Understanding the Effect of Witchcraft on Church Growth in Kenya today
- August 31, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VIII, August 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186
Understanding the Effect of Witchcraft on Church Growth in Kenya today
Rev. Dr. Peter Mamuli Nyongesa
Kaimosi Friends University College, Kenya
Abstract: – Witchcraft is a problem all over the world; however, it makes people grow colder towards God and religion. Its destructive influence can go as far as slowing down material development of a society and the entire community. This paper seeks to address this problem, why it is morally wrong, and propose ideas on how to overcome this problem. In this way, the reasons why Christians oppose witchcraft are made clear, in the hope that this dreaded activity is overpowered by the truth and love that Jesus brings.
Key Terms: Witchcraft, Christian growth, Community evangelism
I. INTRODUCTION
The problem of witchcraft has faced the missionary founded and the mainstream churches in Africa, which has spread even the African Christian community. This has been a problem since the 19th Century. It is high time the church in Africa addresses the problem and finds possible solutions to it before it becomes a disaster, which cannot be controlled.
Witchcraft is the use of supposed magic powers, generally to harm people or to destroy their properties. These are powers that are usually meant to harm others or their belongings because of jealousy or as a form of revenge. A witch is a person who is believed to have received such powers from evil spirits. In the African context, it is believed that such powers are obtained from parents or grandparents, and in most cases, the favorite child is the one who inherits the powers. Some scholars argue that more than half of the people in the world think that witches can influence their lives. The word witch comes from the Anglo- Saxon word, which means a ‘wise one’ or ‘magician.
