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Ch. 5: Good and Evil Tim Wodarczyk
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Overview Christians in global South readily accept demons and evil spirits, and the exorcisms and healings that eradicate them Africa (mainly Nigeria) Asia (mainly Korea) Christians in global South readily accept demons and evil spirits, and the exorcisms and healings that eradicate them Africa (mainly Nigeria) Asia (mainly Korea)
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Scripture Not much of the New Testament would be left if all healings would be taken out Verses that are central there, are just marginal here Ephesians 6:12 Luke 8 (demon possessed man, Jairus’ Daughter, bleeding woman) Psalm 91 (a Psalm of protection from spirits, Devil quotes it) Psalm 31 (another Psalm of protection, Christ quotes) James addresses rules of spiritual healing Also Mark 16 and Luke 10 Not much of the New Testament would be left if all healings would be taken out Verses that are central there, are just marginal here Ephesians 6:12 Luke 8 (demon possessed man, Jairus’ Daughter, bleeding woman) Psalm 91 (a Psalm of protection from spirits, Devil quotes it) Psalm 31 (another Psalm of protection, Christ quotes) James addresses rules of spiritual healing Also Mark 16 and Luke 10
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Pagan Influences Most global South Christians today are only two or three generations removed from when Christ was first introduced to their family. Traditions and practices from their native religions still have a presence in their worship and understanding of God. Africa - Animism Asia - Buddism Most global South Christians today are only two or three generations removed from when Christ was first introduced to their family. Traditions and practices from their native religions still have a presence in their worship and understanding of God. Africa - Animism Asia - Buddism
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Devil is what causes troubles Global south is more familiar with struggles and persecutions (war, famine, genocide, corruption, tsunami in 2004) Readily attribute these struggles to the devil and evil spirits. Churches there emphasize these things Global south is more familiar with struggles and persecutions (war, famine, genocide, corruption, tsunami in 2004) Readily attribute these struggles to the devil and evil spirits. Churches there emphasize these things
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Devil is what causes troubles cont’d A gay man was suggested to be appointed a bishop in England An leader of the church in Nigeria claimed this was the work of the Devil and those endorsing it were agents of the Devil A southeastern Asian church leader made similar claims A gay man was suggested to be appointed a bishop in England An leader of the church in Nigeria claimed this was the work of the Devil and those endorsing it were agents of the Devil A southeastern Asian church leader made similar claims
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Spiritual Warfare North America A part of what we believe Exorcisms viewed as more of a fanatical occurrence Mainly only Charismatic churches emphasize a literal spiritual war North America A part of what we believe Exorcisms viewed as more of a fanatical occurrence Mainly only Charismatic churches emphasize a literal spiritual war Global South Central to what they believe Exorcisms are logical and legitimate All denominations emphasize literal spiritual war (even denominations that do not in the US) Global South Central to what they believe Exorcisms are logical and legitimate All denominations emphasize literal spiritual war (even denominations that do not in the US)
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Spiritual Warfare Prior to Christianity, global South had their own solutions to evil After being reached by missionaries, they eventually accepted Christ as the one genuine solution. They cling to Christ’s exorcisms and healings Prayer is more of a desperate plea for deliverance in the global South Prior to Christianity, global South had their own solutions to evil After being reached by missionaries, they eventually accepted Christ as the one genuine solution. They cling to Christ’s exorcisms and healings Prayer is more of a desperate plea for deliverance in the global South
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Witchcraft Again, way more recognized in global South Practice of Witchcraft is on the rise in Africa, along with other occult practices Many Christians see their faith as a deliverance from this too Again, way more recognized in global South Practice of Witchcraft is on the rise in Africa, along with other occult practices Many Christians see their faith as a deliverance from this too
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Healing Healing was a fundamental part of the Pagan belief systems that used to dominate this area Led to an easier acceptance of Christianity when they saw healings in scripture High practice of gifts of the Spirit in the South, including healings in Jesus’ name Sometimes eisegesis is done, but mostly these are done faithful to the text As well as Christ healing in the gospels, healings are also reinforced to the global South by Elijah and Elisha in the Old Testament Healing was a fundamental part of the Pagan belief systems that used to dominate this area Led to an easier acceptance of Christianity when they saw healings in scripture High practice of gifts of the Spirit in the South, including healings in Jesus’ name Sometimes eisegesis is done, but mostly these are done faithful to the text As well as Christ healing in the gospels, healings are also reinforced to the global South by Elijah and Elisha in the Old Testament
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Jesus: The Superior Healer Jesus is more versatile than other healers Jesus asks for faith, which shows wisdom For these reasons, Jesus beat out pagan healers, and why they trust put their trust in Jesus Jesus is more versatile than other healers Jesus asks for faith, which shows wisdom For these reasons, Jesus beat out pagan healers, and why they trust put their trust in Jesus
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“Mainstream” Worship in the global South Despite all this, there are more traditional churches in the South There is a booklet that goes into detail about all sicknesses, and in contrast, healings Testimonies and case studies But overall, it stresses a tolerance and respect for all those in Christ Despite all this, there are more traditional churches in the South There is a booklet that goes into detail about all sicknesses, and in contrast, healings Testimonies and case studies But overall, it stresses a tolerance and respect for all those in Christ
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Ancestral Guilt Something else very relevant to the South In most places, India particularly, your circumstances are based on how those you descended from lived their lives Caste system in India: 200 Million untouchables These groups of people accept Christianity because it does not hold them to their ancestors actions, which is something they don’t get form other faiths Something else very relevant to the South In most places, India particularly, your circumstances are based on how those you descended from lived their lives Caste system in India: 200 Million untouchables These groups of people accept Christianity because it does not hold them to their ancestors actions, which is something they don’t get form other faiths
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Quotes “ The African Christian is fearful: fear of the environment, fear of the neighbors, fear of sorcerers. Only Jesus Christ can free him. ” page 111 “ The biblical emphasis on healing rings so true to modern believers because it fits precisely into their cultural expectations and the healing traditions of pre- Christian societies page. ” 117 “ The topic of faith healing, along with other miraculous deeds of Jesus, comprised the most prominent place in their sermons, while ethical or pedagogical themes remained relatively inconspicuous. ” Page 114 “ The African Christian is fearful: fear of the environment, fear of the neighbors, fear of sorcerers. Only Jesus Christ can free him. ” page 111 “ The biblical emphasis on healing rings so true to modern believers because it fits precisely into their cultural expectations and the healing traditions of pre- Christian societies page. ” 117 “ The topic of faith healing, along with other miraculous deeds of Jesus, comprised the most prominent place in their sermons, while ethical or pedagogical themes remained relatively inconspicuous. ” Page 114
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