–– Paul Schlehlein
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Despite the influence of Christianity and Islam on the continent, Africans still attach tremendous honour to their ancestors. Ancestor worship is deeply engrained into the African belief system, its influence reaching the heights of political power.
Ancestor Worship in Africa
For example, in the early days of Cyril Ramaphosa’s first term as president of South Africa, he focused on the country’s need for ancestral intervention. He called upon the leaders of his ANC political party to visit the graves of former presidents. They did this, he said, “to ask for a way forward.”
For millennia, Africans have done this when faced with misfortune. “We go back to our ancestors to talk to them,” Ramaphosa said. So why did the ANC leaders visit the grave of former president Nelson Mandela? “To draw wisdom,” Ramaphosa said.
In fact, Anthony Ephirim-Donkor, Ghanaian author of African Religion Defined, says African religion is ancestor worship. So pervasive and detailed are the rituals in African ancestor worship, Ephirim-Donkor argues that it should be included among the major religions of the world.
Popular African books include Ancestors and the Sacred Mountain by Mazisi Kunene, The Gods Are Not to Blame by Ola Rotimi and The Wrath of the Ancestors by AC Jordan. In recent years there have even been calls in South Africa to make “National Ancestors Day” a public holiday.
African author Velaphi Mkhize praises the importance of evoking ancestors for help. He writes: “To believe in ancestors is a major tenant of being African. It has always been like that. And let it be so forever. From Cape to Cairo. From Morocco to Madagascar. Long live African ancestors!”
What does the Bible say about ancestor worship and prayers to dead relatives? Is this a neutral category in which we may participate should our culture call for it, or is it morally wrong regardless of one’s heritage?
It is important to remember that there is nothing immoral in taking a sense of pride in one’s ancestry and heritage. It is wise to remember from whence we come. Israel often built monuments so that their children would not forget the activities of their forefathers (Ex. 12:14; 1Sm. 7:12). Since Africa relies on oral tradition, Africans commonly recite the names of their ancestors so that they may remember their past and acknowledge the traditions of years gone by. All of this may be good.
However, there are many activities relating to ancestors that Scripture forbids, such as praying to the dead, seeking their blessing at fertility festivals, bringing them offerings, burning incense or demanding their intervention amidst thunderstorms, poverty, sickness and other trials.
Five Reasons Scripture Opposes Ancestor Worship
Remembering ancestors and requesting from ancestors are very different. Scripture allows the first but not the second. Here are five reasons why.
First, prayers must only go to the God of the Bible, who is omnipresent (Ps. 139:7-12), omnipotent (Rv. 19:6) and omniscient (Ps. 147:4-5). Allah, Buddha, and the Virgin Mary are powerless to help us, as are our ancestors. God’s people never prayed to their dead loved ones. David said: “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul” (Ps. 25:1).
Second, ancestor worship is idolatry. The first commandment says, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3). The second commandment says, “You shall not bow down to [idols] or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.” (v. 5). You can’t mix Christianity with African Traditional Religion. It’s one or the other (Lk. 9:62).
Third, Leviticus 19:31 opposes prayers to the dead. Those who do this are often called mediums, witches or necromancers, yet even King Saul participated in this vice (1Sm. 25). In today’s Africa, sangomas are not the only ones praying to the dead, but often churchgoers needing an extra boost from their ancestors. This is sinful. Deuteronomy 18:12 calls anyone who “inquires of the dead” an “abomination”.
Fourth, the dead have no power to hear or answer prayer. Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” If the person who dies is a Christian, he will immediately go into the presence of Jesus (2 Cor. 5:8). If he is an unbeliever, he will go to hell and eventually the lake of fire (Rv. 20:14-15).
Finally, God does not respond to the prayers of the wicked. John 9:31 says, “God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.” Some people go to their ancestors for wisdom because they have no relationship with the God that answers.
The Solution
The solution is Jesus Christ. He alone can take our prayers to a holy God. Ancestors are not mediators between us and God. The Apostle Paul said: “There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1Tm. 2:5). Only when our sins are washed and the Spirit comes will our prayers be answered by the Father. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer (1Pt. 3:12).
The good news is that if your ancestors were believers in Christ, you will see them again in Heaven and fellowship with them for eternity. If your current relatives are not Christians, share with them the gospel so that they can embrace the same hope you enjoy.