A study of the Melanesian spirit world with special reference to the phenomenon of Sangguma /by Bernd Mortsiefer.
- 1989.
- vi, 110 leaves, bound ; 29 cm.
Typescript. A Ministry Perspective Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, Columbia Graduate School of Bible and Missions, Columbia, South Carolina, 1989. Bibliography: leaves 109-118. Introduction 1. The Melanesian Understanding of Reality 2. Sangguma-The Spirit of Murder 3. Contrasting Perspectives of Sangguma 4. Biblical Perspectives on the Spirit World 5. Approaching the Spirit World of Sangguma
Toward an understanding of the subject -- The reality of sangguma encounters -- The tragedy of ignoring belief systems -- Approach to the subject. The Melanesian worldview -- The Melanesian concept of spirit beings -- Classifications of spirit beings -- The high God -- The spirits of ancestors -- Autonomous spirits -- The spirit of murder. Etymology of the term "sangguma' -- The origin of Pidgin English -- The origin of the term "sangguma" -- Who or what is sangguma -- Sangguma and westerners -- Sangguma as a form of murder -- Sangguma as a spirit encounter -- Sangguama and Melanesians -- Essentials for the practice of sangguma -- Sangguma and its affinity -- Sangguma and the spirit-double -- Conclusion. The problem -- The humanistic understanding of sangguma -- Theistic response. The understanding of Spirit in the Old Testament -- Nephesh -- Ruach -- The Spirit in relationship to people -- Evil spirits -- The understanding of Spirit in the New Testament -- Evil spirits -- Conclusion. Kombio Christian encounters -- Power encounter methodology -- Issues in contemporary Melanesian theology -- Conclusion and Suggestion.
Columbia Graduate School of Bible and Missions.--Ministry Perspective Project.