November 7, 2008

Weekly Round-Up: Ugandan Evangelicalism, Kenyan Challenges, Ghanaian Jehovah's Witnesses, and Defending Exclusivism

Here's this week's round-up:

1) "Evangelists on the rise in Uganda" on France 24. You simply must watch this video on the growth of evangelicalism in Uganda. While the reporters obviously do not have a firm grasp on contemporary Protestantism, evangelicalism, and the charismatic movement in Africa, they still have produced an eye-opening inside look into Uganda's religious atmosphere.

2) "Churches up in arms over shady pastors" in the Saturday Nation newspaper (Kenya). Because of all the prosperity gospel preachers and other charlatans taking advantage of Christians in East Africa, more and more church leaders are calling for additional oversight and regulation by the government.

3) Francis Asamoah-Tufuor, "Jehovah's Witnesses Do Vote In Ghana" in the Ghanaian Times newspaper (Ghana). This news story is fascinating. JWs usually do not vote or get involved in politics, but the JWs in Ghana plan on being a part of their country's political process.

4) Adam Sparks, "Salvation History, Chronology, and Crisis: A Problem with Inclusivist Theology of Religions, Part 1 of 2" in Themelios Journal (in PDF format). When thinking about missions and those belonging to other religions, one of the most debated questions today is on the salvation of non-Christians. Could people be saved by Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross without ever hearing the gospel or believing in Him? Followers of Christ must firmly answer "No," since God has revealed that faith in Christ is our only hope of salvation. Sparks helps us to better understand the exclusivity of our Savior's gospel.