Chapter Four: The Social Presence of the DCC in the City of Durban
4.5 Theological discussions at the Thunder Dome
4.5.1 The Youth's battle with "The World" and "The Devil"
A continual distinction is made between "The World" and the Christian. The World in the context of the youth meetings refers to attitudes, knowledge and sets of beliefs that seek to undermine and deny the role of God in the young person's life. The World is often personified in order to depict a person with bad intentions. The World is said to offer temporary pleasures, which detract young people from their true potential and worth, by offering them misleading explicit
99 See appendix Q p.326 for membership forms.
and hypnotic or subliminal suggestions about values, life and love. Prolonged engagement with The World will lead to an eventual sense of futility, emptiness or even utter destruction. The World referred to at the youth meetings does not refer to the World mentioned in previous decades by classical Pentecostal churches. The World consists more of behaviour and attitudes rather than dress (short skirts) and places (movies). Accepting Jesus Christ as saviour and being filled with the Holy Spirit can combat the lure of The World. When this occurs the attraction of The World becomes weaker and the person sees life through
"God's eyes".
The youth are warned to become aware of the battle that rages for their souls and that they should build up a strong resistance to the temptations that exist all around them. They are taught to become adversarial towards "The Devil" and his cohorts who are the enemies of their souls. The Devil is credited with leading young people to rebellion, addiction, lawlessness, promiscuity and violence, among other evils. The Devil operates in the world and uses the things of the world to achieve powerful deceptions. The Devil can be combated with The Word of God which is "sharper than a two edged sword" and can destroy the works of the Devil.
4.5.2 Made in God's Image
A strong emphasis is placed on self-esteem and the profusion of insecurities that the youth face. They are constantly reminded that they are made in God's image and that they are precious, uniquely made and possess high value in God's estimation. Biblical characters are often used to encourage the youth to realize that God has in the past used, and could still use, young people in God's work. Examples such as the young Joseph, Samuel, David, Esther, Mary and the boy with the two loaves and five fish are cited in sermons or discussions with the youth regarding how God can use even the weak, insignificant people in the world to do great things. Children who may learn that they were adopted or born out of wedlock or told that they were "mistakes" are encouraged that no
such term exists in God's plan. Each child is precious to God and has a special role to play in the kingdom of God. The common texts used to back this view are: "before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." (Jeremiah 1.5), "I know your sitting down and getting up..." (Psalm 139.2), "Even the hairs on your head are numbered..." (Matthew 10.30), "you are not a mistake"... (Psalm 139.15-16).
The recurring theme of the DCC, "all things possible", is evident at the youth meetings. The youth are encouraged to look past their circumstances and always to believe that with God's help they can succeed. This assurance of God's action on behalf of the youth is strengthened by fresh testimonies of how God has worked in the life of the youth. Success stories comprise the fuel of the fires of faith that burn within the hearts of the youth who embrace the message of the Youth Xtreme programme.
4.5.3 Mission, the Holy Spirit and the DCC youth
According to the youth leaders, "the vision of the church is mission". Mission, as Victor Van de Spuy puts it, is "reaching the lost at any cost"; he emphatically states: "We will do anything in our power to let young people know that Jesus loves them". Each week the youth are taught certain DCC theological beliefs about God the Father, Jesus or the Holy Spirit and with respect to how God seeks to improve their lives. They are encouraged to evangelize their friends and family members, using what they have learnt in church. Victor Van de Spuy believes that God is preparing to use young people in a "great and powerful way" in a revival. Van de Spuy discussed a dream that senior pastor Fred Roberts dreamed in which he saw a flood of water sweeping through the church, and covering everything in its path. Youth were swimming in this water.
Roberts interprets this dream as the sign of an impending revival. In this revival
"youth will be at the forefront in bringing many souls to Christ". Van de Spuy has witnessed what he calls "the manifestation of the Holy Ghost" in the youth meetings. This includes young people "falling under the power of the Holy
Spirit", rolling on the floor, "drunk in the Spirit"100. These manifestations occur together with "emotional healing"101 and "restoration"102 of the youth, two examples of which are described below.