Rastafarianism is a twentieth-century spiritual movement that elevates Haile Selassie as divine and mixes cultural, Old Testament, and nationalist ideas. The Bible teaches that true salvation, guidance, and transformation come only through faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Rastafarianism is a twentieth-century spiritual movement that began in Jamaica, blending Ethiopian identity, Marcus Garvey’s prophecy, and reinterpretations of the Bible. Central to the movement is the belief that Haile Selassie I is divine, seen as Jesus incarnate, and that Africans are the recipients of God’s promises. Rastas misuse Old Testament practices to create their own, including dietary laws, dreadlocks, and the use of cannabis as a sacred ritual. The Bible teaches that true salvation and a personal relationship with God come only through faith in Jesus Christ and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 8:9-11; Galatians 5:22-23). Allegiance to human leaders or cultural symbols cannot provide eternal life, assurance, or spiritual transformation. Rastafarianism misrepresents God’s plan of salvation. Christians are called to find unity, hope, and eternal peace through Christ alone, rather than through human-led religious movements.
Rastafarianism, the Rastafari movement, or simply Rasta, is a spiritual movement begun in Jamaica in the 1930s. Named for Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia's pre-regnal name, Ras Tafari, the movement is based mainly on the prophecies and ideology of Marcus Garvey, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and an organizer of the black nationalist movement of the United States. Believing that blacks throughout the world should return to their land of origin, Marcus Garvey proclaimed, "Look to Africa where a black king shall be crowned, he shall be your Redeemer." It is interesting to note that Garvey himself, though he is sometimes fashioned as a second John the Baptist, never held to or endorsed the Rastafari movement.
Soon after Garvey's prophecy, Ras Tafari was crowned Haile Selassie I, and many in Jamaica and elsewhere who were influenced by Garvey took this to be the prophecy's fulfillment. This occurrence was mixed with various elements from the Old and New Testaments, which Rastas accept for the most part, although they believe the Bible's message has been corrupted. Today, Rastas believe that Haile Selassie I was Jesus incarnate, returned to earth in His second coming, that Africa is now the recipient of God's promises to Israel, that the Old Testament dietary laws are to be followed today, and that the smoking of cannabis, i.e. marijuana or weed, is a sacred rite that brings a person closer to god and the truth. Many Rastas also believe that the requirements for those under a Nazarite vow in the Old Testament apply to them, and thus do not cut their hair. Instead they twist it into dreadlocks, earning them the term as a nick-name.
Rastafari does not present hope of eternal salvation, nor a true representation of God. Their interpretation of and value for the Bible is dubious and unfortunate at best. It is absolutely true that God loves and values the African peoples and those who were removed from their lands. The injustices and crimes committed against Africans were unconscionable, and the various troubles in Africa today are horribly difficult to deal with. Only through an acceptance of Jesus' salvation and the Holy Spirit's work in our lives will we be able to reach any level of peace and forgiveness among historically opposing groups. Once Jesus does return and establishes His rule over the whole earth, evil will be contained and true peace will exist. Until then, evil will continue to cause pain on earth, but Christians have a real hope that it will end. This is the hope offered to all people, including Africa and her peoples, and which God desperately desires her to accept.