A Critical Analysis of the Doctrine of Salvation in Free Evangelical Assemblies in Swaziland: A Contextualized Theology

Abstract

This study is a critical analysis of the doctrine of salvation, which is one of the central themes of the scriptures and core message of the Free Evangelical Assemblies. The research investigated the concept and experience of salvation in the Free Evangelical Assemblies.It discusses how Swazi Free Evangelical members experience and interpret the concept of Salvation in response to their existential problems. It is noted that while church members or the Swazi people in general embraced salvation, there has always been the persistent problem where they would turn to traditional religious rituals in times of crises. The research reveals how converts faithfully practiced the Christians‟ teachings, but still would not renounce cultural dictates, and how, by-so-doing, they found themselves living in two worlds. The study suggests that a relevant message of salvation could be the best solution to this dilemma.Chapter One introduces the research problem and the conceptual method,which focuses on the biblical concept of salvation and its relevance to the members of the Free Evangelical Assemblies. Chapter Two discusses the conception of salvation,which is the core belief of the church. The research discovered that the church is faced with a major problem that threatens its core faith as church members seem wont to revert to traditional beliefs each time they face life challenges, and never entirely, at least in practice, seem to believe in the missionaries‟ teachings. They seem to be of the view that the God of the missionaries does not understand the problems of the Swazi people. It would appear that Swazis would appreciate a theology that addresses their worldview. Chapter Three examines the Biblical and Theological concept of salvation.The study shows that biblical salvation is a comprehensive and holistic concept that defines God‟s redemptive involvement in human affairs. The research demonstrates that the redemptive acts of God have been redefined to every generation in every nation in response to questions asked by contemporary people. vi Chapter Four is a response to the universal quest of a contextualized theology,which en-fleshes the word of God in every culture; and positions the church as an extension of the body of Christ,and mediates the message of salvation in the context of their culture. The last chapter gives a reflective summary of the thesis, recommendations and conclusion.

This study is a critical analysis of the doctrine of salvation, which is one of the central themes of the scriptures and core message of the Free Evangelical Assemblies. The research investigated the concept and experience of salvation in the Free Evangelical Assemblies.It discusses how Swazi Free Evangelical members experience and interpret the concept of Salvation in response to their existential problems. It is noted that while church members or the Swazi people in general embraced salvation, there has always been the persistent problem where they would turn to traditional religious rituals in times of crises. The research reveals how converts faithfully practiced the Christians‟ teachings, but still would not renounce cultural dictates, and how, by-so-doing, they found themselves living in two worlds. The study suggests that a relevant message of salvation could be the best solution to this dilemma.Chapter One introduces the research problem and the conceptual method,which focuses on the biblical concept of salvation and its relevance to the members of the Free Evangelical Assemblies. Chapter Two discusses the conception of salvation,which is the core belief of the church. The research discovered that the church is faced with a major problem that threatens its core faith as church members seem wont to revert to traditional beliefs each time they face life challenges, and never entirely, at least in practice, seem to believe in the missionaries‟ teachings. They seem to be of the view that the God of the missionaries does not understand the problems of the Swazi people. It would appear that Swazis would appreciate a theology that addresses their worldview. Chapter Three examines the Biblical and Theological concept of salvation.The study shows that biblical salvation is a comprehensive and holistic concept that defines God‟s redemptive involvement in human affairs. The research demonstrates that the redemptive acts of God have been redefined to every generation in every nation in response to questions asked by contemporary people. vi Chapter Four is a response to the universal quest of a contextualized theology,which en-fleshes the word of God in every culture; and positions the church as an extension of the body of Christ,and mediates the message of salvation in the context of their culture. The last chapter gives a reflective summary of the thesis, recommendations and conclusion.