A radical rethinking of the nature of magic brings surprising results in a reanalysis of some of the widely perceived weaknesses of the African church. The pervasive effects of magic result in witchcraft being widespread and confine people to following complex codes of conduct throughout their lives. Western institutions and initiatives all too often flounder. A danger highlighted is the almost inadvertent promotion of the prosperity gospel on the part of those who teach the total defeat or irrelevance of occult powers by Christian believers. There is a great need for deeper understanding of magic and the missiological implications that follow.
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