The Catholic University of Zimbabwe

Presented to Catholic University of Zimbabwe in partial fulfilment of

An analysis into the problems created by different biblical teachings

By

JULIUS MOTSI R158312H

Date:
DECLARATION

Student

I, Julius Motsi hereby declare that this dissertation is a product of my investigation and effort
except where acknowledgements are made. This is, therefore my original work and was not
copied from elsewhere.

Signature:………………………………. Date:………………………………………

Supervisor

I ………………………………………… confirm that this dissertation was carried out by this

Signature ……………………………………. Date …………………………………..

To my parents Mr and Mrs Motsi, my wife and family as well as my supervisor and lecturers.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The research was made possible firstly by the grace of God the almighty. I would like to
thank all the lecturers who supported with relevant information and various church leaders
and members who participated in this research. My parents played a crucial role financially
and morally. My supervisor Dr Chimininge was always there as a reservoir of knowledge.
ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to investigate the problems created by different biblical teachings.
The study aimed at discovering different methods of healing, deliverance and baptism among
others and how these differences affect society and how they can be harmonised (solution)
Table of Contents

Declaration i

Dedication ii

Acknowledgement iii

Table of Contents iv

Chapter 1 - THE INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the study

1.2 Statement of the problem

1.3 Aim

1.4 Objectives

1.5 Significance of the study

1.6 Delimitations of the study

1.7 Limitations of the study

1.8 Definition of key terms

1.9 Chapter summary

2.0 Introduction

2.1 prophecy, healing and deliverance

2.2 The poor, rich and heaven

2.3 Giving and money in the church

2.4 Sin repentance and forgiveness

2.5 Sabbath day

2.6 Kingdom view – eschatological vision

2.7 Marriage, divorce and polygamy

2.8 Christian faith

2.9 Baptism

2.10 Speaking in tongues

2.11 The Holy spirit

2.12 The Christian culture

2.13 Chapter summary

CHAPTER SUMMARY

3.0 Introduction

3.1 Research design

3.2 Research paradigm

3.3 Phenomenological approach

3.4 Hermeneutical approach

3.5 Population

3.6 Sampling
 3.7 Data collection tools

3.8 Reliability and Validity

1. Interviews (Refer to Appendix A)

2. Questionnaire (Refer to Appendix B)

3.9 Ethical considerations

3.10 Chapter summary

CHAPTER 4

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Research findings

4.2.1 Christianity and culture as a cultural problem in the following denomination in

Roman Catholic, Salvation Army and AFM

4.2.2 Spiritual gifts as a religious problem within PHD and Anglican

4.2.3 Paradise – eschatological vision a theological problem with Jehova’s Witness,

PHD and AFM

4.2.4 Sabbath day a theological problem within Seventh day Adventist, Johanne

Marange and Salvation Army.

4.2.5 Poverty and Wealthy in church a societal problem

4.2.6 Offerings and tithes (money) a religious problem within PHD, Salvation Army

and AFM

4.2.7 Spirituality and the world a Christian mind set on religious problem within

AFM, Salvation Army, PHD and Anglican.

4.2.8 Sin, forgiveness and repentance – a theological problem within Johanne

Marange, Roman Catholic, Jehova’s Witness and Salvation Army.

4.2.9 Baptism – a theological problem within Roman Catholic, Salvation Army and
 AFM

4.2.10 Love and peace – a religious problem within PHD, AFM and Anglican

4.2.11 Marriage, divorce and polygamy a societal challenge within Johanne Marange,

Roman Catholic and Salvation Army

4.2.12 Analysis

4.2.13 Chapter Summary

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the study

1.2 Statement of the problem

1.3 Aims of the study

1.4 Objectives

1.5 Significance of the study

1.6 Delimitations

1.7 Limitations

1.8 Definition of terms

1.9 Conclusion
 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

This chapter introduces the study of the misconception of biblical principles in

Zimbabwean churches and their effects on society. The chapter gives the problem and its

settings under the headings background, statement of the problem, aims, objectives,

justification, delimitation, limitation and definition of terms.

1.1 Background of the study

Louis and Andre Retiff (1982), “I believe that what modern world expects of Catholics

today is that they should incarnate human values in so obvious a way, that they should

have so far reaching a sense of other people’s needs so disinterested a capacity to help

others in a competent manner, that a tangible proof of the truths of the gospel is provided

by their behaviour in this respect.” There is a sharp contrast to the values of modern

world and the Christian faith which has resulted in the contamination of the church with

false doctrines and practices which are not biblical. This is because churches are trying to

adopt modern values for their own interest. Today’s church finds it difficult to balance

between human values and religious values as both sets of values are constantly

intermingled. The same man pursues economic, scientific, social and religious ends and

activities. It is always difficult to see how the church can break away from the world and

follow biblical principles in a way that improves their reputation.

Zimbabwean churches have undergone tremendous change with some adopting somewhat

peculiar practices which have raised theological and cultural problems. The bible has

various teachings on baptism, Sabbath, giving, miracles and deliverance, sin, holiness and

righteousness as well as life after death. These are being interpreted and applied

differently causing division in Christian circles. They have caused theological, religious,
 social and cultural problems which have seen members of churches fighting one another

e.g AFM and Anglican church. The church today is not united as denominations such as

Roman catholic, Salvation Army, Anglican have their own views of Christian principles

while AFM and Seventh Day have different perceptions. Recently the PHD of Walter

Magaya has introduced a different sphere of healing and deliverance claiming to cure

AIDS etc. Chitando (2013) quizzed whether miracles attributed to prophets were coming

from God.

This research therefore seeks to explore these differences and establish the relevance of

these biblical principles in modern churches. Louis and Andre Retiff (1982) says there is

need for reforms and new spirit. We should admit that the behaviour of certain Christians

provides arguments in support of this prejudice against God. We are thinking of a certain

type of religiosity, a lack of courage, religious fatalism in the face of trials, resignation in

the face of injustice. The problem is that what Christians claim and what they actually do

are usually at contrast and therefore pose a serious question whether the problem is the

Christian or the principles Richard Chifford and George Macrae (1973) “At present time

widespread agnosticism and atheism appear to be of the outstanding hall marks of

contemporary western culture. Even in professed religious circles one finds clear

indications of a growing crisis in belief.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The biblical teaching has created conflicts and divisions within the church and society

resulting in unrest, in regards to the way they are applied in Pentecostal churches

compared to non-Pentecostal churches as well as the expectations of the society in

general.
1.3 AIM

The aim of this research is to analyse the misconceptions of biblical principles in different

denominations and the problems created in today’s church in light of its fundamental role

in the society.

1.4 OBJECTIVES

For the researcher to meet the aim of the study, the following objectives will be put into

consideration.

 To establish how biblical teachings, cause conflict within the church

 To establish the different interpretations of biblical teachings in different

denominations

 To establish how biblical teachings, affect traditional values and way of living

 To establish social, religious and cultural problems created by biblical teachings

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE

 Bring to light the problems facing churches due to incorrect interpretation of biblical

teachings

 Help in bridging the gap between Christianity and traditional beliefs and values

 It adds to body of knowledge

1.6 DELIMITATIONS

The research was confined to both Pentecostal and non Pentecostal churches in Harare for

financial reasons and targeting mainly pastors, prophets and Christians in general.
1.7 LIMITATIONS

 Interviews used were time consuming

 Some participants were shy to give full details (withheld information for security

reasons)

 Some participants did not really understand the questions and they ended up giving

wrong interpretations.

1.8 DEFINATION OF KEY TERMS

Church - group of Christians who believe in God

Christ - is derived from “chrism” that is from anointing, Christ is also priestly

of kingly man

Miracle - performance that cannot be understood by human mind and has a lot

of superstition

Gospel - word of God inspired by the holy spirit

Faith - belief in the ultimacy

Culture - set of beliefs and values

Data - raw facts gathered for purposes of analysis

Analysis - in depth study of a particular situation to extract causes and effects

1.9 CONCLUSION

This chapter introduced the study which is “An analysis into the problems created by the

biblical teachings in Zimbabwean churches and society.” This was achieved through a
 discussion of the background of the study, the statement of the problem, aims and

objectives, significance, delimitations and limitations of the study

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW / THEORATICAL FRAMEWORK

2.0 INTRODUCTION

2.1 PROPHECY, HEALING AND DELIVERANCE

This is a very controversial area that brings divisions within denominations especially

Pentecostal and non Pentecostal a prophet is defined as prophets communicate the message of

God to the audience, prophets foretell the future and warn people of impending dangers and

calamities. Amos says the day Lord shall be a day of mourning and wailing, Amos openly

rebuke the Israelites without seeking their favours “take away from me the noise of your

harps but let righteousness flow down like the waters.”

Today’s prophets are promising milk and honey in the form of prosperity such as cars, houses

and luxury goods, prophets use supernormal experiences according to Lindblom in the book

by Richard Clifford and George Macrae (1973). He subdivides these prophetic experience

into different categories and try to separate them from hallucinations as in the case of Ezekiel,

he concluded by using the term “pseudo-hallucination” to describe such ecstatic visions

broom makes much of the point that Ezekiel did not actually perform any of the actions he

spoke of – he merely thought he did (which makes them strictly speaking delusions)

The vision in chapter 8 in which Ezekiel is told to dig a hole in the wall is said to symbolise

coitus and to provide further evidence of the gender confusion in the prophet who felt like a
woman. Broom clearly brings out the indictment for psychosis (psychotic patients always

complain and have confused thought processes) can what prophets say be taken seriously as

we have witnessed cases of proclamation by prophets e.g Walter Magaya of PHD saying that

he has found cure for AIDS.

Prophets always claim that God has revealed himself to them and sometimes behave

ecstatically to prove their point. Frans J. Verstraelen (1996) points out that African Christians

no longer wish to experience the gospel with a personality which it owes to others, they have

gone on a search of their own, have developed their own thoughts and given their own shape

of things.

Healing and deliverance are done miraculously. Chitando (2013) quizzed whether miracles

attributed to prophets were coming from God. In the bible there are many miracles. Jesus

raised Lazarus from death (John 11 vs 43 – 44, Luke 4 vs 40) “But when the sun was setting

all those who had people seek with various diseases brought them to him, by laying his hands

upon each one of them he would cure them.

2.2 THE POOR, RICH AND HEAVEN (PROSPERITY)

The reason for going to church may not be clear to many who pursue wealth in the church.

Graham Stanton (2002) says in Mark 10 vs 23-25 Jesus shows how hard it is to enter heaven

and draws a comparison “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for

someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” In the opening beatitudes the poor, the

mourners and the hungry are declared to be happy and blessed, Mathew 5:3-6 a situation that

is contrary to the current situation where the poor are despised and regarded demonic

requiring deliverance, where is the gospel of prosperity emanating from and what really
qualifies one to enter heaven. Prophet Amos despised the rich for they sold the poor for a pair

of shoes and exploited the poor for their own gain.

Luke 18 vs 24 “How difficult a thing it will be for those having money to make their way into

the kingdom of God, Mark point out that money is a power which assimilates and contains

main exist stance and activity and stands over against him. Meditating his existence in terms

of itself rather than in terms of human life. Money is the root of all evil.

2.3 GIVING THE MONEY IN THE CHURCH

When people give in church, they are told they are giving to God and are encouraged to give

more to reap more. Giving is a biblical principle:

i) Offering

ii) Tithes

The reason for giving and how to give differ from denomination to denomination. Some give

a special seed directly to the hands of Man of God for divine help.

Luke 21 “Now he looked up and he saw the rich dropping their gifts into the treasury chests,

then he saw a certain needy widow dropping two small coins of very little value there and he

said I tell you truthfully this widow although poor dropped in more than they all did for all

these dropped in gifts out of their surplus but this woman out of her went dropped all the

means of living she had. True giving is from the heart and not how much you give.

2.6 REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS UNFORGIVABLE SINS

Mathew12 VS 31-32, “On this account l say to you every sort of sin and blasphemy against

the spirit will not be forgiven. For example, whoever speaks a word against the son of man it

will be forgiven but whoever speaks against the holy spirit, it will not be forgiven. Wages of
sin-death Romans 6 vs 12 “therefore do not let sin continue to rule as king in your mortal

bodies that you should obey their desires, for sin must not be master over you.”

Harry blamers (1963) “Christian are conscious of the universe as a battle field between the

forces of good and evil, it follows that the Christian mind has an acre and sensitive awareness

of the power and spread of evil upon the human sick note. The church sums up in the doctrine

of the original sin. The magnitude and variety of the evil forces waiting to in score the human

soul are hinted at in the triple formulation the world, the flesh and the devil. Isiah says “but

your inequities have separated you from your God and your sins have hidden his face from

you.” Our world is threatened overwhelming problems because we have rejected God. God

himself has made I clear through his prophets (reasons for human suffering). The so called

prophets have been recently involved n adulterous cases which tarnish the office of the men

God as custodians a role models.

2.4 SABBATH DAY

Acts 18 vs 4 “Jesus taught every Sabbath in the synagogue.”

Lord of Sabbath, Matthew 5 vs 1-5 “at that season Jesus went through the greenfield on the

Sabbath, his disciples got hungry and started to pluck heads of grain to eat, at seeing this the

Pharisees said to him look your disciple are doing what is not lawful to cure on the Sabbath’s

10 and look a man with a withered hand so they asked him is it lawful to cure on the sabbath,

he said to them who will be the man among you that has one sheep and if this falls into a pit

on the sabbath will not get hold of it and lift out , all considered of how much more worth is

a man than a sheep, so it is lawful to do a fine thing on the sabbath.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE IN THE CHURCH

glory”

2.5 KINGDOM VIEW-(PARADISE)AND THE ESCHATOLOGICAL VISION

Grahams Stanton (2002), “Does Jesus claim that God kingly rule is being experienced here

and now in his own message and miracles or is the kingdom a wholly future hope Mathew 6

vs 10, Luke 11 vs 2 the second petition of the Lord’s prayer asks your kingdom come, the

coming of the kingdom is a future hope. Franks J Overstain (1996) says to be a Christian and

to be a church implies enlisting in the life and mission of Jesus Christ who in bodies and

proclaim the kingdom of God, a kingdom which states a claim upon the whole created world

and everything upon it. The victory of God rule of justice and love assured through the cross

and resurrection of Jesus but it is not yet completed the horizon for Christian activity in the

world is therefore no earthly Utopia but a heavenly city, Gods new creation. This

eschatological vision and expectations is not an escape from the reality here and not it

supports the hope and perseverance in this struggle for healing and wellness in this world. 2

Corinthians 5 “for he knows that if our earthly house thus font should be dissolved we are to

have a building from God a house not made with hand everlasting in the heavens. The book

by the Adventist church in titled the Gospel of the kingdom talks of the following.

a) THE PROMISE OF THE COMING KINGDOM

“and in the days of these kings the lord of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall be left to

other people, it shall break in pieces and consume all the kingdoms and it shall stand forever

(Daniel 2:44) we have seen that Jesus Christ and the apostles preached the gospel, the good

news of the kingdom, there are many ideas about the kingdom of God, some think it is the

church, others believe it is an ethereal concept that render in the heart of Christian what does

the bible say and what is the kingdom of God. A careful examination of the bible reveals that
the next phrase of the kingdom is nothing short of world ruling mezerein that won establish

on earth through Jesus Christ.

Daniel 2:28-45 describes the king Nebuchadnezzar vision of five world ruling empires when

we read these verses we see that the fifth kingdom, the kingdom of God is literal kingdom

that has not yet come to earth.

Is the kingdom of God here now?

Luke 21:7-2 in this discourse Christ made it plain that the kingdom of God was not here yet.

He told his disciples that after these events people will see the son of man coming in a cloud

with power and great glory. When you see these things happening know that the kingdom of

God is near verses (27-31)

Christ clearly said that the kingdom of God will not be established on earth until after his

triumphant return in power and great glory.

Matthew 6 vs 9-10 “Our father in heaven hallowed be your name your kingdom come.” The

most common prayer Christians acknowledges that God’s kingdom is not here yet and that

Christians are to forever pray for its arrival. We see that the fourth kingdom continues to rule

until Christ returns to establish his kingdom on earth. God’s kingdom foretold repeatedly in

Daniel is the same kingdom about which Jesus Christ preached. There can be no mistake

about the nature of this kingdom. The four kingdoms described in Daniel 2 vs 7-8 ruled over

people and lands. They were great world empires with denominations and power to rule

warrying against and conquering other nations. They had kings, governments, laws and

subjects. They were lateral kingdoms whose remains are visible to this day.

So too will the kingdom of God be a lateral kingdom ruling over the whole earth Daniel 7 vs

27 speaking of the establishment of thy kingdom adds, then the sovereignty power and
greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints the

people of the highest. His kingdom will be everlasting kingdom and all waiters will worship

him and obey him.

Is the kingdom of God with you?

Many people believe Jesus Christ taught that the kingdom of God is something that exist only

in the hearts and minds of believers. They base this on Luke 17 vs 20-21 which says, now

when he was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he said the

kingdom of God does not come with observation nor will they say see here or see there for

indeed the kingdom of God is within you. Such assumptions are incorrect for several reasons.

Christ was pointing out the paradox that the Pharisees did not have the spiritual discernment

to recognise that the message of the kingdom of God was not at hand or being offered to them

Matthew 23 vs 15-17. To punctuate this point Jesus referring to himself said “the Kingdom of

God is among you.” The spiritually blind Pharisees did not recognise Jesus as the divine

representation of the Kingdom. Rather than telling the Pharisees that the Kingdom of God

was something in their hearts. Jesus Christ warned them that they were so spiritually blind

the couldn’t recognise the very personification of that Kingdom in him. There is no basis in

this passage for believing the Kingdom of God resides in one’s heart.

Is the Church the Kingdom?

Some think the church is the Kingdom. Although there is a connection between the two, they

are not identical. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church Ephesian 1 vs 22. We might say the

church is the precursor of the coming Kingdom of God or to put it in terms that Jesus Christ

used we can say that the Kingdom of God id similar to the proverbial mustard seed, wanting

for its germination and rapid growth of Jesus return ( Matthew 13 vs 31-32).
2.6 MARRIAGE, DIVORCE AND POLYGAMY

Hebrews 13 vs 4 “let marriage be honourable among all and the marriage bad be without

defilement for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.

Harry Blares (1963) “there is a ready acceptance of divorces and remarriages as preserving

the monogamous ideal is gaining ground in the society as a whole, but is specially among

wealth and well to do people and may be regarded as required conformity of the social

establishment. The Sunday mail of 28 July 2019 had this story of polygamy.

2.7 CHRISTIAN FAITH (TRUTH)

Harry Blares “God is worshipped that the church exists in order to cultivate in man and

women something called goodness. There is no subtler perversion of the Christian faith than

to treat it as a mere means to a worldly end, however admirable that end in itself may be. The

Christian faith is important because it is true. For Christian faith will remain true whether we

who prophecy it turns into heroic saints or into more miserable sinners. We must insist that

we worship God because he is God not because we want something out of him. In sphere of

religious and moral thinking we are rapidly heading for a state of intellectual anarchy in

which the difference between truth and falsehood will no longer be recognised. You do not

make the truth, you reside in the truth. Christian truth is objective, four square, unshakable. It

is not built of men’s opinion. It is not something fabricated either by scholars or by men in

the streets still less assembled from a million answers. Yes, no obtained from cross sections

of the human race. Christian truth is something given, revealed, laid open to the eye of the

patient, self-forgetful enquirer. We have to insist that Christian faith is something solider,

harder and tougher than even Christians like to think. Christianity is not a nice comforting
story that we make up as we go along. It is not a cosy day dream manufactured by each

person more or less to suit his own taste. It is a matter of hard fact.

2.8 BAPTISM

Edward M Burns (1986) say that baptism refer to emersion, dipping one in water or pouring

of water. Matthew 3 vs 16 “after being baptised Jesus immediately came up from the

water…..)

Colossians 2 vs 12 “for you were buried with him in his baptism.”

2.9 SPEAKING IN TOUNGES

1Corinthians 14 vs 13-16 “therefore let the one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may

translate. For if I am praying in a tongue it is my gift of the spirit that is praying….if you

offer praise with the gift of the spirit how will the man occupying the seat of the ordinary

person say amen to your thanksgiving since he doesn’t know what you are saying” verse 17-

19 “true you give thanks in a fine way but the other man is not being built up. I thank God

that I speak in more tongues than all of you. Nevertheless, in a congregation I would rather

speak five words with my mind that I might also instruct others orally than ten thousand

words in a tongue”

2.10 THE SPIRIT AND THE FLESH

1Corintinas2- the physical man vs the spiritual man. Spiritual man receives spiritual things

and the physical man cannot receive anything of the spirit. People pursue the desires of the

flesh.

2Corinthians6v14-18 “do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship

do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with

darkness……….. Therefore, get out from among them and separate yourselves”
2Corinthians5vs16 “consequently from now on we know no man according to the flesh……’

Christians find it difficult to separate things of the world and things of God. Scriptures tells

Christians that they are not of the world (John17vs14) and they must keep themselves from

worldliness. 2 Corinthians 2vs17

Timothy Dowley (1980) says the influence of many people from other nations to Rome added

the affluence society.