Chapter three explains the historical background of the emergence of Lutheran Christianity and the impact of the Revival Movement or Balokole movement in the North Western Diocese (NWD) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT). THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CHRISTIANITY AND THE EFFECTS OF THE REVIVAL MOVEMENT IN THE NORTHWESTERN DIOCESE I.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CHRISTIANITY AND THE IMPACT OF THE REVIVAL MOVEMENT IN THE NORTH WESTERN DIOCESE OF
HOW LUTHERAN CHRISTIANS IN THE NORTHWESTERN LOCAL UNDERSTAND CONVERSION AND REVIVAL: AN ANALYSIS OF DATA.
HOW DO LUTHERAN CHRISTIANS IN THE NORTH WESTERN DIOCESE UNDERSTAND CONVERSION AND REVIVAL: AN ANALYSIS OF THE DATA
REVIVALIST THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE- A CRITIQUE AND EVALUATION
CHALLENGES TO THE CHURCH AS AN INSTITUTION
SUMMARY OF STUDY FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Statement of the Problem
They are both men and women, and have no formal teaching of the Bible in their community groups. If these people experienced true salvation, what does that say about the salvation of the "unsaved Christians".
The Aim and Importance of the Study
To this end, field research was conducted among people on the ground in the North-West Diocese, both those who were part of the revival movement and those who were not. This was done to gain a broad perspective on the perceptions of people directly or indirectly affected by the revival movement.
The Research Hypothesis
Research Questions
Do you find any difference between the revival members and Christians who do not attend revival meetings. What difference, if any, do you think the Revival movement made in the Church or community.
Significance of the Study
Review of the Literature
- John Taylor
- Bengt Sundkler
- Josiah Mutabuuzi Kibira
- Wilson Niwagila
- General Conversion
- Lewis R. Rambo
- Emilie Townes
- Richardson and Bow den
- Biblical Conversion
His book Bara Bukoba (first written in Swedish, 1974, and an English translation, 1980), is the most important for the understanding of the development of conversion and Revival in the Bukoba area. Sundkler writes that until the advent of the Revival there was a limited female participation in the Church activities.
Scope and Limitation
The radical change brought about by the Renaissance encouraged men and women to break oppressive patterns. The future of the Renaissance will depend on its ability to renew itself and attract the support of many Christians in the diocese.
Clarification of Basic Terms
According to the Constitution of the North-West Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, the term "Church Leaders" shall mean; Church E\ders(Abagulusi b' Enteko), Village Church E\ders(Abaheleza b' Ebyalo) Evangelists {Abainjilisti), Vastors(Abashumba) and other Church workers. Lord, He offers forgiveness of sins and the liberating gift of the Spirit to all who repent and believe (Atkinson 1995:360).
Summary
For this reason, the writer considers the gospel message as a transforming force in the life of society when it is expressed in the cultural form that society understands. Means "to walk in the light." It is the term used in community meetings to mean "reveal" or bring certain matters to a few or to all members of the community group for open discussion or resolution.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 1. Introduction
- Data Collection
- Case Study Method
- Qualitative Case Studies
- Reasons for Choosing the Case Study Method
- Field Work Research
- Interview Procedure
- Interview Setting
- Duration of the Interview
- Personal Experience and Participant Observation
- Problems Encountered During the Research
- Summary
The research was conducted in the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CHRISTIANITY AND THE INFLUENCE OF THE REVIVAL MOVEMENT IN THE NORTHWEST BISHOP.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CHRISTIANITY AND THE IMPACT OF THE REVIVAL MOVEMENT IN THE NORTH WESTERN DIOCESE OF THE
Introduction
A Short History of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
On June 19, 1963, the seven churches, under the umbrella of a federation, merged to become a single Church, known as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. The current Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, consisting of 20 dioceses, has a membership of over 2.5 million in a population of nearly 35 million Tanzanians and is one of the largest Lutheran Churches in Africa.
Historical Background of the North Western Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
- Location in Tanzania
- The People and their Origin
- Social- Cultural and Religious Beliefs
The concept of an omniscient God can be partially defined in the etymological study of the name Owamaisho nk' Olugega (the one who sees everywhere). Moreover, the Lutherans, among whom this research is to be conducted, are aware that Luther's doctrine of the hidden God is vivid in the Haya religion.
A Brief History of Lutheran Christianity in the North Western Diocese
- The Ruzinga Group
- The Ihangiro and Kianja Group
- The Missenye Group
- The Karagwe Group
In the beginning there was no mission station as there was in many of the Protestant mission fields. Here we meet again another woman in the history of life and work in Buhaya Church which is now known as the Northwest Diocese. The area of Bugabo lies north of the town of Bukoba in the Kagera region.
The Impact of the Revival Movement in the North Western Diocese
- The Historical Background of the Revival Movement in the North Western Diocese
- Background
- Revival in Bukoba
The revival movement therefore translated the words of the Bible into the people's beloved mother tongue. At this synodal meeting, the members pleaded with God to revive the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit (Niwagila. Josiah Kibira marks the year 1939 as the beginning of revival in Buhay and Karagwa area (1964:99).
The Expansion of the Revival Movement
At this stage we can say that the Church of Buhaja was awakened through the Revival Movement. Of course, there was and still is today an idea of spiritual growth in the Church. I spoke about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how He works and acts in an orderly manner and not causing turmoil and conflict in the Church.
The Structure of the Movement
This seminar helped those who thought the Holy Spirit was there to fight and convict the sinner (Niwagila 1988: 248). With the expansion of the movement, the Church has been enriched with able evangelists such as Elisa Kalwani, Yohana Beshumike, Japhet Bukambu, Sylivester Machumu, Felix Kabunga, Simeon Tegamaisho, Joel Byemerwa, Christopher Lugatangya, Heslon Kibira, Protas Nyongera and Evans Muhindi (Mushemba). But Spear & Kimambo show that revival groups have existed independently (both theologically and organizationally) of the Churches in which members continue to participate.
Beliefs within the Revival Movement
Oosthuizen also agrees with this idea when he says that the Revival Movement in East Africa with its more than two decades of Christian witness, and its emphasis on the laity, never developed into a separate sect. But Spear & Kimambo show that the Revival groups tended to exist independently (both theologically and organizationally) of the Churches in which members still participate (1999:246). Fourth, the Revival movement was very strong at the grassroots level: Some Christians who joined this movement were ordinary people such as farmers, fishermen, masons, local merchants and businessmen.
Summary
HOW LUTHERAN CHRISTIANS IN THE NORTHWEST POINT UNDERSTAND CONVERSION AND REVIVAL: AN ANALYSIS OF DATA UNDERSTAND CONVERSION AND REVIVAL: AN ANALYSIS OF THE DATA COLLECTED.
Introduction
Data Analysis
This kind of conversion has been seen in community groups such as UWATA (Union of Revivalists of Tanzania) and the East African Revival and Unity Fellowship (Interview with Lemmy, Lwanzik, Ruhija, 7/8/2002). She remained in the revival movement for several reasons: first, because of her love for God. It was observed that most of the Christians involved in the revival groups decided to join these movements because God met physical needs.
Life within the Revival Movement in the North Western Diocese 1. Involvement in the Revival Movement
- The Pattern of Fellowship Meetings
- Conventions
In the Northwestern Diocese, members of the Revival refer to each other in the Swahili language “ndugu” (brother) and “dada (sister) in Christ, and they are all called collectively. Here the revival points out that people in the world are living full of life. The writer attended the convention held at Kitahya Parish in the Western District of the North-Western Diocese.
Theology of the Revival
The emphasis is also placed on the hope of the new life after death, and the forgiveness of sins. They proclaimed that the Lutheran Church firmly believes that the Word of God is the basic foundation of the Church's dogma as well as the faith of the individual. The question of the Bible and its interpretation is related to the question of witness and priesthood of all believers.
Some Theological Reflections
- Soteriology: African and Christian Conception of Salvation
- Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
He speaks of faith in imputed righteousness as the firstfruits of the Spirit, (primitias spiritus), which is not yet complete. It refers to the figure of Jesus in the gospels, especially his miracles and the preaching of the reign of God (Okoye; 1997:71). The source of salvation is the God of the Bible, who, as creator, is external.
Summary
Abalokole sees the world as a battlefield between the forces of the devil and the forces of God. All the evil in the world, whether it befalls rich or poor, individuals or entire nations, is the result of the devil's work. In the following chapter, we will discuss the consequences of the revival movement in the area under study.
Introduction
Some Strengths within the Revival Movement
- Revival as a Spiritual Enrichment
- Good Moral Behaviour
- Insistence of Equality
- Life Crisis
- Breaking with Traditions
- Childlessness and Inheritance
- The Passing of Bride wealth
- Reconciliation
- Joy and Thankfulness
The researcher noted that some of the Abalokole preachers (male and female) have been inducted into the order of preachers in Sunday worship. Today, many church leaders within the diocese itself are active members of the Revival Movement. It is the opinion of the researcher that the Abalokole would not have marriage.
Some Weaknesses within the Revival Movement
- Weaknesses of their theology
- Divisions among Christians
- The Legalistic Trend
- The Question of the Holy Spirit
- Misunderstandings within the Family
- Critique on Conversion and Revival
This trend of division among Christians can be seen in some joint meetings in the North West Diocese. The question of the Holy Spirit in the revival movement has remained a burning question to this day. But some Abalokoles in the North West Diocese do not see it that way.
Is there a Necessity for Revival in the Church?
The research has shown that Christians from the Protestant Church can have community. f) The movement also encouraged lay leadership. Some members of the Revival Movement in the North-Western Diocese who work in several major cities such as Dar Es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, Moshi, Dodoma, Mbeya and other cities have remained good Christians and are therefore ambassadors of Christ and of the North-Western Church. Diocese. h) The Revival Movement has given women equal opportunities to preach the Word of God regardless of their gender. When the researcher interviewed one of the respondents, she said, “Women are very proud to be part of the Revival Movement.
The Traditional Haya and Haya Christian Perspectives on Sin
In the Haya tradition, sin can also mean entambala (crime) which is sometimes identified as obufu or ushango (literally sin or guilt). In the Haya language, death is called ekibi because it is something that causes painful grief. Haya people understand sin as actions, behaviors, and thoughts that violate rules set by supernatural powers.
Sin as Understood among the Revivalists
Mutembei does not support the concept of total rejection of African ways of worshiping God, which the Abalokola extremists have described as idolatry. So the rest of the Christian community must respond to the message of the cross, respond and confess their sins as Abalokole leads and live their faith. The strengths and weaknesses of Hay Lutheran Christians in their understanding of the Lutheran doctrine of sin.
The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Haya Lutheran Christians in their Understanding of the Lutheran Doctrine of Sin
Their emphasis on the law masks the meaning of the Gospel which comforts the sinner and proclaims the forgiveness of sin through faith. The original justice was lost in the very act of the Fall of the first couple. Although we have seen some strengths and weaknesses in the understanding of the doctrine of sin among Lutheran Christians in the Northwest Diocese, there are some good implications in both Bahaya culture and Christianity, neither of which condone any kind of immorality and crime. both murder, robbery, adultery, and oppression are abhorred by both Bahaya culture and Christianity.
The Lutheran Doctrine of Sin
Here we can say that the actual sin is a manifestation of what is in the person's heart and of that person's attitude towards God and his requirements. He sees that sin is a human responsibility for what we choose to do or not do. In fact, actual sin is a manifestation of what is in the person's heart and what that person's attitude is toward God and his demands.
What Lutheran Christians are supposed to do in their Christian Living?
- Discipleship
- Faithfulness
- Confession and Forgiveness of Sin
The Lutheran Christians in the Northwestern Diocese must keep in their minds that confession and forgiveness are the core of the Christian faith. The relevance of the definitions of repentance in the Bahaya context begins with what the. During the research, the author observed various aspects about the practice of confession and forgiveness in the North-West Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.
Summary
It is customary for the priest to then ask the penitents to turn towards the altar and in a sentence to welcome one or two of them back and warn them in the name of the Trinity, laying hands on them. So in both foundations; that is, North Western Diocese (NWD) and North Eastern Diocese (NED), it is more or less the same. The only difference is the act of repentance itself, whereby the repentant offenders in the Northwest Diocese do not say anything in front of the congregation, nor does the priest mention their wrongdoings.
Introduction
What has to be done by the Church?
- Emphasis on the Ministry of Healing
According to Oosthuizen, healing is an opening for people on the path to self-development. Historically, Jesus stood in the tradition of Jewish charismatic healers. In healing the patient, the pastor should place his or her hands on the patient and pray using the words of the prayer he or she has chosen.
