Johanneke Kroesbergen-Kamps, a postdoctoral research fellow in the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Theology and Religion, authored a new book, entitled Speaking of Satan in Zambia. The book was published by AOSIS.

This book contributes to understanding narratives about Satanism within the Christian context of Zambia. Many Christians in Southern Africa fear the threat of Satanism. This is the most comprehensive study of the African concept of Satanism yet from an anthropological perspective. It traces the history of Satanism in African worldviews combined with Christian concepts of the devil and spiritual warfare. An important contribution of the book is that it looks closely at the producers of narratives about Satanism and what they gain from these stories.

For ex-Satanists who give their testimonies in churches, Satanism becomes an explanation for feelings of isolation and misfortune that happened to them. For pastors who give ex-Satanists a platform, the testimonies form proof of their theology and their power as men or women of God who can fight the devil. Everyone who wants to know more about the idea of Satanism in Africa and African Christianity should read this book.

Kroesbergen-Kamps is a specialist in Western new religious movements and Christianity in Africa. She has written extensively on narratives about Satanism in contemporary Zambia.

Read more about this book.

Watch the YouTube video interview with the author.

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