"But I was Momentarily Healed!" A Critical Examination of Charismatic Prophetic Healing in a Zambian Context

Abstract

: This article presents a critical examination of charismatic prophetic healing in a Zambian context today. The study built on documented scholarly work and the citizenry’s views based on their beliefs and experiences, to critically examine the charismatic prophetic healing currently taking place in Zambia. The study is a response to the need to provide an analysis of what is becoming a common problem of medically declared ill people abandoning medication in preference for prophetic healing miracles and suggest empirically-based solutions. Theoretically premised on the growth of Pentecostalism in Africa and its healing ministry, the article draws upon the data obtained through a hermeneutic qualitative research strategy from 25 respondents. One-on-one interviews were conducted with female and male respondents of varying ages drawn from Neo-Pentecostal churches and Non-Pentecostal churches, and the data were analysed thematically. Findings were that few people believed in, and supported the Charismatic miracle healing practices, while others who were in the majority condemned and did not subscribe to the practice; and that both categories unanimously acknowledged the presence of false prophets in society, who were believed to perform false healing miracles. An appropriate conclusion and recommendations were given