Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology

Prof MS Kgatle

College of Human Sciences
School of Humanities
Department: Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
Acting Chair
Tel: 012 429 4315
E-mail: kgatls@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • PhD Theology (UP, 2016)
  • PGCE (UNISA, 2014)
  • MA Theology (UP, 2012)
  • BA (Hons) Theology (UJ, 2011)
  • BA Theology (UJ, 2010)

NRF Rating

Y2

Currently teaching

  • CMM2602 - Youth Ministry in Communities

Fields of academic interests

  • Leadership
  • Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches
  • African Independent Pentecostal Churches
  • New Prophetic Churches
  • Politics and Religion
  • Media and Religion
  • Health and Religion
  • Migration and Religion 
  • Gender and Religion   

Field of Specialisation

  • African Pentecostalism

Books

  • Kgatle, M.S., 2019. The fourth Pentecostal wave in South Africa: a critical engagement. Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies series. London: Routledge. ISBN: 978036736115  
  • Kgatle, M.S & Anderson, A.H., 2020, The use and abuse of the Spirit in Pentecostalism: A South African Perspective. Routtledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies series. London: Routledge. ISBN. 9781003038795
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2021. Pentecostalism and Cultism in South Africa. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN: 978-3-030-69723-5
  • Kgatle, M.S, M Nel, & C Banda., 2021. Christological Paradigm Shifts in Prophetic Pentecostalism in South Africa. Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies series. London: Routledge. ISBN: 9781032065540
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2022. Pentecostal theology: the peculiarity of prophetic Pentecostalism. Peter Lang ISBN https://doi.org/10.3726/b19602 
  • Kgatle M.S & Banda, M.S., 2022. Pastoral Interventions During the Pandemic: Pentecostal Perspectives on Christian Ministry in South Africa. Palgrave  978-3031080333

Book chapters

  • Kgatle, M.S & Mofokeng, T.R., 2018, “Christ on the streets: A call for active citizenry in the context of migration, homelessness and marginalisation in the City of Tshwane” in TD Mashau (ed). Standing where God stands: Doing encountering Missiology with homeless people on the pavements of the City of Tshwane. Pretoria: Unisa press, pp 70–85. ISBN: 9781776150489.
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2019, “The cup and baptism: metaphors of servant leadership in Mark 10:38–39” in S Jung, V Kessler, L Kretzschmar & E Meier (eds), Metaphors for Leading –Leading by Metaphors, Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht unipress, pp 55–64. ISBN: 9783847109150.
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2020, “Bridging the Gap between Spiritual Experience and Theological Education in African Pentecostal Christianity: The Ethiopian  Eunuch in Acts 8, 26-40 as a Model” in N. Asproulis and S. Devenish (eds) Christian Responses to Spiritual Incursions into the 21st Century Church and Society, Cambridge scholars publishing, pp 86-103. ISBN: 9781527559417
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2021, “Creating Alternatives to the Commercialisation of Magadi Among Bapedi People in South Africa” in L Togarasei and E Chitando (eds) Lobola (Bridewealth) in Contemporary Southern Africa, Palgrave Macmillan, pp 303-314. ISBN: 978-3-030-59523-4. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59523-4_19

Book Reviews (by invitation)

  • Kgatle, Mookgo Solomon. Review of The language of faith in Southern Africa: Spirit world, power, community, holism, by Hermen Kroesbergen. Journal for the Study of Religion, vol. 34 no.1, 2021, p. 1-3. https://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2413-3027/2021/v34n1ar1 
  • Kgatle, Mookgo Solomon. Review of Spirit-Filled World: Religious Dis/Continuity in African Pentecostalism, by Allan Heaton Anderson. Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft, vol. 16 no. 1, 2021, p. 122-124. Project MUSE muse.jhu.edu/article/801215.
  • Kgatle, Mookgo Solomon. Review of African Initiated Christianity and the Decolonisation of Development: Sustainable Development in Pentecostal and Independent Churches, by Öhlmann, Wilhelm Gräb, Marie-Luise Frost. International Journal of Practical Theology, vol, 26 no.1, 2022, P. 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijpt-2022-0023 
  • Kgatle, Mookgo Solomon. Review of Performing power in Nigeria: identity, politics, and Pentecostalism, by Abimbola Adelakun. 
    Journal of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity, DOI: 10.1080/27691616.2022.2154977

Journal articles

  • Kgatle, M.S., 2016. The influence of Azusa Street Revival in the early developments of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa. Missionalia, 44(3), pp.321-335. http://dx.doi.org/10.7832/44-2-156
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2016. Sociological and theological factors that caused schisms in the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, 42(1), pp.1-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2412-4265/2016/1216
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2017. A practical theological approach to the challenge of poverty in post-1994 South Africa: Apostolic Faith Mission as a case study. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 73(3), p.7. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v73i3.4549
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2017. Servant Leadership: Son of Man as Minister and Life Giver in Mark 10.45. Journal of Pentecostal Theology, 26(2), pp.286-298.https://doi.org/10.1163/17455251-02602008
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2017. Discipleship misconceptions: A social scientific reading of James and John’s request for seats of honour (Mark 10: 35-42). STJ| Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 3(1), pp.185-204. http://dx.doi.org/10.17570/stj.2017.v3n1.a09
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2017. The causes and nature of the June 2016 protests in the city of Tshwane: A practical theological reflection. HTS Theological Studies, 73(3), pp.1-8. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v73i3.3845
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2017. A socio-historical analysis of the sections in the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa from 1908 to the present. Verbum et Ecclesia, 38(1), pp.1-10. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v38i1.1668
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2017.African Pentecostalism: the Christianity of Elias Letwaba from early Years until his death in 1959. Scriptura, 116(1), pp.1-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.7833/116-1-1197
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2018. The role of the church in the #FeesMustFall movement in South Africa: Practical Theological reflection. HTS Theological Studies, 74(1), pp.1-8. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v74i1.4814
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2018. Servant leadership: An urgent style for the current political leadership in South Africa. Verbum et Ecclesia, 39(1), p.9. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v39i1.1815
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2018. Servant Leadership: The Style of Frank Chikane from Early Life to the Presidency of Thabo Mbeki. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, 44(2), p.17. https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/2033
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2018. Social media and religion: Missiological perspective on the link between Facebook and the emergence of prophetic churches in southern Africa. Verbum et Ecclesia, 39(1), p.6. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v39i1.1848
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2018. Globalisation of missions: An exegesis on the Great Commission (Mt 28: 18–20). In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi, 52(1), p.7. https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v52i1.2346
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2018. The impact of the Vuwani protests on teaching and learning: Practical Theological reflection, STJ| Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 4(1), pp. 247-266. http://dx.doi.org/10.17570/stj.2018.v4n1.a12
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2018. Integrating African Pentecostalism into the theological education of South African Universities: An urgent task. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 74(3), p.8. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v74i3.5130
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2018. Prophetic voice of the South African Council of Churches: a weak voice in post-1994 South Africa. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 74(1), p.8. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v74i1.5153
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2018. The practice and impact of divine healing in Saint John Apostolic Faith Mission: missiological perspective. Scriptura, 117(1), pp. 1-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.7833/117-1-1386
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2018. Crossing boundaries: Social-scientific reading of the faith of a Canaanite woman (Mt 15:21–28), STJ| Stellenbosch Theological Journal, 4(2), pp. 595-613. http://dx.doi.org/10.17570/stj.2018.v4n2.a27
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2019. A Remarkable Woman in African Independent Churches: Examining Christina Nku’s Leadership in St John’s Apostolic Faith Mission. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, 45(1), p.14. https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/3323
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2019. Diakonos and Doulos as concepts of True Discipleship in Mark 10:43-44: Social Scientific Reading, Journal of Pentecostal Theology, 28(1), pp. 71-83. https://doi.org/10.1163/17455251-02801006
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2019, ‘Singing as a therapeutic agent in Pentecostal worship’, Verbum et Ecclesia 40(1), a1910. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v40i1.1910. 

  • Mashau T.D & Kgatle, M.S., 2019, ‘Prosperity gospel and the culture of greed in post-colonial Africa: Constructing an alternative African Christian Theology of Ubuntu’, Verbum et Ecclesia 40(1), a1901. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v40i1.1901

  • Kgatle, M.S., 2019, Missiology as social justice A contextual reading of the mission of Christ in Luke 4:16-19, missionalia, 47(1), 58-71 https://doi.org/10.7832/47-1-297
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2019, ‘Reimagining the practice of Pentecostal prophecy in Southern Africa: A critical engagement’, HTS Teologiese
    Studies/Theological Studies 75(4), a5183. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v75i4.5183
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2019, ‘Demythologising factors associated with HIV and AIDS among Pentecostals: An effective way of dealing with the epidemic in South Africa’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 75(1), a5285. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v75i1.5285
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2019, ‘Gender dimensions in Pentecostal leadership: The Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa as a case study’, Verbum et Ecclesia 40(1), a1980. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v40i1.1980
  • Kgatle, M.S. & Mofokeng, T.R., 2019, ‘Towards a decolonial hermeneutic of experience in African Pentecostal Christianity: A South African perspective’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 75(4), a5473. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v75i4.5473
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2020. The Relationship between the Economic Strand of Contemporary Pentecostalism and Neo-Liberalism in Post-1994 South Africa. Religions, 11(4), p.156. https://doi.org/:10.3390/rel11040156
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2020. Spirit baptism and the doctrine of initial evidence in African Pentecostal Christianity: A critical analysis. HTS Theological Studies, 76(1), pp.1-7. https://doi.org/.10.4102/hts.v76i1.5796
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2020, ‘New paradigms of pneumatological ecclesiology brought about by new prophetic churches within South African Pentecostalism’, Verbum et Ecclesia 41(1), a2053. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v41i1.2053
  • Kgatle M.S., 2020, 'Decolonial Discourse on the Origins of the 20th Century American Pentecostal Movement', Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 46 (1), 1-17 https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/4772
  • Kgatle M.S., 2020, 'Propagating the fear of witchcraft: Pentecostal prophecies in the new prophetic churches in South Africa, Journal of the European Pentecostal Theological Association, 40(2), 1-13 https://doi.org/10.1080/18124461.2020.1795420
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2020, ‘Dealing with the cultural and financial challenges during death of a loved one and repatriation of the remains: A mission to the wounded, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 76(4), a5970. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v76i4.5970
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2020, ‘Towards a balancing act between the emergence of prophetic churches and organisational culture in South African Pentecostalism’, Verbum et Ecclesia 41(1), a2118. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v41i1.2118
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2020, ‘Religious live-streaming in response to coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown in South Africa’, Verbum et Ecclesia 41(1), a2120. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v41i1.2120

  • Kgatle, M.S., 2020. Integrated Pentecostal Ministry of Richard Ngidi in the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa, 1921–1985. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, 46(3), pp.14-pages. https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/6239

  • Mashau, T.D. & Kgatle M.S., 2021, ‘Thuma Mina: A critical discourse on the prospect of a Ramaphosa presidency through the lenses of Isaiah 6:8’, Verbum et Ecclesia 42(1), a2129.https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v42i1.2129    

  • Kgatle, M.S. 2021. "The Impact of Pentecostal Advertising on the Environment and the Consumer in South Africa." The International Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Society 11 (2): 71-79. https://doi.org//10.18848/2154-8633/CGP/v11i02/71-79 
  • Kgatle M.S., 2021. A Quarter Century of Structural Unity in the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa: A Socio Historical Analysis, Studia Historia Ecclessia, 47(1), 1-13 https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/8088 
  • Kgatle M.S., 2021. The balance between theory and praxis in South African Pentecostalism: Patmos bible school as a model, acta theologica, 31(supp), 84-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.18820/23099089/actat.Sup31.6 
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2021. Triumphalist theology in the context of prophetic Pentecostalism in South Africa, Journal of the European Pentecostal Theological Association, 41 (2), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/18124461.2021.1954273  
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2021. Spirituality of Liberation in African Pentecostal Worship and Its Implications for Black Theology, Black Theology, 19(2), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/14769948.2021.1955178
  • Kgatle, M.S. & Segalo, P., 2021, ‘Grieving during a pandemic: A psychotheological response’, Verbum et Ecclesia 42(1), a2260. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v42i1.2260  
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2021, 'Healing Practices in the Epistle of James Applied to New Prophetic Churches in South Africa', Neotestamentica 55(1), 111–123. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-neotest_v55_n1_a6 
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2021. Developing a Theology of Discernment in Response to the Abuse of Religion by Some
    Pentecostal Churches in Postcolonial South Africa, Alternation Special Edition 38a (2021) 442-458, https://doi.org/10.29086/2519-5476/2021/sp38a18
  • Kgatle, M.S. 2022. Zionism and Pentecostalism: Black Zionist Roots in the AFM of SA through the Lens of Decoloniality. studia historia ecclessia 47(3): 1-13. https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/8015   
  • Kgatle, M.S. 2022. A Spirit-Filled Environment: Ecological Theology in Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in South Africa. International journal of religion and spirituality in society, 12(1), 151-157. https://doi.org/10.18848/2154-8633/CGP/v12i01/149-157
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2022, ‘“Go deeper papa, prophesy, do something”: The popularity and commercialisation of prophetic deliverance in African Pentecostalism’,Verbum et Ecclesia 43(1), a2480. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v43i1.2480
  • Kgatle, M.S. & Frahm-Arp, M., 2022, ‘Abuse, power and discourse in the public trial of Timothy Omotoso’, Verbum et Ecclesia 43(1), a2270. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v43i1.2270
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2022, ‘Demonology, eschatology and vaccinology in African independent Pentecostalism’, In die Skriflig 56(1), a2851.https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v56i1.2851
  • Kgatle, M.S, 2022, Integration in the early black Pentecostal community: a basis for social action in a post-1994 South Africa, pharos 113(1), 1-11  https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.10340
  • Kgatle, M.S., & Lephoto M.B., 2022. Towards Ecumenical Dialogue between African Pentecostalism and Roman Catholic. Pharos 113(1), 1-11 https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.10341 
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2022, ‘Peculiarities in the Pentecostal tradition: Disciplinal and decolonial perspectives in a South African context’, Verbum et Ecclesia 43(1), a2519. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v43i1.2519  
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2022.  Power dynamics among Pentecostal prophets in New Prophetic Churches: An African Christocentric missional approach, pharos 113(2), 1-10  https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.103.2016 
  • Kgatle, M.S, and J.S Thinane. 2022. "Missio Dei in the Context of Self-Proclaimed Spiritual Leaders in South Africa: A Missiological Perspective." The International Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Society 12 (2): 207-222.https://doi.org/10.18848/2154-8633/CGP/v12i02/207-222 
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2022. The newer Non-Denominational Pentecostal Churches in South Africa: A Critical Approach to Non-Denominationalism in Pentecostalism. Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, 48(2):1-14-pages. https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/10997
  • Kgatle, M.S., 2022, ‘The role of ecumenical bodies in curbing abuses in New Prophetic Churches in South Africa’, In die Skriflig 56(1), a2901. https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v56i1.2901  

  • Kgatle, M.S. and Lephoto, M.B., 2023. Rethinking the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement: an African ecclesiological approach, pharos journal of theology, 104(1), 1-12 https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.10415

  • Kgatle, M.S., 2023. Spiritual Fathering in Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in Southern and Western Africa: Toward an Inclusive Model, International journal of religion and spirituality in society, 13(1), 143-152.https://doi.org/10.18848/2154-8633/CGP/v13i01/143-152

  • Kgatle, M.S and Malema, F.T.M., 2023. Pentecostalisation in the Devhula Lebowa Circuit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa: towards church growth and ecumenism. 104(1), 1-12 https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.10429

Paper presentations

Plenary/keynote addresses

  • The balance between theory and praxis in South African Pentecostalism: Patmos Bible School as a model (presented at the GBFE/UNISA conference on “integrating theory and practice”, wiedenest, Germany via zoom), 24-25 August 2020
  • Ecumenism, proliferation of churches, and church regulation in South African Pentecostalism (presented at the conversation on Africa leadership in global Christianity conference, Accra, Ghana, Pentecost University), 11 June 2022
  • Integration in the early black Pentecostal community: a basis for social action in a post-1994 South Africa (presented at the Alliance for Black Pentecostal Scholarship 2022 virtual conference), 02 July 2022

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

  • Golden Key International Society 
  • New Testament Society of Southern Africa (NTSSA) 
  • South African Council of Educators
  • Society of Biblical Literature
  • South African Missiological Society
  • International Association for Mission Studies
  • Society of Pentecostal Studies 
  • Southern African Society of Pentecostal Studies (President)

Projects

  • Socio-Cultural Readings (2016-2018)
  • Meal of Peace (Ongoing project)
  • African Pentecostal Christianity (Ongoing project)