Original Research
Turn the tide on losing members to cults: The challenge of the churches in the Congo
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi | Vol 54, No 1 | a2427 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v54i1.2427
| © 2020 Mathieu B. Mufika, Hendrik (Henk) G. Stoker
| This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 14 November 2018 | Published: 09 April 2020
Submitted: 14 November 2018 | Published: 09 April 2020
About the author(s)
Mathieu B. Mufika, Unit for Reformational Theology, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaHendrik G. Stoker, Unit for Reformational Theology, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Abstract
Especially since the late 20th century, former ‘Western’ cults such as the Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons and Branhamites, became a real threat to churches in the greater Kolwezi, the rest of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and several other places in Africa. Because these cultic groups question some of the most basic teachings of Christianity, including who God is and whether salvation occurs through Jesus Christ alone, it is crucial for Christian churches confronted with them, to respond apologetically in an effective way. To be able to do it, it is important to understand why these groups made such inroads and proselytes from Christian churches. In the article such background is given and a way forward through Christian apologetics and a missionary strategy is discussed.
Keywords
Cults; Apologetics; DRC; Jehovah Witnesses; Branhamites.
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