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A History of Wealth, Power, and Religion in Asante

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Christianity, Wealth, and Spiritual Power in Ghana

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Abstract

The second chapter consists of a historical analysis of wealth, power, and religion in Asante, Ghana. It discusses the social processes around how status, wealth, and power were achieved and how this has changed over time, as well as how religious ideas, practices, and institutions have changed over time. The chapter seeks to look at the historical resonances of charismatic Christianity in terms of being a ‘big man’ and a religious expert. It moreover provides an account of the introduction of Christianity in Asante, as well as the growth of the charismatic movement. The chapter also relates the careers of charismatic pastors with former groups of aspiring people and lays the ground for subsequent analysis of the social principles forming pastoral careers.

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  1. University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Karen Lauterbach

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  1. Karen Lauterbach
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Lauterbach, K. (2017). A History of Wealth, Power, and Religion in Asante. In: Christianity, Wealth, and Spiritual Power in Ghana. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33494-3_2

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