ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the relationships between religion, society and politics in Zimbabwe, with a view to understand how religion is contributing to democratisation and reconciliation. The concept of reconciliation is still new in academia and has for the most part been viewed as a religious concept not to be associated with hard politics. Maxwell gives a perspective on Pentecostal religion and politics in Zimbabwe through a study of one of the largest and most popular Pentecostal churches, the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God, Africa. Many scholars of Africa have been quick to dismiss secularisation and civil society as Western concepts, falsely imported into African contexts. Rangers edited book on evangelical Christianity and democracy in Africa demonstrates the increased activity of evangelical, Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity in politics. Johane Masowes first order of business was preaching to the African workers on European-owned farms.
