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Through exploring two great prophets of the movement—Rainisoalambo and Nenilava—and their styles of proclamation and teaching, Ogilvie discovers what he deems as the victory of the oral over the written word, a controversial argument as the written word was so key to the mission contribution to life on the island. Sociolinguist Leoni Bouwer offers her perspective on the relationship of revival and language, highlighting historic missiological strategies operative on the island in Bible translation that have resulted in a situation of injustice and significant obstacles to the evangelistic task. Bouwer raises the question of whether the indigenization of the church in Madagascar has yet occurred and shares perspective on what components need to be established for that to take place.
The section concludes with an exploration of theological understandings of revelation by Mark Rich. Rich examines the work of scholars on theories of revelation and argues that the ways in which Jesus chose to reveal himself—through appearances, sayings, and the Eucharistic meal—must have primacy for Jesus’ disciples. Looking at the practices of the Fifohazana movement in terms of these ways of revelation, Rich raises questions on the movement’s relationship to the churches, as well as lessons about Jesus that the movement and the churches have to teach each other.
Finally, in a concluding essay, Rich joins with me in an overview of current developments on the island and internationally within the movement and looks at developments in the wider society and the church surrounding the movement that are impacting its life and could impact it in the future. As new leaders arise and the movement continues in an unpredictable and untamable fashion to grow and change, one question persists: How do Malagasy Christians deal with and integrate the meaning of a movement based irrevocably in continuing, living revelation, which moves in directions not planned or expected? The reality is that in Madagascar and beyond, the Fifohazana movement’s ministry, influence, and number of adherents continue to increase. This movement has paradoxically come to life, growth, and maturity in an ancestor-reverencing society and belief structure, which gives primary honor and deference to all that came before the present day.