Why some African independent Pentecostal churches do not preach the Trinity
: an examination of Trinitarianism within the London metropolis

Student thesis: Doctoral ThesisDoctor of Philosophy

Abstract

The teaching or preaching of the Trinity within African Pentecostal Churches is a rarity. As a Pastor with 20 years of ministerial experience, I cannot recollect having taught or meditated on the topic. This experience goes beyond my own ministry and extends to experiences within a vast number of other African Pentecostal Churches worldwide. The lack of literature on the subject is also indicative of the validity of my assumption, hence prompting me to probe into why, like most African clergy, I tend to avoid such a topic. Considering the above, this research seeks to answer the question of why African Pentecostal Churches avoid preaching on the Trinity. Qualitative research methods were utilised in order to delve into why this is the case, especially within the context of African Pentecostalism. Subsequently, the research focuses predominantly on interviews with clergies of African Pentecostal Churches within the London orbital motorway and neighbouring Essex churches on the boundaries of the motorway. This fieldwork yielded “pattern-theories” on what the Pastors believe about the doctrine of the Trinity and their reasons why. Through the analysis of the interview data, certain factors, including the Trinity from the African perspective, the mysticism of the doctrine in the African church and the role of the Trinity in society, were revealed as determining the relationship between African Traditional Religion and Christianity, resultantly having an influence on their perspective on the Trinity. The study also suggests that there are other important doctrines that are more pertinent to the African churches than that of the Trinity and indicate that unknowingly, many of these churches have adapted Emmanuel Kant’s position on the Trinity that the doctrine has nothing of value. Furthermore, this research concludes that the complexity of the doctrine appears to have caused a total abandonment of the doctrine, hence remaining an enigma to the church.
Date of Award1 May 2019
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • King's College London
SupervisorPaul Joyce (Supervisor)

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