Challenging the Animistic Worldview

As we consider presenting the gospel to an animistic society it is important to consider first the Biblical mandate for studying animism. From here we find our motivation and purpose for challenging the animistic worldview. Secondly, we need to consider the importance of avoiding syncretism and how it relates to challenging the animistic worldview. Lastly we will look at the framework that is provided for effective evangelism once that animistic worldview has been firmly tackled.

Paul the apostle declared his ministry as one of “solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21, NASB) 

Notice that Paul made no distinction between those that knew God and those that needed to know God.  All are equally separated from God without Christ and such is the case with animist.

Paul further described his ministry as; “…destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, …” (2 Cor 10:5, NASB)

If then we are to be successful in destroying speculations, we must first know then what those speculations are.

Seeing our Biblical mandate for challenging the animistic worldview it is also important to understand the need to avoid syncretism.  Webster defines syncretism as “The attempt or tendency to combine or reconcile differing philosophical or religious beliefs.” Though not usually intentional by most evangelical missionaries, this does mean however that if we fail to first understand animistic beliefs, we may end up with little more than an animistic worldview of Christ. Christ Himself said (though under a different context); “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” (Matt 12:25, KJV)

When problems arise, the animist will be forced to choose between their animistic beliefs and faith in Christ. Unfortunately, having never been taught the problems with their animistic beliefs we will often see that their faith in Christ ‘shall not stand’. Christ at best is an added power.  This is exactly what we are striving to avoid by working to prevent syncretism.  Challenging their worldview first will help in this arena.

As we take time to study the culture in order to challenge the animistic worldview and to avoid syncretism we then find that we now have a framework by which we can begin presenting the gospel.  An example of this is having a better concept of what sin looks like in the mind of the animist. Does sin even exist within their society?  Assuming it does do they understand sin against God or only against the spirits and their fellow man? Can they sin against women or only against men?  As these concepts of sin (among other important biblical and cultural concepts) are studied and understood, the missionary then has a starting point for presenting Christ. 

The necessity of challenging the animistic worldview before presenting the gospel at this point has been validated by looking at the Biblical mandate, the avoidance of syncretism and it’s value as helping to establish a framework for effective future evangelism.  Our goal in presenting Christ is not to enhance what is already known, nor is it to present another option. Our goal is to present Christ as the only option. Only with God’s help can we accomplish this.