SOCIO-RELIGIOUS ELITISM, BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION, AND NEO-PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The neo-Pentecostal movements’ phenomenon, an offshoot of classical and second wave of Pentecostalism, has gained robust attention both in religious and academic discourse in Africa and global space. It has been tagged the “New African Pentecostalism” and “New prophetic movement,” and thereby attesting to its new fangled nature. The movement’s approach to biblical interpretation calls for scholarly concern. This essay studies Nigeria’s version of neo-Pentecostalism, and augments the contemporary discourse on the phenomenal movement but from its elitist’s point of view vis-a-vis its impact on biblical interpretation and Christian values. The anxiety hangs on the human actors in the movement: man ought to cherish and promote his self-esteem and elitism but when it is not properly managed such is capable of competing with biblical Christianity by aiding and abetting subjective Christian life. This essay frowns at elitist-driven neo-Pentecostal hermeneutics in which Christian fundamental doctrines are relegated but rather promotes social pride and exclusivism. It posits that socioreligious elitism bred in neo-Pentecostalism can hamper the social and religious values needed for socio-political transformation in Nigeria. The paper employs observation and evaluative methods alongside secondary sources as tools to elicit information in its discussion.