Contrasting an Individual Authority in South African Neo-Prophetic Churches: A Communal Sovereignty Approach

Abstract

Sovereignty has been studied in political science as a concept denoting the supreme authority of the state and non-reliance on any external forces. Within the study of religion, particularly Pentecostalism, a distinction is made between the authority of an individual and communal sovereignty. Communal sovereignty is also known as alternative sovereignty, contrasting it with individual authority. This article uses the literature review in qualitative research and communal sovereignty as a relevant approach in contrast to the authority of individual prophets in neo-prophetic churches. The approach is proposed as a way of dealing with various abuses in these churches that are informed by the authority of individual prophets. These abuses are highlighted in the three cases of Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG), the Jesus Dominion International (JDI), and the End Times Disciples Ministries (ETDM). The study found that communal sovereignty is relevant in harnessing the abuses taking place in the selected neo-prophetic churches in the South African context. Communal sovereignty also aligns with an African philosophy of ubuntu in the enhancement of ecclesiastical interconnectedness and human discourses. Therefore, this study makes a valuable contribution to the broader Pentecostal movement, its theology, and mission by proposing a communal sovereignty that encourages the upliftment and empowerment of the oppressed and the marginalised.