Coping with evil in Ghanaian Pentecostalism

bibliographic database
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Periodical article

Title:	Coping with evil in Ghanaian Pentecostalism
Author:	Quayesi-Amakye, Joseph
Year:	2014
Periodical:	Exchange: Journal of Contemporary Christianities in Context (ISSN 0166-2740)
Volume:	43
Issue:	3
Pages:	254-272
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ghana
Subjects:	Pentecostalism witchcraft cosmology
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1163/1572543X-12341327
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. Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]