Syncretism and indigenisation in the newer Pentecostal and charismatic churches in South Africa

Abstract

Background: Syncretism is a complex subject that represents the combination of more than two religious belief systems with fundamental differences. Objectives: This article aimed to contrast the syncretistic views on the newer Pentecostal and charismatic churches by arguing that cultural adaptation and the prosperity message in these churches represent indigenisation rather than syncretism. Method: This article used the literature review in qualitative research to identify the sources that locate cultural adaptation and prosperity message in newer Pentecostal and charismatic churches within the concept of syncretism to identify the research gaps on the indigenisation of the gospel. Results: The article found that the indigenisation of the gospel is an important theoretical framework in contrasting the syncretistic views in the newer Pentecostal and charismatic churches in the South African context. Conclusion: Cultural adaptation and prosperity message do not always represent syncretistic views of the newer Pentecostal and charismatic churches, if syncretism is understood as a combination of two or more religious belief systems. Contribution: Indigenisation of the gospel is important for the study and understanding of African Pentecostalism, as it assists in arguing against the syncretistic views on the cultural adaptation and prosperity message in the newer Pentecostal and charismatic churches in the South African context.