Faith of many colours: reflections on pentecostal and charismatic challenges in Zambia.
Date
2009
Authors
Banja, Madalitso Khulupirika
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Self Publication
Abstract
This book, Faith of many Colours; Reflections on Pentecostal and Charismatic Challenges in Zambia, is an attempt to present a balanced approach on many ecclesiastical issues which have been detrimental to the fundamental nature of Pentecostalism, and have affected the spiritual state of the general Pentecostal church today. My projection and presentation of this material is not intended to condemn the Pentecostal church. On the contrary it is meant to stimulate the Pentecostals to a “wake up call “ to restore the true identity of Pentecostalism, revisit its spiritual foundation and maintain its Christian qualities.
This book was born out of concern at the fact that in most Pentecostal and Charismatic circles there appears to be something amiss. Regarding this Karkkainen (2007:8) records:
Pentecostals are often critical of older churches' perceived complacency toward those church members who presumably live in conscious sin and yet are considered members in the church….While traditional churches may too easily dismiss this call as a Donatist bias-let alone those cases of Pentecostals' own lack of moral integrity being a far cry from their calls to holiness…
Given that the majority of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches were born out of dissatisfaction with mainline churches, it appears that Pentecostal churches have over the years developed their own fundamental shortcomings worthy of attention. It is not an overstatement to say there is growing and widespread discontent and disenchantment with the state of the church among Pentecostal-charismatic believers themselves. Part of the motivation for writing this book was generated and fuelled by the consistent encouraging comments I continued to receive from Pentecostals, clergy and laity alike, regarding the truth of my concern, a concern that many of them shared with me. It became clear that I was going to speak on behalf of many within the Pentecostal and Charismatic circles. It is my hope that this book will inspire honest and spiritually meaningful debate and discussion that will result in practical steps being taken to remedy and check this apparent spiritual decline.
I must mention also that the Evangelical non-Pentecostal denominations and the cultic
religious movements, do criticize and regard the Pentecostal church as a Christendom who have no spiritual significance and social influence in the communities around the world. The moral and spiritual state of the Contemporary Pentecostals leaves the Pentecostal church with an ugly spiritual portrait.
I do not pretend to be an expert in either Christian theology or Pentecostal history. However, inspite of this, it is my considered view that disagreement regarding issues raised in this book does not take away anything from the truth of the salient issues raised. Therefore, when all is said and done it is my prayer that the Lord God Almighty Himself gets the honour and praise for any positive impact that this book brings within the PCCs. To God be the Glory.
Description
Keywords
Pentecostalism.
Charismatic.
Reflections.
Prayer.
Worship.
Repentance.
Citation
Banja, M. K. (2009). Faith of Many Colours: Reflections on Pentecostal and Charismatic Challenges in Zambia