Haase_UZ_x007E_DTh (2).pdf - South African Theological Seminary

Animistic beliefs are also far more prevalent in the ‘secular’ West than commonly
believed. Throughout the United States, for example, many people are ‘superstitious.’
They do not step on lines; they wear their lucky hat, carry a rabbit’s foot, or hang a Native
American ‘dream catcher’ from the rear view mirror in their automobile. In this
traditionally Christian and secular culture, such practices are not publicly endorsed, but
such beliefs and practices are widespread. David Hesselgrave said: “Cults and the occult,
Satanism and witchcraft, are not only surviving on the mission fields of the world, they
are also thriving there and simultaneously invading the Western world” (Hesselgrave,
1988:205). In 1986, Lesslie Newbigin plainly identified Western culture as Pagan. This
culture, “born out of the rejection of Christianity is far more resistant to the Gospel than
the pre-Christian Paganism with which cross-cultural missions have been familiar”
(Newbigin, 1986:20).
The new attitude toward religion and the
proliferation of religious practices has to be
understood as part of the revolt against
modernity. The modern ideologies of
indefinite progress and social utopia were
actually myths that attracted and mobilized
the masses for action. Their collapse has
brought awareness of a vacuum and
disillusionment about the reality of human
reason to give meaning to life and provide
answers for deep existential questions. This
is at the root of the search for alternatives, for
an ability to handle mystery, for contact with
the occult, for a connection with extra-rational
forces that may influence the course of events
in individual lives as well as in communities
and nations (Escobar, 2003).
People innately seem to need ‘certainty’ in life -- but there is simply none to be had. If
it is not tsunami’s, hurricane’s, pestilence, famine, or earthquake’s, it is man’s incessant
quarrelling with one another (cf., Jam. 4:1f) that keeps even the most wealthy and
seemingly secure among us from realizing true ‘certainty’ about much of anything.
People quite naturally seek ‘control,’ or ‘power’ over these uncertainties in life. Some
turn to the God of Christianity, surrendering their will to His. Most other religionists, in
various ways, attempt to retain personal control over the deity and the unseen world,
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University of Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa