An Analysis and Response to the Fear of Evil Spiritual Forces Among Kamba Christians in the Light of Biblical and Ellen G. White Teachings

AN ANALYSIS AND RESPONSE TO THE FEAR OF EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES AMONG KAMBA CHRISTIANS IN THE LIGHT OF BIBLICAL AND ELLEN G. WHITE TEACHINGS by Joseph Mutune Ndisya Adviser: Bruce L. Bauer ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH DissertationOF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: AN ANALYSIS AND RESPONSE TO THE FEAR OF EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES AMONG KAMBA CHRISTIANS IN THE LIGHT OF BIBLICAL AND ELLEN G. WHITE TEACHINGS Name of researcher: Joseph Mutune Ndisya Name and degree of faculty adviser: Bruce L. Bauer, D.Miss. Date completed: April 2015 This research aimed to discover whether there are any reasons from the Scriptures and writings of Ellen G. White regarding fear of evil spiritual forces. Thus research aims to understand the historical, cultural and religious reasons Kamba Christians frequently live in fear and dual allegiance. Biblical solutions will be suggested to permanently eliminate that fear. Fear is often so great that born-again Christians carry protective devices and practices which they believe will ward off the invading evil spiritual forces. The Old Testament writings were examined to see how God wanted His people to relate to any evil power. The Old Testament teachings on such powers were examined, as were God’s attitudes towards the people who used evil spiritual powers. Selected New Testament writings were examined to see how Jesus, the disciples, and Paul dealt with evil spiritual powers. The writings of Ellen G. White were also examined to note how her writings explain the workings of evil spiritual powers. The Kamba worldview was also examined to note its contribution. It was found that there were no biblical or Ellen G. White writings that justify the fear of evil spiritual powers. According to the Kamba worldview, however, it was found that a Christian must replace his or her worldview with a Bible-based worldview. One has to glean critically whether there is justification for any Christian to carry in his/her pocket a device from satanic powers to ward off evil spiritual powers sent to the Christian by an evil satanic person and after that make a concluding determination on whether there is any reason to fear evil spiritual powers. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary AN ANALYSIS AND RESPONSE TO THE FEAR OF EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES AMONG KAMBA CHRISTIANS IN THE LIGHT OF BIBLICAL AND ELLEN G. WHITE TEACHINGS A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Joseph Mutune Ndisya April 2015 ©Copyright by Joseph Mutune Ndisya 2015 All Rights Reserved AN ANALYSIS AND RESPONSE TO THE FEAR OF EVIL SPIRITUAL FORCES AMONG KAMBA CHRISTIANS IN THE LIGHT OF BIBLICAL AND ELLEN G. WHITE TEACHINGS A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Joseph Mutune Ndisya APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Faculty Adviser, Bruce L. Bauer Professor of World Mission Director, PhD in Religion Thomas Shepherd Jerry A. Moon Professor of Church History Dean, SDA Theological Seminary Jioi Moskala Gorden R. Doss Professor of World Mission Darius W. Jankiewicz Professor of Theology Bruce Moyer Retired, Professor of World Mission Andrews University Date approved