Lutheran theologians weigh up tradition and Pentecostalism in Africa

There is much diversity among Lutheran churches in Africa with regard to healing, exorcism, testifying, speaking in tongues and other practices associated with Pentecostal churches, yet there are Lutheran theological convictions, such as the priority of God's grace, that are key for assessing such practices.

This was the crux of a 6-11 July theological seminar of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) which brought together some 30 theologians from different parts of Africa and beyond to deliberate on the theme, "Critical Lutheran Beliefs and Practices in Relation to Neo-Pentecostalism."

Organised by the LWF Department for Theology and Studies (DTS), the seminar hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) in Soweto, South Africa, was the sixth in the DTS Theology in the Life of the Church (TLC) study series.

In his keynote address, Prof J Kwabena Asomoah-Gyadu, Trinity Theological Seminary in Accra, Ghana, distinguished between classical Pentecostalism and more recent neo-Pentecostal emphases on a theology of prosperity and upward mobility.

"The accessibility to and democratisation of charisma is a key factor
bringing life into churches perceived to have turned spiritually stagnant and overly-cerebral," he said.

Asomoah-Gyadu pointed out that churches in the New Testament were "thoroughly charismatic", in how they experienced God's empowering presence. He underlined the diverse, multi-faceted nature of Pentecostalism and charismatic renewal movements, saying, "Every such renewal movement is potentially a new church,
depending on how it is managed."


Biblical Interpretations

Dr Sarojini Nadar, University of Kwazulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa cautioned that sola scriptura (by Scripture alone) as understood by many neo-Pentecostals leads to a 'four Is' approach that views the Bible as inerrant,
infallible, inspired and immediate, rather than the Christological hermeneutic of Luther. She advocated approaches to biblical interpretations that take seriously the transforming work of the Holy Spirit and that affirm rather than deny life,
for example, for women in abusive relationships.

Argentine theologian Dr Guillermo Hansen, drawing on Latin American experiences of Pentecostalism critiqued its emphasis on sanctifying all that is profane. For Luther, in contrast, sanctification is "a matter of faith and love through the
created orders" of politics, economics and family life.

"The Holy Spirit "fulfills through our bodies and minds the commandments of the second table", affirming and fulfilling all of creation, he noted.

Participatory Worship

Emphasising liturgy as a drama that moves from Good Friday to Easter, Bishop Musawenkosi D Biyela, ELCSA Eastern Diocese, pointed out that Pentecostals focus mostly just on Easter, rather than on how the Cross transforms suffering today.

"There is need for a good balance between structure (order, dignity) and
ecstasy. Worship needs to be participatory, not just a one-person show by the pastor."

He also cautioned against so-called miracle crusades. "Did Jesus ever advertise his miracles?"

Rev Gertrud Toensing, Lutheran Theological Institute in Pietermaritzburg, provided a critical analysis of theology in popular Pentecostal praise songs, which increasingly are used in many Lutheran churches.

In group discussions throughout the seminar, participants underscored the church's important role in addressing people's actual needs, developing more participatory worship, and honouring the diverse gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.

"A lot of people have left Lutheran churches because they feel they were not allowed to exercise their gifts of the Spirit," remarked Grace Ufan Friday, an evangelist in the Lutheran Church of Nigeria.

While some of the African Lutheran churches have regular healing services and other charismatic practices, such as in Madagascar and Ethiopia, others are more hesitant.

"We need to change our churches," insisted Rev Faith Lugazia, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.

For Rev Yako Galana Babusa, Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church, "It's the false testifying that I have problems with; how can this be managed?"

Namibian theologian Dr Paul John Isaak, currently teaching at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland, pointed out that right belief and practice are not sufficient, but need to also include "right-heartedness" toward God and others.

All agreed that more attention should be given to teaching especially laity about the Holy Spirit and the wide array of the gifts of the Spirit.