Practices and Narratives of Breakthrough

Pentecostal Representations, the Quest for Success, and Liberation from Bondage

Bibliographic Data

ID3932195
AuthorsPrimus M Tazanu (0000-0001-8038-8911, Wits Centre for Diversity Studies, University of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume46
Issue1
Pages32-66
Publication date2016-11-09
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Religion in Africa (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-4200 • E-ISSN: 1570-0666
PublisherWalter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1163/15700666-12340063
OpenAlexW2563635459
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited56

Instant healing, performance of miracles, public exorcism, supply of blessed objects for protection, and prophetic abilities are major religious practices that account for the popularity of certain Pentecostal leaders in contemporary Africa. Prophet T.B. Joshua, a renowned Nigerian televangelist, is one of them. Through his Emmanueltvchannel, he informs 'viewers all over the world' that invisible but influential evil forces are responsible for their daily challenges and that people can enjoy prosperity when they are purged of malevolent spirits. This article describes the practices and narratives of liberation from unknown bondage by Cameroonians who draw inspiration from T.B. Joshua's prophetic messages and displays. The aspects covered include the desire to embark on a pilgrimage to T.B. Joshua's church in Nigeria and actors' use of his blessed religious objects to neutralise, destroy, or fight off invisible evil forces suspected of halting their socioeconomic progress

Aesthetics · Art · Exorcism · History of religions · Literature · Narrative · Pilgrimage · Political science · Popularity · Prosperity · Sociology · Theology · African studies and sociopolitical issues · Anthropological Studies and Insights · Anthropology · Law · Philosophy · Postcolonial and Cultural Literary Studies · Religious studies

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