March 9, 2006

BERLIN, Germany/GENEVA – An international consultation in Berlin, Germany, marked the final phase of a four-year study program of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Department for Theology and Studies (DTS) on "Spiritualism as a Global Challenge for Churches." The study process is aimed at helping Lutheran churches around the world understand indigenous spiritualities and spiritualistic movements in their respective contexts.

Participants in the 12-18 January 2006 meeting discussed, among other issues, how churches should respond, for example, to congregation members who, in the face of difficult life situations, seek healing and consolation in traditional indigenous as well as spiritualistic rituals. A key question was whether Lutheran churches should allow the worship of ancestors. The group also analyzed the possible implications of such movements for Lutheran identity, dialogue and mission.

"We realized that churches around the world are confronted with such questions. This is why the LWF Council unanimously approved the study program despite the sensitive and controversial nature of this subject," said DTS Study Secretary for the Church and People of Other Faiths, Rev. Dr Ingo Wulfhorst. "In spite of the diversity presented in the different continents and cultures, one can still compare the theological and missionary concerns linked to the respective situations," he noted. "Churches could learn from experiences gained in the different parts of the world," he added.

"Exceptional Human Experience"

Prof. Johan L. F. Gerding, lecturing at the Institute of Parapsychology, Utrecht University, and the Faculty of Philosophy, Leiden University, both in the Netherlands, pointed out that many people had so-called exceptional human experience. "Although unusual and often frightening for the individual concerned, such happenings must be viewed as normal in view of the large number of cases reported," he explained. This fact alone could be of help to those concerned. Bereaved persons, who involuntarily experience a sense of contact with the deceased should be able to talk about such events in their congregations, and receive understanding instead of exclusion. He however warned, people should not seek contact with the deceased or spirits out of self-interest or intention.

Commemorating the Dead – Ancestoral Worship?

During a discussion on ancestoral worship, Prof. Paul Chung, Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, USA, spoke about the situation in Asia, where many missionaries had asked their congregations to reject traditional ancestoral worship, likening the practice to idolatry. He said Christians in the successive generations were considering how honorable commemoration of ancestors could include awareness about the Fourth Commandment.

Dr Sylvester B. Kahakwa, systematic theology lecturer at the Makumira University College of Tumaini University, Tanzania, said worship of ancestors also plays a major role in Africa, and influences people's lives significantly. He stated his strong stance against labeling ancestors as agents of Satan. After all, the Old Testament commemorates the forefathers and describes God as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the African theologian argued. "Jesus as the first and most powerful ancestor – could this be an interpretation of Christianity in African thinking?" he asked.

Emeritus professor Klaus Nuernberger from South Africa stressed, "What is important is that Jesus himself is present among the people." He said this would hardly succeed if Christ were to be placed at the far end of a list of ancestors. Ancestors should be honored, he agreed, but they should not determine the existence of the living. Christians did not need any medium to God, and the churches' obligation was to ensure that the real presence of Christ could be experienced through proclamation. The message to be conveyed ought to be that Christ genuinely accepts the concrete daily needs, and not only forgiveness of sins in the last judgement.

Final Study Document on Spiritualistic Movements

The results of four regional seminars were evaluated during the Berlin consultation, and a final study document titled "Spirits, Ancestors and Healing: Global Challenges to the Church" was elaborated. The publication to be produced in May this year will be a reference for Lutheran churches around the world in discussions on this subject, at theological seminaries and congregations, and also as a guide and source of advice when dealing with such concerns. Each chapter contains proposals on how to deal appropriately with the challenges of spiritualism and worship of ancestors.

Regional study seminars were held in Latin America in 2002, Europe in 2003, and Africa and Asia in 2004. The participation of representatives of LWF member churches, theology professors, experts on spiritualism and representatives of traditional indigenous religions and spiritualistic movements facilitated the deliberations, exchange of experience and discussion of possible action.

Three study documents were published as a result of the regional seminars – "Spiritualism: A Challenge to the Churches in Europe," "Ancestors, Spirits and Healing in Africa and Asia: A Challenge to the Church," and "Espiritualismo/Espritisimo: Desafios para Igreja na América Latina." They can be ordered at: The Lutheran World Federation, Department for Theology and Studies, 150 Route de Ferney, P. O. Box 2100, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland; Tel. +41-22-791-6111, Fax: +41-22-791-6630, E-mail: Liesch@lutheranworld.org.

Lutheran World Information