Negotiating Religious Traditions: Babu wa Loliondo’s Theology of Healing

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Retired Lutheran pastor Ambilikile Mwasapila became the most celebrated healer in Eastern Africa for half a year in 2011. His healing consists of an herbal potion, brewed according to the recipe he got from God in dreams. According to Rev. Mwasapila, the potency of the medicine stems from the presence of the Word of God in it. It is efficient only when administered by him. He perceives himself as a prophet called by God to alleviate sufferings of humankind in a world pestered by illnesses sent by Satan. His theology of healing has clear Lutheran sacramental theological elements combined with views from African traditional medicine and Christian charismatic faith healing. His cosmology is deeply rooted in African views of the spirit world interpreted through Pentecostal-charismatic demonology. The ideas underlying his ministry can be seen as an oral charismatic Lutheran contextual theology lived out in practice.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)269-297
Number of pages29
JournalExchange
Volume45
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Religious Studies

Free keywords

  • pluralistic medicine
  • Contextual theology
  • charismatic Christianity

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