Original Research

Regenerated without being recreated? A soteriological analysis of the African neo-Pentecostal teaching on generational curses

Collium Banda
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 76, No 3 | a5941 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v76i3.5941 | © 2020 Collium Banda | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 12 January 2020 | Published: 28 July 2020

About the author(s)

Collium Banda, Unit for Reformational Theology and the Development of the South African Society, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

Abstract

The African neo-Pentecostal (ANP) teaching that Christians continue to suffer from generational curses or bloodline curses is analysed from the perspective of Christian salvation as spiritual recreation. The main question considered in this article is: Soteriologically, how may we evaluate the ANP view that ‘born again’ Christians remain vulnerable to generational curses? The article describes the ANP assertion that Christians live under the threat of generational curses. Furthermore, the ANP’s understanding of the nature of generational curses is examined. Attention is further given to the ANP’s view of the role played by a person’s blood in the transmission of generational curses and how this makes Christians vulnerable to generational curses after their conversion. The article also analyses how the doctrine of generational curses expresses a notion of Christian salvation with limited creative powers in Africa. Lastly, some elements that should inform an understanding of Christian salvation when addressing the fear of generational curses among the ANPs are proposed. The significance of this article lies in contributing a theological analysis that will help African Christians find confidence in their Christian salvation.

Contribution: The article attempts to contribute towards the formulation of a biblically informed systematic theological framework of analysing and critiquing the logic of salvation in the ANP teaching that generational curses remain on regenerated Christians.


Keywords

generational curses; African neo-Pentecostalism; salvation; spiritual security; regeneration; demons; prosperity; deliverance

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