Introduction to Missiology

Ch.21 Traditional Religions

An Historic Problem

Colonial Missionaries ignored the religious heritage of receptor people groups

Christianity was introduced in a form that reflected western worldview and culture

The long-term result has been reaction against non-indigenous Christianity reflected in syncretistic native church movements

Animistic Worldviews

Animism – beliefs in personal spiritual beingsAnimatism – beliefs in impersonal spiritual

forcesPrimal religion – historic beliefs held by a

people group from their beginningTraditional religion – religious beliefs

reflecting traditions passed down through many generations of a people group. The most common term.

Characteristics of African Traditional Religion There exists a remote High God that does not interact with

man. The physical world is charged with spiritual energy that

influences the flow of life.– This energy is distributed in a “lumpy” way.

The struggle is constant to balance and appease spiritual forces to avert disaster and elicit blessing.– Life often seems out of control.

Time centers on the past and present. The living dead are involved still in the daily affairs of

their village.

DiagramRemote High God

Living Dead Spirits

(impersonalized dead)

Created Spirits

Intermediaries

Realm of humanity and things

Compared to Christianity

Traditional religion is local and based on myth.

Christianity is universal and based on historic narrative.

Result is contrasting epistemologies– Esoteric truth claims anchored in myth– Propositional truth claims anchored in history

Culture Clash

When Christianity fails to address felt needs arising from within the traditional religious system, circumstances eventually provoke a separatist movement.

Reactions tend toward independent church movements with exotic theologies that reflect traditional religious sensibilities

Missiological Implications

Does African traditional religion form the base upon which to build Christian truth?

When does contextualization become syncretism?

What is the legitimate role of power encounters in contextualized Christianity?