Reconstructing Christian Culture toward the Globalization of Gospel Vision: Identity,Empowerment,and Transformation in an African Context

Abstract

This essay explores the cultural phenomenon of globalization ushered in through worldwide economic market expansions, international travel, technological advances, and rapid Internet communications. These transformations are influencing and changing not only cultures and individual nation-states; they are also impacting religious meaning and faith everywhere. By examining the case study of the Sakalava people of Madagascar, who practice an indigenous religion known as tromba spirit possession, we can learn how this specific cultural and religious context copes with external economic, political, cultural, and religious forces. The research also explains how Christianity needs to interact with the Sakalava religion in reconstructing the Sakalava culture and discovering gospel values already present and active. This has worldwide implications for a Christian mission of evangelization. The article concludes by outlining some consequences for Christian evangelization that attend to the local and the universal impact of the gospel vision.