What Christians Can Learn from Shamanic Pneumatology

Abstract

This chapter attempts to find out what Christians can learn from shamanic pneumatology. Taking seriously the biblical injunction that the Holy Spirit blows wherever the Spirit wills, the chapter investigates a shamanic pneumatology in view of discerning correlations with the Christian faith. On the basis of firsthand research among the Karen tribal communities of Northern Thailand, the author posits that the people’s spirituality is one of sacred sustainability. This is premised upon the sustaining presence of the Spirit’s manifestation throughout the whole of creation, including their ancestors and nature, and creation’s participation in the power of Ruach Elohim. This leads to an appreciation that panentheism is the flip side of Theo-en-passim.