In sub-Saharan Africa over the last two decades there has been an
explosion of Christianity. This book sets out to identify its particular
character, focusing on a particular place: Greater Accra, the capital of
Ghana. Paul Gifford examines a wide range of Accra's new churches,
giving priority to mega-churches. Every dimension -- discourse,
theological vision, worship, rituals, music, media involvement, use of
the Bible, conventions, finances, clientele -- is analysed. Gifford
argues that this Christianity is not otherworldly: its emphasis is on
success, achievement, wealth here and now. Yet within this general
orientation there is diversity. At one end of the spectrum are churches
that, building on the traditional religious imagination, see demonic
forces everywhere blocking personal success. In the churches the key
factor is the special 'man of God' who is understood to have the
'anointing' to conquer these forces, to 'reverse the curse' that is
holding the believer back. At the other end is a strain of this new
Christianity that discounts spiritual forces and sees victory resulting
from the believer's own education and skills, and from transforming
culture.The book also joins the debate over the role of this
Christianity in modernizing economic and political structures. It sets
the scene by describing Ghana's political and economic situation in the
decades when these churches were proliferating, and outlines the current
debate on the reasons for Africa's economic plight. It is argued that
although focusing on success and wealth can provide motivation in
circumstances where it is so easy to despair, the pervasive emphasis on
miracles militates against any natural fostering of a new work ethic. As
for their political role, some churches are easily co-opted; others
challenge the government, but for 'spiritual' reasons that provide
little incentive to grapple with issues of governance; by contrast,
Gifford finds one important church encouraging change of the entire
political culture. No other book has set forth the complex nature of
Africa's new Christianity with such clarity, or offered such a searching
analysis of its power to tackle Africa's predicament.