Power in Context: Healing Practices in Churches in Norway and Madagascar

The aim of this article is to investigate the power dynamics at play in open and announced healing practices in Norway and Madagascar. The main research question is: What characterizes the power dynamics at play in healing practices in Norway and Madagascar? We analyzed empirical material by using a power theoretical approach to describe the exercise of power. Through a study in two different ecclesial and cultural contexts, we indicate the (il)legality of exercising “power over” in healing practices, how the “power from” concept can be misused to justify a “power over” attitude – but can also moderate the use of this attitude – and how crucial it is to practice a relational, mutual interdependency.