20SP_RE201A-CI-Christianity

Like Noah, I was surprised to learn that there was not much emphasis on Heaven. There is always much suffering in this world, that I think Heaven would be a much more hopeful thing to look upon. How would someone who has a rough back ground or circumstances handle this even if they were a very faithful person, knowing that they receive the good on Earth if they are faithful. Also not having specific beliefs was interesting. It focused on personal feelings in the religion.

I found it very intriguing to learn about deliverance. The explanation of the "why" to their "unusual" techniques of prayer was very clarifying and helped me understand more of the way African culture is incorporated into Christianity. 

I thought that it was very interesting at how engaged they were the entire time that the service was going on and the energy that filled the room when they were praising. 

The most surprising apect of this lesson is how little heaven is emphasized in African Christianity. I would think that the desire to numb oneself in this life by looking forward to the next life would be more comforting.  As I was thinking abut how many of my Lutheran family members would react to this neo-Pentecostalism in Africa, I was thinking about how African Christians would react to my Lutheran Family members. I think they'd be shocked to find out that they go to church devoutly just to shoo away feelings of guilt. They'd also be surprised at how little it's talked about or referenced in any other part of their life besides two hours on Sunday.

It was interesting to me that they believed that only using prayer could be used to rid their souls of demonic spirits. 

All African religions are centered around maximizing blessings and minimizing misfortune in their lives. This translates into African Christianity through the lack of emphasis on heaven yet the presence of belief in heaven shows the growth and change from religious customs. It is so different to hear of a Christianity that does not emphasize belief or heaven because that is what seems to make Christianity what it is to modern Americans.

I didn't know that deliverances was basically the same as an exorcism.

In reading about the "demonic doorways" and how the different orifices provided an entry way for demons to enter. I am just curious, and maybe I missed the answer, but how exactly can you "block" these entrances of possibly becoming a doorway? It talks about how to avoid being an easy victim, but you really can't block the entrance way. So, therefore, you will always be subjected to becoming a victim, easy or not. 

It is interesting for me to think that from their point of view they have the answer as to what Christianity is supposed to look like. In their eyes, we as the United States or even as the global north or West or whatever are lost and need them to remind us of what Christianity should look like. This is interesting considering we so often see our selves as their savior and the one that has the duty to bring Christianity to them and to the rest of the world.

Perhaps it is because I am used to the image of Western churches, but I found the service at the end of the video disturbing.  Especially the exorcism.  I'm confused on how they pick the people to be exorcised, first of all.  Second, I don't know how screaming in their faces helps.  I also don't understand the act of fits and acting possessed.  Perhaps it is my own cultural blinkers that leave me confused and disturbed by what I saw, but personally, I would hate to be in a church service like that.

I was really confused on why they were so focused on getting the demons out, and how everything was fine after that. It really was confusing how they all thought everything was fine afterwards, not just sin and everything, but being possessed.

I found it intriguing that the churches in the video claimed that they now had more power and Holy Spirit than churches in the United States. I found it sort of judgmental. Who is to say who has more Holy Spirit? I feel that yes the United States is lacking in consistent church attendance, but the Christians here in the United States also have more of a focus on the joys to come in heaven versus the deliverance from the day to day problems. 

My thoughts shifted from reading about "demonic doorways." The belief that sin can enter through your ear from bad music fascinated me. And there were many other examples of "demonic doorways." From the lecture video, I really liked the comparison made between Acts and what was happening at the present time. 

Its so odd to me that so many of these religions hardly preach out of the Bible and really only talk/ spend time with God for their own success and happiness.  I agree it is tempting to pray to God and get carried away asking for him to fulfill your wants and needs, but they don't see, to look to him for eternal life.  Strange concept.

I was really shocked watching the documentary. Towards the end when they were bringing the people on stage and "getting the evil out," it was strange, and also weird that they said all of Christianity is progressing to that. I learned a lot that I did not know before. 

The lesson and especially mini documentary really shifted my way of thinking in terms of the adaptability of people and how they can apply their own cultures to Christianity. When the pastor was talking about Africans reading the book of Acts it made sense why they took to pentecostalism. Every culture relates to different parts of the Bible and can apply aspects of their lives to it. 

It was interesting to me that the African Christians believe that their way of animated worship brings them a more powerful presence of God compared to sedentary Western services. The interesting factor of the volume of church services is a unique measure of divine presence.