Ancestral Beliefs and Practices PDF
Preview Ancestral Beliefs and Practices
AAnnddrreewwss UUnniivveerrssiittyy DDiiggiittaall CCoommmmoonnss @@ AAnnddrreewwss UUnniivveerrssiittyy Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 1988 AAnncceessttrraall BBeelliieeffss aanndd PPrraaccttiicceess:: aa PPrrooggrraamm ffoorr DDeevveellooppiinngg CChhrriissttiiaann FFaaiitthh AAmmoonngg AAddvveennttiissttss iinn ZZiimmbbaabbwwee Zebron Masukume Ncube Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Missions and World Christianity Commons RReeccoommmmeennddeedd CCiittaattiioonn Ncube, Zebron Masukume, "Ancestral Beliefs and Practices: a Program for Developing Christian Faith Among Adventists in Zimbabwe" (1988). Dissertation Projects DMin. 207. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/207 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses . Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. ProQuest Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT ANCESTRAL BELIEFS AND PRACTICES: A PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPING CHRISTIAN FAITH AMONG ADVENTISTS IN ZIMBABWE by Zebron Masukume Ncube Chair: Russell L. Staples Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH A Project Report Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: ANCESTRAL BELIEFS AND PRACTICES: A PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPING CHRISTIAN FAITH AMONG ADVENTISTS IN ZIMBABWE Name of researcher: Zebron Masukume Ncube Name and degree of faculty chair: Russell L. Staples, Ph.D. Date completed: June 1988. Problem Every Seventh-day Adventist pastor in Zimbabwe at one time or another has had to deal with a situation where church members consult their ancestors when threatened by sickness, death, misfortune, or a series of tragedies. The Adventist church correctly takes a strong stand against ancestral practices. Despite such a stand the ancetral practices have persisted among many Adventists. Paradoxically, while church members are given the correct teaching before baptism, many continue to regard the ancestors as the court of appeal in times of crisis. This study is undertaken to understand the nature of this Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. traditional religion in order to promote Christian faith among Adventists in Zimbabwe. Method A description and an analysis of the traditional religion is undertaken through utilization of the already abundant anthropological literature on this religion. An attempt is made to determine the basic tenets of the cult and the meaning the cult has to its adherents. This approach has helped to determine the reasons why many Adventists resort to this cult in times of difficulty. The Epistle to the Hebrews is used to provide answers to the human predicament. Results Investigation shows that this religion is operative on three levels: first, the level of Mwari, the high god, who is beyond the reach of individual members of society but who can be approached through mediums during a national crisis; second, the spirit world inhabited by ancestors, alien and avenging spirits; and third, the living members of society among whom the mediums of the spirit world operate. These levels form entities of power from which blessings and curses derive. Hence, the individual in society attempts to acquire, retain, and utilize appropriate powers in order to deal with the human predicament. Conclusions This study concludes that an understanding of the Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. portrayal of Christ in the Epistle to the Hebrews as creator, sustainer, son, heir, brother, pioneer, forerunner, prophet, priest, and king invalidates the role of the ancestors as an answer to the human predicament. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary ANCESTRAL BELIEFS AND PRACTICES: A PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPING CHRISTIAN FAITH AMONG ADVENTISTS IN ZIMBABWE A Project Report Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Zebron Masukume Ncube June 1988 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number 3096481 U__M I_® UMI Microform 3096481 Copyright 2003 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Description:The list of books you might like
