This was probably the first serious theological study by an African scholar of the African response to the Christian faith. It opened the research field, provided a reference point, and paved the way for future investigation. It is now regarded as a seminal work, central to historical understandings of the theology of indigenous African Christianity, its relationship with indigenous African religions, African prophet movements and the independent churches. To this day, it remains one of the most authoritative academic sources on religious innovation in Africa in the twentieth century.

The basis for this project is to verify and determine the extent to which contemporary prophetic ministry in Ghana appropriates prophetism in the early church, Corpus Paulinum, and traditional prophetism in Ghana. The spirit of prophecy which was believed to have ceased in Judaism and during the intertestamental period has now been restored at the inauguration of Christianity. Notwithstanding, Paul gave stipulations for prophets and prophecy in the church in 1 Corinthians 14. This confirms that prophecy was a common phenomenon in the early church and Pauline communities. Contemporary prophetic ministry in Ghana claimed to have conformed to Pauline stipulations concerning prophets and prophecy in the church, but what is their level of conformity? Contemporary prophetic ministry is becoming popular due to its appeal and compatibility with religious worldviews and its pragmatic outlook that resonates with the Ghanaian phenomenon of religion. As an adherent of the Akan traditional religion would go to a religious intermediary for ebisa (literally to “inquire” or “ask”) into present or future happenings, contemporary prophets have positioned themselves to be agents of ebisa in Ghanaian Christianity. This book explores biblical and traditional understandings of prophetism that have influenced contemporary Christian understanding of prophets and prophecy in the church.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The basis for this project is to verify and determine the extent to which contemporary prophetic ministry in Ghana appropriates prophetism in the early church, Corpus Paulinum, and traditional prophetism in Ghana. The spirit of prophecy which was believed to have ceased in Judaism and during the intertestamental period has now been restored at the inauguration of Christianity. Notwithstanding, Paul gave stipulations for prophets and prophecy in the church in 1 Corinthians 14. This confirms that prophecy was a common phenomenon in the early church and Pauline communities. Contemporary prophetic ministry in Ghana claimed to have conformed to Pauline stipulations concerning prophets and prophecy in the church, but what is their level of conformity? Contemporary prophetic ministry is becoming popular due to its appeal and compatibility with religious worldviews and its pragmatic outlook that resonates with the Ghanaian phenomenon of religion. As an adherent of the Akan traditional religion would go to a religious intermediary for ebisa (literally to "inquire" or "ask") into present or future happenings, contemporary prophets have positioned themselves to be agents of ebisa in Ghanaian Christianity. This book explores biblical and traditional understandings of prophetism that have influenced contemporary Christian understanding of prophets and prophecy in the church.

This study traces the historical antecedents of the prophetic phenomenon in Ghana and shows its recurrence in Ghanaian Christianity. It identifies four types of prophets in the Church of Pentecost, namely, Prophesiers, Singing Prophets, Grassroots Prophets and Institutionalised Prophets. It is Grassroots Prophetism which forms the main thrust of the work and which together with prophetism in New Prophetic Churches' (NPCs) in neo-Pentecostalism constitute what we call Peripheral Prophetism. Peripheral prophetism demonstrates how the dialectic of Pentecostals' biblical understanding and the Akan religio-cultural worldview informs and underpins their quest for meaning in this life. It also reveals that undergirding Ghanaian Pentecostal prophetism's belief in supernature is the causal other (abonsam/bayifo) of evil and suffering. In negotiating the other Pentecostal prophets propose Christological subversions via various ritualistic symbolisms or prophetic practices. Amidst the challenge it poses to us Pentecostal prophetism offers hope to Ghanaian Christianity due to its ability to respond to soteriological and pastoral needs. In all the study challenges Ghanaian Pentecostals to re-examine their spirituality in order to make their faith meaningful to the Ghanaian public life.