Pentecostalism is a growing movement in world Christianity. However, the growth of Pentecostalism in South Africa has faced some challenges, including the abuse of religion by some prophets. This book first names these prophets and the churches they lead in South Africa, and then makes use of literary and media analysis to analyse the religious practices by the prophets in relation to cultism. Additionally, the book analyses the "celebrity cult" and how it helps promote the prophets in South Africa. The purpose of this book is threefold: First, to draw parallels between the abuse of religion and cultism. Second, to illustrate that it is cultic tendencies, including the celebrity cult, that has given rise to many prophets in South Africa. Last, to showcase that the challenge for many of these prophets is that the Pentecostal tradition is actually anti-cultism, and thus there is a need for them to rethink their cultic tendencies in order for them to be truly relevant in a SouthAfrican context.
"The book is a welcome addition to an increasing body of literature on African Pentecostal Studies. It provides a broad application of various tools that will benefit those interested in theological studies, religious studies, sociology of religion, psychology of religion, anthropology of religion and cultic studies as well as non-academics with an interest in African Pentecostalism." (Chammah Kaunda and John Mathews, Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, Issue 169, 2021)