Weeding syncretism from pentecostal wheat in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The swift spread, establishment, and dynamism of Pentecostalism has in its diverse manifestations stirred a multitude of complex questions and dilemmas. While its contextualization is intertwined with syncretism, by which is meant the incorporation or attempted amalgamation of different religions with diverse schools of thought, the exceptional growth of Pentecostalism in Zimbabwe far surpasses its connection with syncretic elements. This study reveals that most Pentecostals are diligent and aggressive in praying, planting churches, and living out their faith. Their commitment extends beyond mere words to contextually needful exploits, such as prophecy, healing, deliverance, and economic prosperity. However, their inclusive contextualization has at times ensnared them in potentially detrimental syncretic practices. Problematically, the evaluation of their syncretic practices is complicated by the delicate distinction between contextualization and syncretism. It is akin to the challenging task of removing weeds from a field of wheat, where there is a risk of uprooting the wheat prematurely. Engaging with existing literature, employing interpretive phenomenology and participative observations, this article explores how we should respond to Pentecostal syncretism. Refactoring the development of Pentecostalism in Zimbabwe through a number of factors such as its missionized apostolic governance, diversified economics, transformational leitourgia, aggressive kerygma, and contextualization, it draws lessons from the parable of the wheat and weeds (Matthew 13: 24 to 30, and verses 36 to 43) to propose sustainable strategies that can be used to manage syncretism without ravaging the integral Pentecostal missionary being.