence. It is argued that this has resulted in jeopardy to the salvific message of the Pentecostal, giving cause to community at large to ask of the Pentecostal movement is the Christ you preach a savior or a crook? The paper concludes with recommendations for alternative approaches to engagement in the public square that may be more likely to strengthen, rather than hinder, the proclamation of Christ as savior.
Bio
Andrew Mkwaila is currently a Lecturer in Intercultural Studies at the Malawi Assemblies of God University and the head of the Missions Department at Pan-African Theological Seminary in Lome, Togo. Since 2017 he has been the Chairperson of the Commission for Scholarly Writing and Research of the Association for Pentecostal Theological Education in Africa. Andrew has been a minister with the Assemblies of God since 2001 serving in pastoral ministry, missions and church planting in Malawi and in Michigan, USA. Since 2013 he has also been the Executive Pastor of the International Christian Assembly in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Study 12: “Christ The Savior or Christ the Crook? Lessons from Malawian Pentecostal Interactions in the Political Sphere from 1994 to 2014”
Christ The Savior or Christ the Crook? Lessons from Malawian Pentecostal Interactions in the Political Sphere from 1994 to 2014.
Andrew Mkwaila
Abstract
Pentecostal churches in Malawi have found new space for involvement in political sphere since the advent of multiparty politics and a democratic dispensation. Focusing on national election cycles in the period 1994-2014, this paper describes how some Pentecostal figures and movements have consistently utilized this new liberty during campaign period to issue divine pronouncements and prophetic proclamations endorsing particular candidates for President. It is observed that many of these, often opposing, endorsements appear not to be undergirded by biblical reflection or ethical concern but rather by opportunistic considerations of financial remuneration and public prominence. It is argued that this has resulted in jeopardy to the salvific message of the Pentecostal, giving cause to community at large to ask of the Pentecostal movement is the Christ you preach a savior or a crook? The paper concludes with recommendations for alternative approaches to engagement in the public square that may be more likely to strengthen, rather than hinder, the proclamation of Christ as savior.
Bio
Andrew Mkwaila is currently a Lecturer in Intercultural Studies at the Malawi Assemblies of God University and the head of the Missions Department at Pan-African Theological Seminary in Lome, Togo. Since 2017 he has been the Chairperson of the Commission for Scholarly Writing and Research of the Association for Pentecostal Theological Education in Africa. Andrew has been a minister with the Assemblies of God since 2001 serving in pastoral ministry, missions and church planting in Malawi and in Michigan, USA. Since 2013 he has also been the Executive Pastor of the International Christian Assembly in Lilongwe, Malawi.
