Abstract:
South Africa has witnessed a recent upsurge of prophets attributable to poverty,
unfavourable economic conditions, weak health systems, and supernatural causes
that provide fertile ground for ‘prophetism’, healing and deliverance. The research is
based on the cognizance of the desperation for divine healing and miracles that have
driven communities to engage in harmful religious practices, even the elite fall prey to
this trend. Prophets fiercely compete to gain and keep clients. Prophets are aware of
the favourable pragmatic disposition based on non-theoretical religion. This study is
motivated by the need to explore, interpret, and analyse the phenomenon to gain a
deeper understanding of the problem. News about South African prophets was
prevalent on social media globally, commenting on the unusual liturgical ritual practice
by prophets: the ingestion of antiseptic liquid and petrol or the spraying of insecticide
fumigant, as well as the oral consumption of grass to heal, is attributable to the
perception of 'bad practice'. The research has utilised practical theological models,
qualitative empirical media research, and instrumentation of theories from theology
and social sciences to unpack this phenomenon toward normative standards
applicable to scriptural traditions, theological concepts and other disciplines to aid in
the reshaping of practice regarding the new trend.
