FROM WAR TO DANCE: BEYOND THE METAPHOR OF ‘HOLY GHOST FIRE!'

Abstract

lieve in and determines how we live. This is expressed in Latin as ‘lex
orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi.’ This write-up seeks to highlight the truth of this
principle as it manifests itself in the shift of invocation to the Holy Spirit. I will
show that a partial shift has taken place from the traditional form of invocation to
another form propagated in nascent popular Christianity. The shift is partial
because the traditional form still exists alongside the new one. Traditionally, Holy
Spirit is invoked and implored to enkindle in the faithful the fire of His love and
to renew the face of the earth. In nascent popular Christianity however, the Holy
Spirit is mobilized as fire to burn up the enemy. In prayer gatherings, as the leader,
often in a loud voice, intones “Holy Ghost!” the participants respond, “Fire!”
These verbal gestures are choreographed to simulate the pulling of a trigger to
release the Holy Ghost like bullet or canon ball to devastate the enemy.