| dc.description.abstract | The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mozambique is still facing the
challenges caused by dual allegiance. Dual allegiance is the mixing of Biblical
principles with traditional beliefs, hence causing syncretism. Its practices are
embedded in the people's worldview, consequently affecting the mission of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church in this territory negatively.
This study aimed to discover the facts leading to dual allegiance among the
Mozambique Adventist University Church members. Also, suggest a biblical response
to respond to this Missiological problem. Consequently, the study considered
understanding the causes, the manifestations, the impact, and the possible solutions
for solving these challenges. Furthermore, the researcher analyzed selected biblical
passages from both Old and New Testaments and Ellen White's writings to establishthe theological foundation of the issue and understand how God dealt with
those who got entangled in these practices during biblical times.
The study used a mixed-method and descriptive approaches. Consequently, the
researcher used two instruments to collect data among the Mozambique Adventist
University church members. The instruments used were survey and questionnaires.
Furthermore, the researcher used a convenient sample to distribute to survey the
church on October 17, 2020. A total of 134 respondents participated in the study,
including both genders (52 female and 82 men), with age group varying from 20 years
old to above 61. The instrument used to analyze the quantitative data is SPSS.
Additionally, the researcher interviewed three former church pastors of the
investigated church. These interviews intended to assess the pastor's experiences
concerning the cultural aspects that influenced the gospel's preaching among the
Mozambique Adventist University Community. The results were presented into six
categories: The cultural practices of the community and their manifestation, the
influence of cultural practices in the allegiance to God, the process of
contextualization of the message, the reasons that lead the members into dual
allegiance, how the church dealt with the phenomenon of dual allegiance and the
possible solutions for dual allegiance.
The outcomes obtained from the data collection revealed that dual allegiance
in its various manifestations is still a missiological challenge among the Mozambique
Adventist University members. In other words, witchcraft accusations, sorcery and
ancestors’ worship are still practices observed by the members. Furthermore, social
life challenge and a lack of solid theological firmness in the word of God are the
causes of these practices. In short, the study verified that members have challenges inthe understanding of the doctrines of "the State of the Dead" and "Growth in
Christ" and "the Great Controversy."
Finally, the study revealed the necessity of emphasizing more in biblical
training of the members, pastoral visitation, and engaging them in biblical practices to
solve this problem. The researcher also suggests some recommendations to the local
church leaders and the Central Conference, and the Mozambique Union Mission,
which, if implemented, will contribute to solving this missiological challenge. | en_US |
