Reaching Africa's Heart Understanding the Core Beliefs of Traditional Religion for Effective Discipleship
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Abstract
This article explores the persistence of African Traditional Religion (ATR) in Sub-Saharan Africa and its impact on Christian discipleship. Despite the widespread presence of churches, ATR—characterized by belief in a distant creator, ancestor veneration, spirit mediation, and the use of magic—continues to shape cultural identity and religious practice. Its emphasis on power, protection, and material success often leads to syncretism, where Christianity is blended with traditional beliefs, and Jesus is viewed primarily as a source of prosperity or spiritual protection. This dynamic contributes to the rise of the prosperity gospel and hinders biblical discipleship. To address these challenges, the article advocates a holistic missiological strategy combining truth encounters (teaching Scripture as the grand narrative of redemption), power encounters (demonstrating Christ’s supremacy over spiritual forces), and cultural encounters (evaluating traditions through a biblical lens). By fostering a shift from power-seeking to Christ-centered faith, the church can encourage authentic discipleship rooted in Scripture and resistant to syncretism.
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