Charles H Kraft

Charles Howard Kraft, born in 1932, is an American anthropologist, linguist, and evangelical Christian speaker. He holds the title of Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Intercultural Communication at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he specialized in intercultural studies and the spiritual-dynamics concentration. His academic career began at Fuller in 1969, following missionary work in Nigeria during the 1950s. Kraft has also held teaching positions in African languages and anthropology at institutions like Michigan State University, UCLA, and Biola University. His academic background includes degrees from Wheaton College, Ashland Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Hartford Seminary Foundation, with his doctoral research focused on Hausa syntax.

Since the early 1980s, Kraft's work has extensively explored the areas of inner healing and spiritual warfare within a religious context. He was instrumental in popularizing the "Third Wave of the Holy Spirit" alongside Peter Wagner, aligning with John Wimber's Vineyard Movement. Kraft also played a significant role in the development of spiritual mapping, a practice influenced by the Church Growth movement. Beyond his academic roles, Kraft founded Deep Healing Ministries and co-founded Hearts Set Free Ministries, engaging in global seminars and deliverance sessions. His influential and sometimes controversial book, "Christianity in Culture," proposed a model for contextualizing Christianity by adapting biblical meanings into new cultural forms, drawing parallels with dynamic equivalence in Bible translation.

Charles Kraft's work since the early 1980s has been heavily focused on the theological and practical aspects of inner healing and spiritual warfare. He is a proponent of understanding and engaging in what he terms "spiritual battles." This focus is reflected in his founding and leadership of Deep Healing Ministries, a deliverance ministry, and his role as Vice-President of Hearts Set Free Ministries. Through these organizations, Kraft conducts seminars and performs exorcisms globally, addressing issues he believes stem from spiritual oppression and generational curses. His publications frequently delve into these themes, offering guidance on confronting demonic influence and achieving spiritual wholeness. Kraft's perspective integrates anthropological insights with evangelical Christian beliefs to address supernatural phenomena and the spiritual lives of believers.

A significant area of Charles Kraft's academic and ministerial contribution lies in the concept of contextualization within cross-cultural Christian theology. His seminal work, "Christianity in Culture," published in 1979, proposed a methodology for adapting Christianity to diverse cultural settings. Kraft utilized the "dynamic equivalence" principle from Bible translation as an analogy, suggesting that Christianity itself must be translated into new forms to effectively communicate its core meanings across different cultures. This approach emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural worldviews and how they interact with biblical principles. Kraft's extensive international teaching and ministry experience, spanning numerous countries across continents, has informed his insights into the challenges and strategies of intercultural communication and theological application.