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SELECTED ASPECTS IN AFRICAN RELIGIOUS HERITAGE

1/7/2020

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African concept of God, Spirits and Ancestors

Attributes of God as understood by African people

African concept of spirits

Types of spirits

African concept of God, Spirits and Ancestors

SELECTED ASPECTS IN AFRICAN RELIGIOUS HERITAGE

a) God

All African communities believe in a supreme being who is the origin and sustainer of all things.
He is the creator of the universe and all that it contains.
All Africans agree that nobody has ever seen God.

Attributes of God as understood by African people

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THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS SPECIALISTS IN AFRICAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR RELEVANCE TODAY

14/6/2020

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THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS SPECIALISTS IN AFRICAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR RELEVANCE TODAY

The religious specialists include:

Medicine people.
Mediums.
Diviners.
Priests.
Rainmakers.
Prophets.
Seers.
Blacksmiths.
Elders.

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Similarities and differences between traditional African view of evil and biblical concept of sin

26/7/2019

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Previously << Traditional African Concept of Evil

Similarities

In both cases, God is the Supreme Being and is good. He is not the author of evil/sin.
Both believe that sin/evil arises from human beings disobedience and greed.
Both agree that sin causes a lot of human suffering.
In both cases, evil may result from failing in a social/spiritual obligation
In both cases, evil and sin results in human beings being separated from God
In both cases, God is the guardian of morality, law and order
In both cases, God is the guardian of morality, law and order.
In both it destroys relationships among human beings.
Both create a situation of fear and mistrust among members.
In both cases, the ultimate result of both is death.
10. Both evil and sin can result to destruction of God’ creation through natural calamities such as drought.
In both cases, evil and sin can be avoided through righteous living.
In both cases, there are spiritual powers associated with them.
In both cases, result in punishment by God.

Differences

African communities believed that the spirits of the dead are the cause of evil but not so in the bible.
Some African communities believed that evil is an independent or isolated power employed by human beings to cause harm. But it is not so in the Bible.
The Bible believes that sinners will have eternal punishment but Africans believe that punishment is only in the present world.
Biblically people are sinners as descendants of Adam and Eve i.e. sin is passed on from one generation to another. This is not the case in African society.
Although sin has separated humankind from God, Biblically there is a plan of salvation/ redemption, however, there is no such plan in African system.

Next >> Ways of dealing with Evil doers in Traditional African Communities (TAC)

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Selected Old Testament prophets and their teachings

6/7/2019

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previously << prophet jeremiah

DEFINITION OF PROPHETS

A prophet is a person who predicts what will happen in their future.
A prophet is a person who receives messages from God through a special channel such as vision, dream, prayer and tell people what God has revealed to him

Prophecy

A divine message from God’s servant
An utterance by a prophet about an event or events to take place in future

SELECTED OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS AND THEIR TEACHINGS

The five categories of prophets

Early Old Testament prophets
They appeared early in the history of Israel as a nation e.g. Moses, Elijah, Samuel ,Nathan
Professional prophets
They earned their living through their work of prophecy like Samuel was given a silver coin as token for his prophecy
They were true prophets and they never give prophecies in favour of what the king wanted to hear
Prophetess
Female / women prophets e.g. Hilda, Miriam and more others
Canonical prophets
Their writings were accepted as truth from God. Their prophecies are recorded and preserved under books bearing their names
Work of canonical prophets
Foretold future events
Called people to repent sins
Are God’s spokesmen
Proclaimed God’s judgement
Give audience hope and encouragement during suffering
They told people God’s will
False prophets
They were prophets who were claimed to speak in the name of Yahweh
They demanded payments for their services
They lived immoral lives
They gave false testimonies
They practiced prophetic ecstasy
They were not guided by Yahweh by their own imagination
They promoted idolatry
They gave message which pleased people
Some were paid by the king to convey message which pleased him

Describe ways in which prophetic messages were written

Some prophets dictated their message to their secretaries
Prophets wrote their prophetic messages
Prophet disciples preserved the message orally which were later written
Some prophetic messages were written by God himself e.g. the ten commandments
Some prophetic messages were preserved in form of letters
They were written in stone tablets and scrolls

Relationship between the old testaments prophets and the New Testaments

Old testament prophets condemned insincere worship and elaborate sacrifice which was also condemned by Jesus in the New Testament
Theme of salvation in the Old Testament is fulfilled in the new testament through the coming of Jesus Christ
The prophecy of suffering servant in the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament through the suffering of Jesus Christ
The idea of suffering servant in the old testament as prophesied by Isaiah also came to pass through the suffering of Jesus Christ
The prophecy of the new covenant in the Old Testament is inaugurated by Jesus during the last supper
Nathan’s prophecy to king David of great descendant who would establish everlasting kingdom is affirmed by the angel Gabriel‘s message during annunciation of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Similarities between the traditional African and Old Testament prophets

Both were approached to reveal and interprets God’s message to the people
In some cases prophets led people in religious rituals
In both cases they were consulted to settle disputes in community
In both cases they were charismatic personalities
They both condemned social injustices and evil
They felt the irresistible force to carry out God’s message
In both cases they had supernatural powers
They both warned people of impending danger and foretold the future
The prophecies in both came to pass
They were both called by god to convey his messages
Both were mediators between God and the people

Differences between Old Testament and traditional African prophets

prophecies of the old testament prophets were recorded and written while those of traditional African prophets were never written or recorded
old testament prophets were rejected by their own people while those from traditional African were loved by their own people
Traditional African prophetic character was hereditary while in the Old Testament was never hereditary.
Old testament prophets received their message from God while traditional African prophets received their messages from the spirits and ancestors
Old Testament prophets were universal while traditional African prophet were local i.e. elect with only one community.

The relevance of the Old Testament and the traditional African prophets to Christians today

Christian should lead a prayerful life
Christians should condemn in the evil in the society
Christians should preach the gospel to all people without discrimination
Christians should assure people of God’s protection in their lives if they obey God’s teaching
Christians should be courageous in when doing the work of God
Christians should lead exemplary lives
Christian should obey God’s message and those in lawful
Christians have a duty to reveals Gods nature to the people

[KCSE 2015 CRE PAPER 1 QUESTION 4A.]
State four differences between traditional African prophets and the Old Testament prophets. (8 marks)

The old testament prophets were called by God while traditional African prophets inherited their roles
Old testament prophets delivered messages to their own people and those outside their locality while traditional African prophets were concerned with their own communities
The prophecies of the old testament were recorded while those of the traditional African prophets were passed on orally
Old testament prophets spoke of the coming messiah while traditional African prophets did not have this concept
Old testament prophets were rejected in their communities while traditional African prophets were liked/respected by their communities
Old testament promoted monotheism/while traditional African prophets promoted polytheism.

Topical questions on selected prophets in old Testament

Gives the similarities between traditional African prophets and old testaments prophets (8mks)
Explain the roles of prophet in the old testaments (7mks)
State five titles given to the prophets in the old testaments (5mks )
Give the similarities between traditional African prophets and old testament prophets (8mks)
Give the five categories of prophet of prophets (5mks)

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NEXT >> the unity of believers

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Factors that have negatively influenced the role of the religious specialist

17/10/2016

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Factors that have negatively influenced the role of the religious specialist

The influence of Christianity; it associates the practices of these leaders with magic and witchcraft. Christian leaders are also given prominence over the traditional leaders.
The new government structures and political systems have taken over the roles of traditional leaders.
Formal education is used as a tool in choosing leaders as opposed to age, wisdom and experience used in traditional African communities.
Through migration, people from different cultures mix up and may not recognize local leaders.
Science and technology provides solutions to problems related to weather conditions and medical treatments. This disregards the work of rainmakers and herbalists.
Increased poverty makes some people engage in work of specialists without the necessary skills in their effort to earn a living.

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VENERATING AND COMMUNICATING WITH SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS

4/10/2016

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VENERATING AND COMMUNICATING WITH SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS

Veneration refers to the way in which respect and honour is accorded to the ancestors and spirits.
Ways in which traditional African communities demonstrated their respect to ancestors and spirits

Pouring libations.
Making sacrifices and giving offerings.
Naming children after them.
Praying to God through them.
Addressing them by their proper names and titles.
Inviting them to social functions e.g. birth, initiation, and marriage.
Teaching children about them.
Building shrines.

the-roles-of-god-spirits-and-ancestors.html

Communicating

Human beings communicate with spirits for a good or bad cause.
People communicate with the spirits through the religious specialists e.g. the diviners and mediums.
The religious specialists link human beings to the living world.
Mediums and diviners may become spirit possessed through;

Sitting quietly in a place.
Singing.
Dancing.
Clapping of hands.
Falling into a trance. The possessed person looses ones senses and becomes the spirit’s instrument.

The spirits speaks through the medium and reveals information on issues like finding lost property.mies in the society

The spirit may make certain demands on the living.
They may advice and give a warning on impending danger.
They may make promises of blessing to a given family or clan.

NB: It is the duty of the living to abide by what the spirits wants.

venerating-and-communicating-with-spirits-and-ancestors.html

Spirits that possess mediums are not harmful.
Evil spirits cause harm to those they posses.
People communicate with spirits through the following ways;
- Through divination.
- Singing and dancing to them.
- Recitation/ chanting and invoking their names.
- By making sacrifices to them.
- By saying prayers.
- By giving offerings.
- By giving sacrifices.
- Through burning incense.

the-responsibility-of-the-living-towards-ancestors-in-traditional-african-community.html

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TRADITIONAL AFRICAN WAYS OF WORSHIPING GOD

2/10/2016

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TRADITIONAL AFRICAN WAYS OF WORSHIPING GOD

Worship is the means through which human beings communicate with God.
Worship may be public or private, formal or informal, communal or individual and direct or indirect.

traditional-african-practices-that-promote-law-order-justice.html

Places where worship is conducted in African traditional society

Under sacred trees e.g. Mugumo tree.
On hilltops and rocks.
In caves.
At riverbanks and on the shores.
In the sacred forests.
In graveyards
At crossroads.
In the homes of some religious specialists.

traditional-african-attitude-towards-work.html

God is worshipped through the following ways;

Through sacrifices
Through offerings
Through singing and dancing
Through prayers.

1. Sacrifices

An animal is slaughtered in honour of God.
It involves the shedding of blood of human beings, animals or birds.
Sacrifices are carefully selected, since they are offered to the creator of the universe.
Animals offered have to be of one color e.g.
- Black.
- White.
- Brown.
They are given back to God as a sign of appreciation of what God has provided for them.

Why sacrifices are made to God, spirits and ancestors

To appreciate God as the source of life.
To thank God for the blessings to the people.
To appease God for the wrongs done.
To petition God for help during difficult times.
To invite God to participate in family and community functions.
To maintain a good relationship
To avert evil e.g. drought, famine, floods or epidemics.

Occasions when sacrifices where offered

During rites of passage i.e.
Birth and naming.
Initiation.
Marriage.
Death.
During disasters.
After a good harvest.
During installation of leaders.
During cleansing ceremonies.
During reconciliation ceremonies.
Before going to war.

Note

Sacrifices are offered by heads of families, priests, medicine persons.
Prayers accompany sacrifices.
They are acts of humility before their creator.

2. Offerings

It is another way of worshipping God.
It involves the taking of foodstuffs e.g. milk, water or honey and giving them to God.
Offerings are carefully selected.

3. Singing and dancing in worship

Songs and dances are performed during communal worship.
They are used in praising and thanking God.
Songs and dances make the worshipers emotionally connected with God.
Songs and dances are accompanied by clapping of hands, drumming and playing musical instruments.
They also promote solidarity among the worshippers.

4. Prayers.

They are verbal communications with God.

Prayers are mostly short and to the point.
Prayers are offered during important religious occasions. They pray in different ways e.g.
- Kneeling.
- Standing.
- Prostrating.
- Bowing.
- Facing certain directions.
- Raising hands.

differences-between-the-traditional-african-myths-of-origin-and-the-biblical-creation-storiesafrican-myths.html

5. Invocations

Short formal prayers e.g. “Help me, O God!” or “O Great God”.

6. Blessings

Blessings by an elder constitute acts of prayer. It is believed that the person blessing is doing so on behalf of God.

7. Salutations

e.g. “Dear God”.

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THE ROLES OF GOD, SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS

2/10/2016

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THE ROLES OF GOD, SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS

a. Roles of God

Refers to the functions/ roles of God which He plays in the world and peoples’ lives. They include;

God cares for his creation and can be invoked in times of need.
He is the giver and sustainer of life, provides necessities of life e.g. food, air, water and fire.
He protects human beings from evil, e.g. protects the weak and hears the cry of those unjustly treated.
He comforts the sorrowful e.g. heals the sick.

venerating-and-communicating-with-spirits-and-ancestors.html

He is the guardian of moral and ethical order. He punishes those who do evil.
He controls the spirits that are more powerful than humans.
He gives order to the universe and controls it. His activity didn’t end with creation.
Gives power to the religious specialists e.g. medicine persons, kings, priests and prophets. He communicates with them through dreams, trances and visions.
He answers prayers.

venerating-and-communicating-with-spirits-and-ancestors.html

B. The role of Spirits

Although spirits are invisible, they are believed to play an important role in the lives of the living. Generally people fear spirits; they are viewed as total strangers to the living. When they appear to humans, people feel disturbed. The roles of spirits include;

Some may be manipulated by human beings and cause harm to others e.g. with sickness and death.
Spirits can posses religious specialists e.g. medium and diviners and give them important information on how to handle people’s problems.
Spirits relay God’s response to human beings. In return human beings act according to the wishes of God through the spirits.
Bad spirits sometimes posses people.
Spirits guard sacred places.
They intercede for people before God.

write-down-five-activities-of-the-church-in-Kenya-which-show-that-the-holy-spirit-is-working-among-christians.html

C. Roles of ancestors

They are believed to appear to the living in various forms e.g. visions/dreams to enquire about the family affairs and to find out what is going on as they’re still part of the family.

May cause illnesses or mental disturbances.
Give instructions to the family as to what should be done in certain areas affecting it.
Rebuke and warn the living of the impending punishment to those who have failed to honour their obligation to them.
Request for something like animals to be slaughtered for them.
Interact with the living.

Act as mediators between the living and God.
Inflict punishments on offenders in society.
Bless the living members of the family.
Avert consequences of curses.
Protect human beings against evil.
Provide names to new born.
Preside over all religious ceremonies in the community.
Custodians of African traditional, moral culture and religious values.

KCPE PAST PAPERS AND ANSWERS

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Ways of dealing with evil doers in traditional African communities

12/9/2016

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Ways of dealing with evil doers in traditional African communities

Imposing heavy fines.
Performing cleansing rituals.
Killing of the evil doers.
Cursing of the evil doer.
Administering of oaths on suspects.
Wearing of protective charms.
Ex-communicating the evil doers from the community.
Ridiculing them through songs.
Denying them leadership positions.

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TRADITIONAL AFRICAN CONCEPT OF EVIL

12/9/2016

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TRADITIONAL AFRICAN CONCEPT OF EVIL

It is an offense against another person of the community or it is an offense against God, the spirits or ancestors.
African communities are aware of the existence of evil in the society and the existence of evil in the society and they try to avoid it.
African communities believed that God is good and did not create evil.
There are many ideas concerning the origin and nature of evil.

The following are some of the beliefs about the origin of evil;

Many African communities believed they could be malicious/malevolent spirits.
Such spirits could be having a grudge against the living who probably failed to pour libation and to give offering.
Evil people e.g. wizards, witches, sorcerers who are able to tap mystical powers and use if for evil. They therefore cause harm to the living
Breaking of taboos, this result in becoming ritually unclean.
Curses by parents and other older relatives e.g. uncles, grandparents, aunts etc.
This occurs because when one offends them e.g. through insults, neglect and disobedience.
Breaking of oaths/ a solemn promise.
Oaths were usually made in order to seal an argument or to defend one against malicious accusations.
Bad omen.
Certain acts, words or things which are believed to have the effect of causing harm.

similarities-and-differences-between-traditional-african-view-of-evil-and-biblical-concept-of-sin.html

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African concept of God, Spirits and Ancestors

Attributes of God as understood by African people

THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS SPECIALISTS IN AFRICAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR RELEVANCE TODAY

Similarities

Differences

​DEFINITION OF PROPHETS

​Prophecy

​The five categories of prophets

​Describe ways in which prophetic messages were written

​Relationship between the old testaments prophets and the New Testaments

​Similarities between the traditional African and Old Testament prophets

​Differences between Old Testament and traditional African prophets

​The relevance of the Old Testament and the traditional African prophets to Christians today

[KCSE 2015 CRE PAPER 1 QUESTION 4A.] State four differences between traditional African prophets and the Old Testament prophets. (8 marks)

Topical questions on selected prophets in old Testament

Factors that have negatively influenced the role of the religious specialist

reader's response

VENERATING AND COMMUNICATING WITH SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS

Communicating

C.R.E QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

TRADITIONAL AFRICAN WAYS OF WORSHIPING GOD

1. Sacrifices

Why sacrifices are made to God, spirits and ancestors

Occasions when sacrifices where offered

2. Offerings

3. Singing and dancing in worship

4. Prayers.

5. Invocations

6. Blessings

7. Salutations

C.R.E QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

THE ROLES OF GOD, SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS

a. Roles of God

B. The role of Spirits

C. Roles of ancestors

Ways of dealing with evil doers in traditional African communities

​TRADITIONAL AFRICAN CONCEPT OF EVIL

The following are some of the beliefs about the origin of evil;

C.R.E QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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DEFINITION OF PROPHETS

Prophecy

The five categories of prophets

Describe ways in which prophetic messages were written

Relationship between the old testaments prophets and the New Testaments

Similarities between the traditional African and Old Testament prophets

Differences between Old Testament and traditional African prophets

The relevance of the Old Testament and the traditional African prophets to Christians today

[KCSE 2015 CRE PAPER 1 QUESTION 4A.]
State four differences between traditional African prophets and the Old Testament prophets. (8 marks)

TRADITIONAL AFRICAN CONCEPT OF EVIL