FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:
FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:
FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:
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about the fact that 'chikondi changwiro citaya kunja mantha' ('perfect love drives out<br />
fear') (v.18). Because God created both our 'fathers' and us'muchikhalidwe chake' ('in<br />
his likeness'), his miyambo (customs, laws), not yamakolo (ancestral), become ours.<br />
One ofthe problems apparent in the booklet chilangizo is that fear is emphasized. It was<br />
also emphasized in the reactions of the alangizi who would tell the girls 'you must not<br />
shame us!' The love ofGod now becomes the motivating factor for Chewa Christians to<br />
obey the word of God. If it is only fear of punishment then they are no better off than<br />
those who adhere to traditional beliefs.<br />
However, Chewa Christians' allegiance and obedience to their new Ancestor, Jesus<br />
Christ does not cut them off completely from their past history. Nor does their new<br />
identity in Christ make the Chewa Christians abandon their ancestors to 'hell.' There is<br />
need to realise that the same God who has loved us before the foundation of the world,<br />
does have something to do with our past (ancestors). Just as Hebrews 11 shows us bibli<br />
cal ancestors who were not perfect, it provides us with a 'model and guide by which we<br />
can understand similar journeying in the lives of our [lineage] ancestors' (Bediako<br />
2002:5).<br />
With regard to belief in mdulo diseases, we have seen that modem medical diagnosis<br />
has been given to the symptoms and causes for mdulo, (Van Breugel 2001:208). The<br />
Scriptures acknowledge the traditional belief that some diseases indeed are spiritually<br />
caused and can only be healed spiritually. One example in the New Testament is a<br />
woman 'who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years' (Luke 13:10-13). Such<br />
illnesses cannot be healed by mere 'scientific' medical treatment. While traditional<br />
healers use spiritual powers to heal mdulo, such healing is temporary, and Christians<br />
require the power of God through Jesus Christ for 'complete healing.' This means that<br />
while Jesus restores people to physical health, he is concerned with their total well<br />
being as well. 77 It is, therefore, not enough just to mention in passing that 'mdulo has no<br />
power.' Chewa Christians need to pray for the complete healing power of Jesus Christ<br />
in cases ofspiritual-related illnesses.<br />
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