RP-Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

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Browsing RP-Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies by Author "Gathogo, Julius"

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    Beliefs and Practices of the Kenya Roho Msalaba Church in Rachuonyo South and East Sub Counties, Homabay County, Kenya
    (CEDRED, 2025-05) Ariemba,Susan Kemunto; Mwaura, Philomena; Gathogo, Julius
    The study explored the beliefs, practices and community engagement of the Kenya Roho Msalaba Church (KRMC), an African Instituted Church (AIC) in Rachuonyo South and East sub-counties, Homabay County, Kenya, highlighting its role in blending Christian theology with African cultural practices. Emerging as a response to the cultural insensitivity of missionary Christianity, AICs like the KRMC emphasize pneumatology, healing and eschatological beliefs, fostering a unique religious identity that addresses spiritual and social. Guided by objectives that assessed the major beliefs and practices of the KRMC in Rachuonyo South and East sub-counties, Homabay County, examined the historical development of the KRMC within the context of the Roho movement in Kenya and explored the KRMC’s engagement with formal education affecting community development, the study drew on the theory by Turner (1967). A qualitative case study design, employing triangulation was used to collect data from n=228 respondents across three KRMC branches. Findings revealed that the KRMC’s Christocentric theology of adherents affirmed Jesus Christ’s centrality and its pneumatological focus emphasizing the Holy Spirit, drive practices like speaking in tongues, healing and vernacular worship, aligning with broader AIC trends. The church’s rejection of ancestral veneration and polygamy distinguishes it from some AICs, reflecting a selective cultural integration rooted in biblical principles. Historically, the KRMC, established in 2003, builds on the Roho movement’s legacy of spiritual autonomy, adapting to modern challenges while maintaining cultural resonance. Its engagement with formal education supports community development, though patriarchal gender dynamics limit women’s leadership roles. The study recommends on theological training to mitigate risks of misinterpretation and greater inclusion of women in leadership to enhance church growth, ensuring the KRMC’s continued relevance in addressing contemporary societal pressures like globalization and gender equality
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    Beyond Expectations in the Academic World: 17 Years of Publishing with Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae (2006–2023)
    (Church History Society of Southern Africa and Unisa Press, 2024) Gathogo, Julius
    This research article aims to bring out the author’s 17 years of research and publications with the Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae: Journal of Church History, abbreviated as SHE, from 2006 to 2023, and to establish its impact on his socio-scholarly formation. Methodologically, this drives the researcher to acknowledge the journal’s sharpening and preparatory role that has made it possible for him to be invited as an editor of an East African journal, an external examiner in various universities, and a conference speaker in diverse forums. The methodology also includes surveying the Church History Society of Southern Africa (CHSSA)’s annual conferences whose presentations since 2007—when the author attended for the first time—have enriched his engagements with SHE. Such presentations were later published in the journal. Key events that helped the author to come into contact with the first SHE copy have also been surveyed. The Mombasa Biographical Conference of April 2024, where the author was invited as the closing speaker, is viewed as one of the journal’s impactful events. The author was invited to address the gathering after his interest in biographical research was noted through his publications in SHE since 2006. Given this, the author seeks to usher in an East African perspective by drawing from the 17 years of his active participation in SHE publications and the CHSSA conferences. The latter provides the raw material for SHE’s publications.
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    The Great Commission and Presbyterianism Showcasing Tumutumu Parish, Mathira Sub-County, Kenya
    (Jumuga Journal of Education, Oral Studies, and Human Sciences, 2025-05) King’ori, Monicah; Gitome, Josephine; Gathogo, Julius
    The research article examines the implementation of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20) in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), and focuses on Tumutumu Parish in Mathira Sub-County, Nyeri County, Kenya. It explores the way in which baptism, spiritual growth, and Christian education contributes to the fulfilling of the Great Commission, from conversion to mature discipleship, as theoretically guided by David Bosch’s mission paradigm theory. Using a descriptive design, the study targeted 882 individuals, with 89 participants selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and Focus Group Discussions, and then analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Findings revealed that, despite the presence of mission oriented activities like baptism, spiritual growth initiatives, and Christian education in PCEA Tumutumu parish, these efforts have not led to a meaningful spiritual transformation among the congregants. This disconnect is mainly due to structural weaknesses, including inadequate discipleship, poor baptismal preparation, over-dependence on a single evangelist, and a lack of diverse, structured Christian education programs. It recommends improved baptismal preparations, implementation of structured discipleship, diversifying Christian education, empowering more leaders, and enhancing congregants’ engagement so as to bridge the gap between ecclesiastical activities and spiritual transformation.