‘The Christic Models’

Abstract

The task of this article is to interrogate and reconstruct Fabien Eboussi Boulaga’s theory of the Christic model as a pragmatic response to negative messianisms among African Pentecostals. Taking the hint from the two-natures messianic metaphoricity, the article argues that the messianic structure of Christ as an eternal myth is infinitely culturally demythologized into different historical and cultural contexts. It concludes by demonstrating that the two-natures messianicity captures a dialectic connection between divine infinity and human finitude. A pragmatic reconceptualization of the two-natures messianicity serves as a structuring principle or functional messianic model in the search for a balance of power and accountability in the struggle against menacing dominant hegemonies. It is critical because African Pentecostalism functions with the power-over as a structuring principle which makes congregants vulnerable to abuse of spiritual power and objectification, sexualization, and exploitation of a mystified mass.