Coping with Evil in Ghanaian Pentecostalism

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" Coping with Evil in Ghanaian Pentecostalism "
Joseph Quayesi-Amakye

Document Type	:	AL
Record Number	:	1067032
Doc. No	:	LA110661
Call No	:	‭10.1163/1572543X-12341327‬
Language of Document	:	English
Main Entry	:	Joseph Quayesi-Amakye
Title & Author	:	Coping with Evil in Ghanaian Pentecostalism [Article]\ Joseph Quayesi-Amakye
Publication Statement	:	Leiden: Brill
Title of Periodical	:	Exchange
Date	:	2014
Volume/ Issue Number	:	43/3
Page No	:	254–272
Abstract	:	From songs, sermons and practices, this article examines the way Ghanaian Pentecostals address the question of evil and suffering. It approaches this from the perspective of common believers and leadership. The discussions reveal that there are multiple understandings, perceptions and interpretative tensions concerning how to cope with evil among Ghanaian Pentecostals. Whereas common believers approach it through what Opoku Onyinah calls ‘witchdemonology’, leadership considers this as inadequate. This is because common believers fail to understand the role of evil and suffering in human existence. As such they tend to promote the devil far above the Almighty God. According to leadership the presence of evil may not necessarily contradict God’s goodness and purpose. The paper concludes with some Biblical propositions in an attempt to resolve the apparent tension. From songs, sermons and practices, this article examines the way Ghanaian Pentecostals address the question of evil and suffering. It approaches this from the perspective of common believers and leadership. The discussions reveal that there are multiple understandings, perceptions and interpretative tensions concerning how to cope with evil among Ghanaian Pentecostals. Whereas common believers approach it through what Opoku Onyinah calls ‘witchdemonology’, leadership considers this as inadequate. This is because common believers fail to understand the role of evil and suffering in human existence. As such they tend to promote the devil far above the Almighty God. According to leadership the presence of evil may not necessarily contradict God’s goodness and purpose. The paper concludes with some Biblical propositions in an attempt to resolve the apparent tension.
Descriptor	:	debatable contextualisation
Descriptor	:	evil and suffering
Descriptor	:	false contextualisation
Descriptor	:	Ghanaian Pentecostals
Location & Call number	:	‭10.1163/1572543X-12341327‬