Born-Again, Morality and Transformation

224 Pages·2019·17.866 MB·English

by  Berry Muchemwa

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This study examines the relationship between Pentecostal and B
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charismatic Christianity and the spreading cancer of corruption in
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Zambia. The study was an ethnographic case study on two N BORN-AGAIN, MORALITY
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Pentecostal churches in Kitwe, Zambia. The study highlighted two
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AND TRANSFORMATION
aspects that could provide entry points for Pentecostal and A
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charismatic reform of ‘cultures’ of corruption: the spiritual N
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cosmology that regards spiritual experiences as personal and M
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individual salvation and the Pentecostal and charismatic emphasis on O
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the rebuilding of the individual. Despite the presence of these
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potential ‘anticorruption’ aspects, Pentecostal spirituality is not
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robust and aggressive enough to deal with corruption. Y
on Pentecostal Conceptualisation of Corruption
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Berry Muchemwa was born on June 5, 1969, in T
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Harare, Zimbabwe. He grew up and did both A
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his primary and secondary education in
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Chitungwiza, a town south-east of Harare. He
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studied philosophy (1990–1992) and theology R
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(1993–1996) at the Regional Major Seminary.
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He obtained an honours degree in religious studies from the
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University of Zimbabwe (1996). After his ordination, he worked in

several parishes in Harare before leaving for the Netherlands in
2004 to continue with his studies at Radboud University, Nijmegen
(MA Intercultural Theology, cum laude, 2006). In 2008, he
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obtained a certificate in religious formation from the Irish
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Missionary Union, Dublin, Ireland. Upon graduation he became an r
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Anglican (2009) and a lecturer and Dean of Studies at St. John the
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Evangelist Anglican Seminary in Kitwe, Zambia (2009–2017). He is u
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currently a priest and lecturer in practical/pastoral theology at the
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College of the Transfiguration, Makhanda (formerly
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Grahamstown), South Africa. He is married with two children. a

Born-Again, Morality and Transformation

An Ethnographic Case Study on Pentecostal
Conceptualisation of Corruption
Berry Muchemwa
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BORN-AGAIN, MORALITY AND TRANSFORMATION
An Ethnographic Case Study on Pentecostal Conceptualisationof Corruption
WEDERGEBOREN, MORALITEIT EN TRANSFORMATIE
Een etnografische onderzoeknaar een Pentecostale conceptualisering van
corruptie
(met een samenvatting in het Nederlands)
PROEFSCHRIFT
Ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor
aan de Protestantse Theologische Universiteit te Amsterdam-Groningen,
op gezag van de rector, prof. dr. M.M. Jansen,
ingevolge het besluit van het college voor promoties
in het openbaar te verdedigen te Amsterdam
opdonderdag, 5 december 2019om 15.45 uur
door
Berry Muchemwa
geboren op 5 juni 1969 te Harare, Zimbabwe
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Promotor:
Prof. Dr. M. Barnard
Co-promotor:
Dr. R. Brouwer
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ISBN: 978-94-028-1807-9
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For my family:
Chishala, Kudakwashe and Kupakwashe
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Contents
page
List of Illustrations ix
Abbreviations/Acronyms x
Acknowledgements xiii
1. Introduction 1
1.1 Background of the Study 1
1.1.1 The Context of the Study 5
1.1.2 The Purpose of the Study 6
1.2 Motivations for this Study 7
1.3 Theoretical Perspective 12
1.3.1 Defining Pentecostalism 12
1.3.2 Defining Christian Spirituality 14
1.3.3 Pentecostal Identity as Holiness 15
1.4 Practical Theology in the Context of Corruption 18
1.4.1 Defining the Discipline 19
1.4.2 The Context of Corruption 21
1.5 Chapters Overview 24
2. Methodological Reflections 27
2.1 Introduction 27
2.2 Pentecostalismin Zambia: Literature Review 27
2.3 Research Design 33
2.3.1 The Research as a Congregational Study 34
2.3.2 Ecclesiological Ethnography 36
2.3.3 What is a Case Study? 38
2.4 Research Methods on KitwePentecostal Churches 40
2.4.1 Rationale for Site Selection 40
2.4.2 Fieldwork and Data Gathering 42
2.4.3 Data Analysis, Storage and Preservation 48
2.4.4 Ethical Considerations 49
2.5 Summary and Reflection 51

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3. Corruption and New Pentecostal Faith 53
3.1 Introduction 53
3.2 Understanding Corruption: Faces, Shades and Boundaries 53
3.2.1 Theoretical Considerations 54
3.2.2 Socio-Cultural Dimensions 59
3.3 Religion and Corruption 61
3.3.1 Faith Communities and Social Engagement 62
3.3.2 Religion and the Perception of Corruption 65
3.4 The Economic Dimensions of Pentecostal Faith 67
3.4.1 Pentecostalism and the 68
3.4.2 Is There a Pentecostal Ethic? 70
3.5 Summary and Reflection 76
4. Case Study One Kwacha PAOG Church 79
4.1 Introduction 79
4.2 The Pentecostal Assemblies ofGod-Zambia 79
4.2.1 Historical Background 80
4.2.2 Church Structure and Governance 83
4.3 The Case Context 86
4.3.1 Kwacha Township 86
4.3.2 Kwacha-PAOG 88
4.4 The Church, Money and Transparency 92
4.5 Pentecostal Life and Corruption 94
4.5.1 The experience of being born-again 94
4.5.2 - 96
4.6 100
4.7 Summary and Reflection 103
5. Case Study Two Kitwe BLCI Church 105
5.1 Introduction 105
5.2 The Case Context 106
5.2.1 Bread of Life Church International: The Beginnings 106
5.2.2 Kitwe Bread of Life 111
5.2.3 114
5.3 Bread of Life Church, Prosperity and Money 118
5.3.1 118
5.3.2 Is It All About Money? 121
5.4 Corruption Discourse at Kitwe Bread of Life 125
5.4.1 Transparency and Discourse on Corruption 125
5.5 Summary and Reflection 128

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