Returning to the Gospel: The Message of Jude for the African Church

Christianity has rapidly increased across Africa, with much of this expansion taking place in Pentecostal expressions of the faith. With the growth of autonomous Pentecostal churches in Ghana, there is also the concern of leaders valuing material success over discipleship and spiritual formation. What can the epistle of Jude, which admonishes against the church’s departure from biblical Christianity because of false teachings, offer to the concerns of Ghanaian Christianity? Weaving together biblical exegesis, social science, and field research, Dr. Emmanuel Kwasi Amoafo explores the theology and practices of the five leading autonomous Ghanian Pentecostal-Charismatic churches. Through an exegetical study of Jude, Dr. Amoafo identifies seven principles of biblical Christianity that can act as guidelines for a contextualized biblical Christianity in order that churches may be spiritually strengthened and more truly reflect the gospel. Jude’s call to contend for the faith by upholding, preserving, and persevering in the seven principles remains incredibly relevant for the church today. This innovative work is an essential read for theologians and scholars interested in the Spirit-filled growth and development of African Christianity and its leaders.