Spiritual Warfare Approaches Among Select Christian Groups in Nairobi (An Exploratory Case Study Approach)

Abstract

This research was aimed at exploring the various approaches to spiritual war- fare being employed by select Christian groups in Nairobi. It attempted to explain the meaning of spiritual warfare as seen by the select groups. With today's in- creased interest in the occult, the Christian needs to be aware of the battle between him or her and the devil and prepare to fight. An exploratory case study approach was used, adopting a focus group method- ology and in-depth interviews to gather data for analysis. A focal objective of this study involved seeking answers to several important questions like, what is the meaning of spiritual warfare? Why is the Church engaged in spiritual warfare? What activities occur during spiritual warfare practices? Most of the current writings and recent statements on spiritual warfare have come from Europe, America or somewhere else other than Africa. The applicabil- ity of their approaches and underlying theologies to Christians outside the Euro- pean or American cultures is a question one cannot overlook. The problem looms wider as one faces the issue of little or no publication on the topic of spiritual warfare from the African Christians' points of view. African theologians have written more on topics but few publications on spiritual warfare, thus offering little insight from this cultural context. The Bible, particularly the New Testament, enjoins the believer to wisely approach spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10-18) and this according to Mark Bubeck, must be based upon a biblical, doctrinal approach (Bubeck 1975, 20). Insights acquired from this study help update the present or current knowledge of Church and para-church organizations currently practising spiritual warfare. Secondly, it enables the churches, and para-church organizations and individu- als interested in spiritual warfare to know the various churches and organiza- tions already involved in active spiritual warfare. This could facilitate coopera- tion among churches and organizations and provide resources for one another, and also provide additional methods of spiritual warfare. Thirdly, and finally, this study provides a contrast between Western/European and Africa/traditional paradigms of spiritual warfare.