Cultural Anthropology Colloquium #4
2 Comments
Published by David Sills, D.Miss, Ph.D.
on Monday, February 27, 2006 at 4:16 PM. 
What are some of the aspects of animism that are essential to understand if we areto advance the kingdom among tribal peoples? Why is syncretism so common among tribal peoples where Christianity has already been introduced? And, how can it be avoided in the future? Do you find any "unconscious syncretism" tendencies in your church? If so, give some examples. Are sorcery, magic, and other types of witchcraft matters of concern for an evangelical missionary? What was the most helpful, insightful, or counter-intuitive aspect of this book to you?
http://lonestar.texas.net/~mseifert/devil.html
http://www.bartleby.com/217/1601.html
http://www.questia.com/SM.qst;jsessionid=GQFYpgJyDhH5FCpY9vyg7w321GYWnmhCJDC2GtfkxmbFNsZWlXpG!1012004678!-426229342
Hey guys. I normally let you guys have it, and I will after this. But, I wanted to address a concern about the sexual spirits. I have included a couple of websites. I found this sexual spirit (incubus) to be really weird, too. So, I started doing research in responsible spiritual warfare literature. I found people I loved and respected talking about this. I found some of my puritan heroes talking about this problem even in their churches sometimes. For instance, one said that there was a young girl who was actively seeking these encounters—even to the point of hurrying home from church to go to bed! This is really bizarre for me to think about. But in animistic, tribal, traditional cultures, there is much more belief in spirits and demons (as in our own western culture prior to the age of modernism). Be sure to watch for this in the next book and post
ANIMISM
It is essential to understand the nature of animism and how thoroughly it pervades the mindset of tribal peoples. Particularly vital is the role the spirits play over the events of life. Literally, all of life is influenced by the spirits and is, therefore, spiritual.
The powerful hold animism has, I would argue, stems from our being created in God's image and, therefore, spiritual beings. Humans seem to have an understanding that there is a spiritual dimension to life. This understanding has a particularly strong hold over animistic peoples in tribal settings. If we imagine a world in which every event, every belief, every occurence is explained given a spiritual explanation, it is not difficult to relate to the hold this has.
In terms of advancing the kingdom among tribals, it is important to determine a way to express biblical truth in a way that is understandable to animists. This, of course, does not mean changing the gospel, but, perhaps, addressing the more "spiritual" components of it. In our culture, I think we tend to emphasize the practical side of the gospel - our sin "debt", our desire for eternal "life", our need for "meaning and purpose" in life. The above words are in quotes, not to be disparaging about their use, but to note their cultural relatability. We need to do something similar in animistic cultures. So, while a discussion of Jesus "paying our sin debt" may work well in Western culture, the discussion of Paul in Colossians 2:15 about Jesus "disarming the powers and authorities" and making a "public spectacle of them" may work better in an animistic culture.
SYNCRETISM
It is the thoroughly ingrained nature of animism that leads to syncretism. In other words, for many in tribal contexts, it is inconceivable to be anything other than animistic. Animism is simply "reality." So, any other belief must be added to that which is already possessed. When we consider the "cargoism" that is so common, it is easy to understand the willingness of animistic peoples to accept the "white man's" beliefs and add them to their own. After all, if these beliefs have led to relative peace, "technological advance" and prosperity - who wouldn't want them?
I am not sure there is any sure-fire way to totally eliminate or avoid syncretism, but careful investigation of the tribal beliefs and careful teaching of the Scriptures are essential if we are to reduce the syncretism of tribals.
UNCONSCIOUS SYNCRETISM
Like the tribals, we are probably blind to most of the "syncretism" that we engage in. It simply seems natural. I didn't disagree with Sitton's examples of prayer, fasting, songs, communion, etc., but I also considered a few others as possibilities and wonder what the rest of the cohort might think.
For example, I suppose one could argue that things like the development of business models of leadership for the church could be an unconscious syncretism of Western culture in the church.
What about yoga? I remember we had an extended discussion here at the church about offering a yoga class a few years ago. The guy leading it wanted to offer it for exercise and as a way to do outreach. Unfortunately, the video tapes he was using were heavily influenced by Eastern religion. Would this have resulted in a syncretism of Christian belief (evangelism) and Eastern religion (yoga as expression of belief, not exercise)?
PERSONAL
I was stretched by how little I regard the spirit world, particularly compared to tribals. I wonder if the pendulum hasn't swung a bit too far for Sitton, as he seems to couch everything in spiritual / warfare terms.
Sitton's entire discussion of God, gods, and spirits (p.45-58)was a little difficult to follow for me, as I could not distinguish the times he was describing the beliefs of animists and his own. It seems this issue arose for others during the discussion of sexual spirits. That definitely stretched my thinking. Especially his suggestion that "a disembodied spirit possesses and then performs through a human being and sexually overtakes the victim." (p 56-57). Was Sitton describing rape here? And, if so, is the perpetrator not responsible? I wonder if any defense attorneys have read this book!
Overall, Sitton opened my eyes to consider the spiritual dimension of life and ministry. As sad as it is to say, it is an area I have not been as attentive to as I should.