Original Research

Unbreakable bonds? The challenge of the motif of adoption to the African neo-Pentecostal belief in generational curses

Collium Banda
In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi | Vol 54, No 1 | a2653 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v54i1.2653 | © 2020 Collium Banda | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 26 June 2020 | Published: 21 December 2020

About the author(s)

Collium Banda, Unit for Reformational Theology and the Development of the South African Society, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

Abstract

The article uses the motif of salvation as adoption as God’s children to critique the African neo-Pentecostal (ANP) belief that generational curses remain on Christians after conversion. A prominent mark that distinguishes ANP churches from classical Pentecostal churches is the prophet-pastors and prophet-apostles whose prophetic stature is foundational to the existence of these churches. The main question answered in the article is: in the light of biblical description of Christians as adopted children of God how should we soteriologically evaluate the ANP claim that born-again Christians remain under curses inherited from their ancestors? Therefore, the ANP view of generational curses is explained, and soteriological adoption is described in relation to the believers’ spiritual liberation and security. A proposal is made of how adoption should liberate ANP Christians from the fear of generational curses. The article challenges ANP prophets to critique their teaching on generational curses on Christians by using biblical images of salvation.

Keywords

generational curses; adoption; redemption; African neo-Pentecostalism; sonship; salvation; spiritual security.

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Crossref Citations

1. De-centring pilgrimage studies: understanding neo-Pentecostal journeys and pilgrimage in Africa
Dominic Pasura
Journal of Contemporary Religion  vol: 38  issue: 1  first page: 79  year: 2023  
doi: 10.1080/13537903.2023.2170575