Mika Vähäkangas

Manfred Ernst (ed.), Globalization and the Re-Shaping of Christianity in the Pacific Islands

Excerpt from Foreword There has been considerable anticipation by the Pacific Church community and ecumenical organisations of Dr Ernst’s book. It is a sentiment equally shared by overseas partners, mission boards and world organisations. This in itself is clear evidence of its importance and the first indicator of its assured status as one of the most important and needed piece of research done for our churches and the ecumenical movement in our region. The book is a must for all who genuinely desire to understand why our religious landscape looks the way it is today. It is an essential resource for all ecumenical organisations and theological training institutions. Given that we are still in the initial stages of our journey in the 21 century, this book is a timely contribution in our efforts to chart and navigate our way forward.

Index of Names and Subjects

Theological and Philosophical Responses to Syncretism: Beyond the Mirage of Pure Religion by Patrik Fridlund and Mika Vahakangas (eds.) elaborates the consequences of admitting the unavoidable syncretic nature of religions in theology and philosophy of religion.

Theological and Philosophical Responses to Syncretism: Beyond the Mirage of Pure Religion

Theological and Philosophical Responses to Syncretism: Beyond the Mirage of Pure Religion by Patrik Fridlund and Mika Vahakangas (eds.) elaborates the consequences of admitting the unavoidable syncretic nature of religions in theology and philosophy of religion.

Negotiating Religious Traditions : Babu wa Loliondo’s Theology of Healing

Retired Lutheran pastor Ambilikile Mwasapila became the most celebrated healer in Eastern Africa for half a year in 2011. His healing consists of an herbal potion, brewed according to the recipe he got from God in dreams. According to Rev. Mwasapila, the potency of the medicine stems from the presence of the Word of God in it. It is efficient only when administered by him. He perceives himself as a prophet called by God to alleviate sufferings of humankind in a world pestered by illnesses sent by Satan. His theology of healing has clear Lutheran sacramental theological elements combined with views from African traditional medicine and Christian charismatic faith healing. His cosmology is deeply rooted in African views of the spirit world interpreted through Pentecostal-charismatic demonology. The ideas underlying his ministry can be seen as an oral charismatic Lutheran contextual theology lived out in practice.

The Prosperity Gospel in the African Diaspora: Unethical Theology or Gospel in Context?

The prosperity gospel in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Hosanna Chapel, Helsinki, Finland, builds primarily on African indigenous worldviews rather than serving as a theological justification for capitalism. It is a contextual African interpretation of the gospel in a situation of tension between the expectations of extended families back home, those of the new society in which the immigrants find themselves, and the church. The African experience and heritage come to the fore especially in the strong emphasis placed on interpersonal relations, particularly with family members and God, as an essential part of prosperity. Naive faith in the bliss of equal opportunities within capitalism is moderated by differentiation between realistic economic expectations and the special blessings that are endowed upon believers. When condemning the prosperity gospel wholesale, there is the risk of misinterpreting non-Western theologies and of morally castigating the weakest for their attempts to survive global capitalism instead of combating its oppressive structures. (Less)