Title:
THE MYSTERY OF MYSTICAL POWER, EVIL MAGIC, WITCHCRAFT AND SORCERY IN AFRICA AND THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE

Authors:
Dickson Nkonge Kagema ,Kenya

Abstract:
With the effects of globalization changes in the socio-economic, political and religious life in every part of the global village called the earth have been inevitable. In this regard, Africa has not been left behind. Africa like any other continent has been invaded by a world revolution which has affected every aspect of life. What is very interesting however is the fact that this change has failed to very much influence the way Africans think concerning the traditional belief in mystical power in its manifestation as divination, magic, witchcraft and sorcery. Africans have gladly accepted many of the changes brought about by western education, Christianity and other religions, science and technology, mass media etc., but they have continued to hold firmly to the belief in the effect of magic, witchcraft and sorcery. This paper argues that magic, witchcraft and sorcery continue to affect the social, economic, political and religious life of the African people yet Christianity, the religion followed by the majority of the Africans has failed to offer any solution. Following the missionary Church, the Church in Africa has condemned the African belief in magic, witchcraft and sorcery as evil and primitive exhorting its followers to ignore such beliefs and practices but conversely many African Christians still believe in these manifestations of mystical power. Rather than reputing this African belief and practice, the Church should use it as an avenue of evangelization. Christian evangelization can only be meaningful and relevant if it openly and genuinely considers the culture of the people