Chapter Three: Identity of the Durban Christian Centre
3.4 DCC theology
3.4.1 God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit
The DCC distributes weekly bulletins, which describe their theological position and provide biblical texts to put their position forward. The DCC constitution also categorically states its doctrinal stance.
Concerning God, this statement was extracted from a DCC publication: "There is only one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost". (The Bulletin October 2002 Vol. 1 No. 4: p4) At the DCC, preachers offer very definite ideas and explanations of who they believe God is, what God likes and dislikes. This information is often supported
by proof texts. Perceptions of who God is in the DCC would vary from God the provider extraordinaire, protector, and healer to redeemer and promoter.
Pentecostals and Charismatics are certain of their knowledge and perceptions regarding God. There are seldom any doubts about God and his work in the life of the believer. The believer may say, "God told me..." and is generally confident that this indeed is the case. A common expression is: "I believe that God is speaking to the church on ...issue". It is totally acceptable for people to talk about the leading of God in these circles. Even mundane issues are not exempt from the all-encompassing role of God, for example, "how God helped me to find a parking spot". This may be considered sacrilegious and insane in some circles but is widely accepted in the Charismatic context where God has a role in every aspect of the believer's life.
According to Hocken (in Burgess and Van de Maas 2002: 515) the Charismatic renewal is "characterised by the conviction that God speaks to his people corporately and personally as directly and regularly as in the first Christian century". Hocken (:515) further explains:
People filled with the spirit hear the Lord, they experience a directness of communication and guidance from the Lord in a way that shocks, puzzles, attracts or repels other Christians. This experience of God speaking is experienced as intrinsic to knowing God as a loving father who converses with his children and opens up his inheritance to them.
This typifies the DCC theology of God and God's communication with believers today. The challenge with this theology is that it naturally lends itself to abuse.
The notion that God speaks to the believer is a difficult terrain to traverse. How does one identify those who genuinely hear from God, from those who have lively imaginations, delusions, or those who want to use God to back up their point of view? The other issue to be raised here is one of accountability. If a person declares that God has spoken to them, then they are putting themselves out of reach of any criticism. To argue with a person who believes their words have come from God is to argue with God. Average congregants may not argue just in case they do not clearly discern the words and ways of God. Although
Charismatic churches preach that God is in communication with his people today, the DCC still thoroughly screens, and may even deny, the general congregation access to the pulpit for the purpose of sharing what they think God is saying.
These communications from God can also serve a breaking or admonishing purpose. Certain people in leadership and members of the DCC often "hear from God" about negative behaviour patterns and spirits associated with other people. One woman discovered that her pastor had discerned that she had a Jezebel spirit75 that was the root of her marriage breakdown. She did not appreciate that assessment in a situation where she believed she was the victim. I have observed that Pentecostals and Charismatics are quick to believe a harsh word from God when it deals with another person but will rarely accept critical remarks that are directed at them. This often leads to people leaving certain churches in favour of one that is more encouraging and pampering.
Conversations with various people from the DCC reflect that members often repeat in parrot fashion what they hear from the senior pastors and guest speakers, concerning what God is saying. This observation leads me to believe that the DCC membership is generally trusting about what is heard from the pulpit and regard it without question as a word from God. Many members attend church services in a tabula rasa state, waiting to be inscribed with the latest word from God.
Concerning Jesus Christ, the DCC believes the following:
The deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in his virgin birth, in his sinless life, in his miracles, in his victorious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His Ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His personal future to this earth in power and glory to rule a thousand years (The Bulletin October 2002 Vol. 1 No. 4).
A person with a Jezebel spirit is considered to be dominating. The woman I refer to in this incident was known to me for several years before I began this study. After discovering her husband's infidelity she sought counsel from the DCC leadership.
These beliefs fall within the scope of Evangelical theology. For example, "Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and bom of the Virgin Mary. (John 11:14; Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:26; Luke 2:7; 1 Timothy 2:5)" (Constitution: 5). "Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood as a sacrifice for our sins. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High." (1 Peter 2: 24; Hebrews 9:11-14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Hebrews 10:12)" (Constitution: 5).
For Pentecostals and Charismatics, "accepting Jesus Christ" marks their initiation into their life as a believer. Hockens (2002:514) believes that there is a
"marked focus" on Jesus Christ, which is evident in testimonies that constantly refer to "an encounter with Jesus, a deeper yielding to Jesus, and a fuller acceptance of Jesus as Lord".
An acceptance of "Jesus as Lord" refers to what Pentecostal/Charismatic preachers call "giving total control to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit". To do this, they believe, will indicate the will of God and the subsequent Lordship of Jesus. Preachers often complain that members accept Jesus as saviour but find it difficult to accept him as Lord.
The Lordship of Jesus has specific relevance to the study of the urban context;
since Pentecostal/Charismatics believe that Jesus is not only Lord over people but also places. This is evident in slogans such as "Durban for Jesus", and
"Jesus is Lord over Africa". Cities with a Pentecostal/Charismatic presence advertise the services of Jesus on billboards, neon signs, and posters. These highly visible slogans include statements such as "Jesus is Lord", "Jesus Saves", "Jesus Cares", "Jesus loves you", "Come to Jesus", "Jesus saves, heals and satisfies". These advertisements compete for space with other religious slogans and various business services and skills offered to the people in the city.
Concerning the Holy Spirit, the DCC states:
We believe that the Holy Spirit is at work today with the church through his gifts, fruit and anointed ministers. (Acts 2:39; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:26) (Constitution: 6).
We believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to every believer and need to be activated and exercised to fulfil their divine purpose of blessing the Body of Christ. (Acts 2:39; 2 Timothy 1:6)" (:6).
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit wherein the Spirit is sent to gift each believer with their own private praise language to edify themselves, and that such a baptism empowers the believer to be effective for Christ (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:39; 1 Corinthians 14:2; Jude 2; 1 Corinthians 14:18; Acts 19:1-6) (:6).
We believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit to glorify Christ, to convict men of sin, righteousness and judgement and to empower the believer. (John 15:26; John 16:8, 14; Acts 1:8)" (:6)
The baptism of the Holy Ghost, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers who ask for it. The sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy life. (The Bulletin October 2002 Vol.1 No.3).
In a sermon on the Holy Spirit, Fred Roberts (17/10/04) warned his congregation that "the devil seeks to minimise the Holy Spirit" in order to make Christians feel that He (the Holy Spirit) is insignificant. Roberts asked the question, "What is the Holy Spirit like?" And he explained that the Holy Spirit is like electricity that can't be seen but its effects and power are seen and felt;
thus, the Holy Spirit cannot be seen with the natural eye but one can feel and sense the Holy Spirit.
The congregation is often told that the Holy Spirit is God just as much as Jesus is God and that the Holy Spirit's presence in a believer will grant a sense of peace so that fear will not reside in that individual. In the same vein was a distinct warning not to grieve the Holy Spirit by attributing his work to the work of the devil. The congregation is encouraged to develop a sense of openness to the Holy Spirit and to "tell the Holy Spirit to have his way".
Roberts (2004: 14) gave a summary of his beliefs concerning the Holy Spirit, his gifts and speaking tongues:
1. Your success in life and ministry is dependent on your reliance on the Holy Spirit;
2. Be continually aware of his presence and indwelling;
3. Never ignore Him. He is your best friend;
4. Do not be ignorant of his gifts and abilities within you;
5. Pray daily and much in tongues, also trusting Him for the interpretation; and 6. He is very sensitive. Make sure never to grieve Him.