Lived Islam in Africa and Its Missiological Implications for Pentecostals

This work by Dieudonne Komla Nuekpe on Islam in Ghana from a Pentecostal perspective is very welcome for a number of reasons. What makes this work stand out, however, is the spirit of mutual respect and less confrontational approach the writer recommends. This makes the work a very valuable contribution to Christian understanding of Islam and engagement with Muslims in Ghanaand beyond.

John Azumah, PhD
Executive Director, The Sanneh Institute
Visiting Professor, Yale Divinity School, Connecticut, USA

Dr. Komla’s book not only helps the readers with extensive knowledge about folk Muslims but also furnishes practical guidelines for holistically sharing the gospel among them in a loving, wise, peaceful, and effective way. This book is a must-read for those sincerely seeking an efficacious method for evangelism and discipleship among Ghanaian Muslims and other Muslims worldwide.

Caleb Kim, PhD
Director of PhD in Interreligious Studies,
Program Coordinator of the Center for the Study of Religions,
Africa International University, Kenya

With the awareness of the power-oriented religious context of Ghanaian Christianity, Dr. Nuekpe, with emic perspective, critically raises the significance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit for evangelizing the people of other religions who share the similar spiritual heritage. This is a timely study giving great insight into effectively evangelizing the people not only in Ghana, but also around the world.

Chang Seop Kang, PhD
Adjunct Professor of Missiology,
Torch Trinity Graduate University, South Korea
Senior Pastor, Incheon Chinese Christian Church

I have been pointedly informed after reading through the pages of this masterpiece of work, and I trust it will bridge the gap between the Christian community and the Muslim community. Reaching out to the Muslim world with the gospel of Christ has been made easier and simpler by Dr. Dieudonne Komla Nuekpe.

Paul Frimpong-Manso, PhD
Former General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Ghana
President, Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council
Chairman, Ghana Evangelism Committee

Dr. Nuekpe’s approach to this subject of Christian-Muslim relations in Ghana is interesting and truly Pentecostal. This paper proposes how this shared heritage can provide bridges for Pentecostals to engage Muslims with the gospel. The book is a must-read for all Christians who seek to understand Islam in Ghana.

Nathan Iddrisu Samwini, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, KNUST, Ghana
Previously Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Tamale Diocese

Dr. Dieudonne Komla Nuekpe’s Lived Islam in Africa and Its Missiological Implications for Pentecostals provides deep inspirations for missionaries around the world. This book is an invaluable work that not only explains the strategies and methods of evangelization in Ghana and beyond but also provides deep insight into the essence of the gospel, the right missionary strategies, and the direction to follow.

Rev. Younghoon Lee, Ph.D
Senior Pastor,
Yoido Full Gospel Church, Seoul, South Korea
President, the Christian Council of Korea

In this excellent and well-written book, Lived Islam in Africa and Its Missiological Implications for Pentecostals, Dieudonne Komla Nuekpe has discovered the nexus of shared heritage that provide bridges for Pentecostals in Ghana to share their faith with folk Muslims in a peaceful atmosphere.

Christian Tsekpoe , PhD
Head of Ministerial Formation and Training, Pentecost University, Ghana
Chairman, Home & Urban Missions Committee of the Church of Pentecost, Ghana

1. Foreword
2. Abstract
3. Abbreviations
4. Acknowledgments
5. Introduction
1. Statement of the Research Problem
2. Background of the Study
3. Statement of Purpose
4. Problem
5. Assumptions
6. Methodology
7. Limitations
8. Thesis Statement
9. Research Questions
10. Importance of the Research
11. Definition of Terms
12. Structure of the Study
6. Chapter 1 The Historical Development of Christianity in Ghana and the Impact of Pentecostalism
1. Indigenous Religion in Ghana
2. The Arrival of Christianity
3. Origins of Global Pentecostalism
4. Pentecostalism in Ghana
5. The Impact of Pentecostalism on Ghanaian Christianity
6. Summary
7. Chapter 2 The Development of Islam and the Nature of the Christian–Muslim Relationship in Ghana
1. Islam in West Africa
2. History of Islam in Ghana
3. The Characteristics and Spread of Islam in Ghana
4. The Emergence and Expansion of Islam Since the Mid-Twentieth Century
5. Understanding the Christian-Muslim Relationship in Ghana
6. Summary
8. Chapter 3 The Influence of Animism on the Beliefs and Practices of Ghanaian Folk Muslims
1. Core Beliefs
2. Arkan: The Five Pillars
3. The Everyday Life of Folk Muslims in Ghana
4. Summary
9. Chapter 4 Existing Methods of Sharing the Gospel with Folk Muslims
1. The Direct Approach
2. The Indirect or Fulfillment Approach
3. The Dialogical Model
4. Interreligious Dialogue
5. Muslims’ Understanding of Jesus
6. Pentecostals’ Theological Medium to Approach Folk Muslims
7. Pentecostals and the Existential Needs of Folk Islam
8. Summary
10. Chapter 5 Pentecostals’ Engagement with Folk Muslims in Ghana
1. Power Encounters and the Experiential Needs of Folk Muslims
2. Understanding Power Encounters
3. Power Encounters in the Former Scriptures
4. Power Encounters in Jesus’s Ministry
5. Releasing Power Encounters through Prayer
6. Pentecostalism as Folk Christianity
7. Pentecostal Practices of Healing and Deliverance
8. Power Encounters as Continuous Phenomena
9. Power Encounters in Missions to Folk Muslims Today
10. Muslims in the Postpandemic Era
11. Summary
11. Conclusion
1. Research Contributions
2. Recommendations for Further Study
12. Bibliography