Through its strength in numbers and remarkable presence in politics, Pentecostalism has become a force to reckon with in twenty-first-century Zambian society. Yet, some fundamental questions in the study of Zambian Pentecostalism and politics remain largely unaddressed by African scholars. Situated within an interdisciplinary perspective, this unique volume explores the challenge of continuity in the Zambian Pentecostal understanding and practice of spiritual power in relation to political engagement. Chammah J. Kaunda argues that the challenge of Pentecostal political imagination is found in the inculturation of spiritual power with political praxis. The result of this inculturation is that Zambian Pentecostals sacralize the political authority of state power through the charisma of the national president and other major political personalities. It has also contributed to the construction of Zambian Pentecostal leadership that is deified rather than leadership that is formed through the struggles and experiences of the marginalized and powerless. Kaunda argues that the solution does not lie either in desacralization of powers or the separation between the church and the state, but rather in rethinking the Christ event as a paradigm for the recovery of Pentecostalism's sociopolitical prophetic dynamism.
Chammah J. Kaunda is Africa Research Fellow, Senior Research Specialist in Human Development Science of the Human Sciences Research Council (HDS-HSRC), and honorary lecturer in the School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Section I: On the Rough Grounds: Orientations 1. Introduction - The Legacy of African Religiopolitical Heritage: Pentecostalism as AAnother Phase of the Quest for Power and Identity in Africa.A 2. Phenomenological Pneumatological Realist Turn 3. AThe Altars are holding the Nation in CaptivityA: Pentecostal Theo-Nationality and the Legacy of African Religiopolitical Past Section II: Historical (Spiritual) Foundations 4. Spiritual Foundations of the Christian Nation: The David Livingstone's Mythic Prayer 5. AJudas IscariotA: Dr Kenneth Kaunda's Humanism and the Betrayal of the Christian Nation 6. Rebuilding the National Alter: Dr Frederick J T Chiluba's Declaration 7. The ABorn Again' Nationality: The Declaration and the Transformation of the Zambia Political Landscape 8. Transforming Politics from Spiritual Realm: Demonologist Political Theology 9. Transforming Politics through Moral Influence: The Diplomatic Political Theology 10. Transforming Politics from Inside: Spirit-Filled-Moral Example Political Theology 11. Transforming Politics by Understanding how Politics Work: The Cruciform Margins' Political Theology Section III: Toward a New Pentecostal Political Vision 12. The Political Theology of the Mind of Christ: Rethinking Pentecostal Theo-Political Vision Conclusion
"This book, situated among the studies of the social and political context of the Christian faith in Africa, critically assesses Zambian Pentecostals' political engagement in light of their understanding and practice of spiritual power. The interdisciplinary approach and the specific focus on a country declared Christian are noteworthy strengths. A significant contribution to the scholarship and literature on Christianity and politics in Africa." --Tite Tienou, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School "This is a highly creative, scholarly, and penetrating analysis of the Pentecostal engagement with politics in Zambia. This volume has been soundly conceptualized and provides a compelling and informative examination of the achievements and strictures of Pentecostalism's approach to power in a specific historical and political context. By paying attention to the indigenous, biblical, and theological interpretations of power, the volume succeeds in clarifying the interface between Pentecostalism and politics in Zambia. Alongside describing and critiquing the contemporary Pentecostal interpretations and approaches to power, this volume proposes a new Pentecostal political vision. This is a timely and rich contribution to studies on African Pentecostalism that I recommend strongly. It will appeal to researchers from diverse fields, including history, anthropology, religious studies, and political science, as well as general readers." --Ezra Chitando, University of Zimbabwe "While questioning the tendency to sacralize political power within Zambian Pentecostalism, Kaunda calls for a fresh Pentecostal political theology, one that is grounded in self-giving love, servanthood, and solidarity with those at the margins. A well-researched, clearly written, and highly informative volume--a timely contribution to the discussion of religion and politics in general, the role of Christianity in African politics in particular." --Emmanuel Katongole, University of Notre Dame
