Pentecostalism and Cultism in South Africa

Pentecostalism is a growing movement in world Christianity. However, the growth of Pentecostalism in South Africa has faced some challenges, including the abuse of religion by some prophets. This book first names these prophets and the churches they lead in South Africa, and then makes use of literary and media analysis to analyse the religious practices by the prophets in relation to cultism. Additionally, the book analyses the “celebrity cult” and how it helps promote the prophets in South Africa. The purpose of this book is threefold: First, to draw parallels between the abuse of religion and cultism. Second, to illustrate that it is cultic tendencies, including the celebrity cult, that has given rise to many prophets in South Africa. Last, to showcase that the challenge for many of these prophets is that the Pentecostal tradition is actually anti-cultism, and thus there is a need for them to rethink their cultic tendencies in order for them to be truly relevant in a South African context.

“The book is a welcome addition to an increasing body of literature on African Pentecostal Studies. It provides a broad application of various tools that will benefit those interested in theological studies, religious studies, sociology of religion, psychology of religion, anthropology of religion and cultic studies as well as non-academics with an interest in African Pentecostalism.” (Chammah Kaunda and John Mathews, Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, Issue 169, 2021)

“With his insider knowledge of South African Pentecostalism, Mookgo Solomon Kgatle is fast emerging as the pre-eminent scholar of this subject, and of the African prophets who are part of a new movement that has arisen in recent years. This study is a necessary read for understanding African Pentecostalism as a whole, for these movements are found throughout the sub-Sahara.” (Allan Anderson, Emeritus Professor, Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom)

 

“This is a highly provocative and creative approach towards a complex religious phenomenon. The book explores dimensions that earlier researchers either overlooked or felt too hesitant to broach. I warmly commend this book to researchers and students from diverse fields and backgrounds as it provides new insights into New Prophetic Churches.” (Ezra Chitando, Associate Professor, History and Phenomenology of Religion, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe)

Mookgo Solomon Kgatle is Associate Professor at the University of South Africa. He is a National Research Foundation (NRF) Y Rated researcher (2019-2024) in the area of African Pentecostalism, and is visiting scholar at the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies-University of Birmingham (2020-2022).