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African Polygamy: Church Action, · Community Reaction, and · Personal Interaction
(1994) A.M. OKORIE
Polygamy ~as been at the heart of the whole polemics within the Church and the African community. This social problem has been from tQ.e mid-nineteenth century until today. 1 The Western entry into Africa brought various changes, especially the introduction of Christianity. The Church and the community interacted, but in the practice of polygamy the Church and the community became strange bed-fellows. As Alan Tippett describes it: uThe .current situation is urgent."2 I shall briefly explore the nature, extent and function of polygamy, the problem or concern being debated, the Church action on polygamy, the community reaction in Africa, and my personal interaction with this sensitive socio-ecclesiastical issue.
The Kingdom of God and the Parousia of Jesus
(1995) A.M. OKORIE
AFRICAN WIDOWHOOD PRACTICES: THE IGBO MOURNING EXPERIENCE
(1995) A.M. Okorie
The Good News of Jesus Christ has brought salvation and hope to many who suffered in their former way of life. No greater contrast can be found than in the two different approaches to death, that of the Christian faith and that of African traditions. The Gospel liberates believers from the fear of death and fear of the living-dead. Yet the deep seated world view of African traditions persist, even in Christian communities. Dr. Okorie explores the mourning experience of the lgbo of Nigeria, as experienced particularly by the widows. He briefly mentions some of the ways in which the biblical teaching should transform the traditional approach to death. Death with alf the beliefs and practices surrounding this universal experience deserves more thought in order to know how to bring complete deliverance to God's people held in bondage of fear.
MEALS AS TYPE-SCENES IN THE THIRD GOSPEL
(1996) A.M.Okorie
Luke includes a reference to food in many chapters of the Third Gospel. It is obvious that meals play an important part in the Lukan presentation of the story of Jesus. The meals of Jesus have profound theological significance, and this significance mounts as each scene is carefully unfolded by the author. This paper is directed towards the establishment of a fixed pattern or type-scene which will serve to identify those scenes that can technically be called meal-scenes.
JOHN THE BAPTIST AND ELIJAH
(1999) A.M.Okorie
The purview of this paper is to examine the relationship between John the Baptist and Elijah. The paper will be divided into four parts: Old Testament background to the Elijah motif, John the Baptist and the Elijah motif in the Synoptic Gospels, as well as in the Johannine Gospel, and correlative issues.
POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMMES IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS
(Department of Religious Studies, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria, 2014) OLUBITAN, Adesina Abiodun
Poverty is a pervasive and complex problem in the developing countries of sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria and especially in the rural regions of Nigeria, its indicators include low family incomes, poor remuneration for workers, inadequate housing, prevalence of diseases, acute water shortage, a pervasive unemployment rate, low producer prices, poor market outlets, and a lack of road networks to enhance transportation of farm produce1. Wealth created in rural areas is easily engulfed by the capitalist-oriented state economy, while restrictions are placed upon the capacity of the local people to develop2 . According to the rural poverty report of 2001 by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the task of eradicating poverty requires sustained and consistent, yet flexible, joint action. IFAD maintains that efforts to reduce rural poverty must be multi-targeted because the challenge of ending poverty in developing countries like Nigeria has many dimensions3. The dimension employed in our assessment however, shall be from the Christian perspectives. To this end, this paper aims at articulating the extent and the miasma of poverty in Nigeria; its challenges and the prospects of alleviating it.
ADOLESCENT MORALITY AND THE CONCEPT OF RELIGIOUS THINKING FROM CHILDHOOD
(2017) OLUBITAN, Adesina Abiodun
In the words of Plato, “the ignorance most fatal to States and individuals is not ignorance in the field of technology or professions, but spiritual ignorance”. In this contemporary age, the perception of the adolescent can no longer be seen to be static. Instead, it has keenly followed a dynamic trend over times. In the Victorian times, the child was regarded as passive, ‘like a piece of was on which impressions had to be made’. But nowadays, they have energetic urges, drives and instincts, thereby making an average adolescent an ‘internal combustion engine, capable of spontaneous activity’. Unfortunately, this change has greatly affected their morality and bring-up. This presents before us concerned nagging questions. How will the future be safeguarded? How can morality be inculcated in the fibre of the adolescent? Ultimately, the society, the church and family units are the major contributory agencies in the life of a child. But singling out the religious institution in this context, our aim is to articulate the connection between morality and a child and how religious thinking or education can affects or impinge on the growing up child into the adolescent stage. It is understood that human beings cannot escape the inherent imperativeness of religion and morality upon our consciousness and life. It is a fact of religion that God is at the centre of life. Hence, using analytical and experiential methods, engaging the tool of interaction and personal participation, our findings showed that when basic religious instructions are instilled in the life of a child, it grows with them thereby making them to live a positive life and constantly having a recourse during their adolescent stage.
AN ASSESSMENT OF POVERTY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT: A CHALLENGE FOR THE CONTEMPORARY CHURCH IN NIGERIA
(Journal of Philosophy and Christian Studies, Department of Religious Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi-Nigeria, 2017) OLUBITAN, Adesina Abiodun
Abstract Poverty has become an unprecedented phenomenon and indeed, a household name in Nigeria. Its escalating trend is alarmingly on the increase every day. However, the Church in Nigeria has her root and manual from the Bible. And in this biblical context where Christianity has its root, issues pertaining to the poor and poverty did not go unaddressed. The Bible presents to us the various understanding of poverty. Based on this discovery, it sufficed us to know, how has the contemporary church in Nigeria abide by this biblical tenet, to address the problem of poverty and the situation of the poor in Nigeria. This paper is however not to accuse the church in Nigeria of not doing anything or much to ameliorate the suffering of the masses poor; but to show how poverty and the social conditions of the poor were dealt with in the Old Testament and how the contemporary church in Nigeria can saddled herself with the responsibility of catering for the poor in line with the Old Testament injunctions and the theme of liberation theology on the poor. In this context, upon the assessment of the Old Testament on poverty we intend it to lay credence to the call on the church in Nigeria to see poverty alleviation as a challenge and a clear-cut obligation in order to stem-up her efforts in combating poverty and social malaise in Nigeria.
“Adolescent Morality and the Concept of Religious Thinking from Childhood”.
(Journal of Research and Development in Education (JORDE), Institute of Education and Professional Development. University of Uyo, Uyo Akwa Ibom State. Volume 7, No. 1, 2017) OLUBITAN, Adesina Abiodun
Abstract In the words of Plato, “the ignorance most fatal to States and individuals is not ignorance in the field of technology or professions, but spiritual ignorance”. In this contemporary age, the perception of the adolescent can no longer be seen to be static. Instead, it has keenly followed a dynamic trend over times. In the Victorian times, the child was regarded as passive, ‘like a piece of was on which impressions had to be made’. But nowadays, they have energetic urges, drives and instincts, thereby making an average adolescent an ‘internal combustion engine, capable of spontaneous activity’. Unfortunately, this change has greatly affected their morality and bring-up. This presents before us concerned nagging questions. How will the future be safeguarded? How can morality be inculcated in the fibre of the adolescent? Ultimately, the society, the church and family units are the major contributory agencies in the life of a child. But singling out the religious institution in this context, our aim is to articulate the connection between morality and a child and how religious thinking or education can affects or impinge on the growing up child into the adolescent stage. It is understood that human beings cannot escape the inherent imperativeness of religion and morality upon our consciousness and life. It is a fact of religion that God is at the centre of life. Hence, using analytical and experiential methods, engaging the tool of interaction and personal participation, our findings showed that when basic religious instructions are instilled in the life of a child, it grows with them thereby making them to live a positive life and constantly having a recourse during their adolescent stage.
An Interrogation of Perspectives on Pre-Mosaic Tithe-Related Narratives.
(Department of Religions, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria., 2018) Fawenu Bamidele Olusegun
Tithing which describes the giving of ten per cent of one’s income for religious purposes is a popular religious practice among Christians. Its occurrences and practice in the Old Testament can be classified into three era; pre-mosaic, mosaic and post-mosaic. Opinions are divided on Christian adoption of this ancient Israelite practice. The pro-tithing perspective leans strongly on Abraham’s model to argue that contrary to the anti-tithing dubbing of the practice as legalism, the practice predated the Mosaic Law. Therefore, this paper examines the three references (Genesis 4:1-10; Genesis 14:8-24 and Genesis 28:10-22) to tithing before the time of Moses and interrogates the dual perspectives arising from them with the intent to ascertain the tenability of the claim of tithing advocates. Historical and analytical approaches were used in achieving the set goal of this paper. Data from the biblical passages as well as from scholars’ views were critically appraised. It was discovered that the divergent opinions on tithing are due to making of assertions and querying of the narratives beyond what they were scripted to supply. Therefore, while the heroism of the biblical patriarchs of faith can be emulated, on the strength of God’s ownership of man and the inestimable blessing of redemption that believers in Christ enjoy, serving God with material possession should not be conditional neither should it be by compulsion.
“Cultural Implication of Peaceful Religious Co-Existence in the Nigerian Pluralistic Society”
(THE PERFORMER Ilorin Journal of Performing Arts, Department of The Performing Arts, Faculty of Arts University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria; Vol. 20, (2018: Special Edition), 2018) OLUBITAN, Adesina Abiodun
The age of the Anthropocene can be said to be characterized by religion. It is a statement of fact that man is "incur-ably religious"; and “this religion has continued to play a central role in the geo-political landscape and societal milieus of the world”. Peace and justice, of certainty cannot be undertaken or addressed in a meaningful way by any one religious tradition. It is obvious that no one religion can claim to be exclusive of the other in this God’s own universe. We are in a society shared by people of different cultures, races and diverse religious tenents. People of various religious groups do not only confront each other and not merely live side by side confronting modern problems, but jointly constitute the societies and communities of which we are all active members. In this conjecture, what can one say could be the possible cause(s) of violence? Also, what has made it so difficult to achieve peace in our world? It is obvious that, dialogue has to do with interreligious encounters in the process or processes of thinking together in order to champion a common cause. It is understandable that religion is an integral “shaper of values” which has critical foundational role. Hence, in line with this trend, the future of humanity especially in the Nigeria context in days ahead will depend on how well we manage the tool of dialogue for a peaceful co-existence. But, has dialogue really achieved much? What is the possibility of achieving authentic peaceful co-existence? It is in this nexus that this article is advocating for ‘value placement’ on each other’s religion for a peaceful religious co-existence in the society. This idea sub-sets in the understanding of religious and cultural social realities. The methodology for this work stems from experiential, observatory and participatory in addition to the use of secondary sources.
A DIALYSIS OF HUMAN PERSONALITY AND THE EFFECT OF POVERTY ON CHARACTER
(KWASU Journal of Religious Studies, Department of Religions, Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria, 2018) OLUBITAN, Adesina Abiodun
Abstract The concomitant effect of poverty on the character of a person cannot be over-emphasised. Poverty and the array of socio-economic woes in the society portend grave capacity that demeans and dehumanize the personality of an individual. A ‘person’ as a unit, loses personal ego and self-worth when the potential of what makes him/her a ‘Person’ and gives the individual voice and power in the society is lacking. In this scenario, a person’s character which is tied to personality will suffer some indignity. In the context of economic power therefore, viz-a-viz; poverty, the character of a Person cannot be fully exhibited, hence, the person is prone to a character dentations and incapacitation. This paper therefore, prods into the human personality in an attempt to conjecture the effect of poverty on the character of a person. If it can be said that the individual trait, character and temperament are the basic ingredients of personality; then it goes with the reason why personality reflects the different categories of people. Apparently, this explicates the purpose for having successful people and those who are not successful. The methods used in gathering data, are psycho-analytical, participatory observation, analytic and experiential.
Tithing in African Christianity: An Enquiry into its Origin in United Missionary Church of Africa (UMCA), Nigeria.
(The Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, Universirty of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2019) Fawenu, Bamidele Olusegun
Academic discussion of African Christianity is broad in content and scope. In recent time attention has been given to criticism of prosperity preaching with emphasis on tithing in African Pentecostalism. However, not much has been done on the practice of tithing among the mainline churches that are equally pro-tithing yet less financially buoyant like the Pentecostals. United Missionary Church of Africa (UMCA), a pro-tithing mainline Church seems to fall short of the financial strength commensurate to the longevity of the Church in Nigeria. The expatriate missionaries who established the Church have been commonly blamed for not teaching indigenous members of the church on financial stewardship including tithing. Therefore, this paper investigates the origin of the practice of tithing in UMCA so as to unveil the facts and objectively set the records straight regarding the emergence of tithing in UMCA. Data of interviews done with key leaders and patriarchs of UMCA were supplemented with those retrieved from archival documents. Content analysis and Historical criticism were used. The paper basically focuses on ascertaining whether or not the expatriate missionaries taught Nigerians tithing with significant emphasis. The paper will advance the frontier of scholarship on tithing from an African Christian experience and fill an historical vacuum for UMCA. Findings show that the expatriates Missionaries gave and taught tithing but with some restraints at the inception. Stronger emphasis on tithing started with the indigenous leadership of the church as necessity of funding the church independent of foreign assistance emerged.
Community Development in the Light of Ecclesiastical Sensitivity to Climate Change in Ilorin
(Routledge, 2019) Fawenu, Bamidele Olusegun
Climate change and consequent debilitating effect on humanity is a global phenomenon. Industrial carbon emission, pollution, improper waste disposal and poor waste management plus wrong agricultural practices are some of the human activities that have evidently aggravated global atmospheric warming. The need for humanity to rise to her responsibility of stewardship of the environment for a sustainable development of the community becomes emphatically germane. Therefore, this chapter examines the extent of awareness of Churches in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State Nigeria about the menace of climate change and ascertain their involvement in the fight against it. The data collected from a questionnaire administered to selected Churches were analyzed using simple percentage. The earliest reference to environmental care in Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15 was exegetically examined with bias for lexical and contextual implications of selected key words in the passage. The chapter shows that the Churches in the researched locale need to be more informed on this subject and get involved in helping the community to reduce human activities that encourage climate change so that developmental efforts could yield enduring results.
Xenophobic Expressions in Post-Apartheid South Africa in Retrospect of Leviticus 19:33-34's Injunctions and Ubuntu.
(Department of Religion and African Culture, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, 2020) Fawenu, Bamidele Olusegun
The sustained trend of violence against immigrants of other nations in post apartheid South Africa calls for serious concern because of the yearning in recent years for Africa renaissance through Pan Africanism, a yearning largely credited to Thabo Mbeki, the former President of South Africa. While the realization of this craving is still being anticipated, African race is confronted with xenophobic attacks leading to loss of lives and properties. Taking cognisance of the official response of South African Council of Churches to the issue and leaning on historical and exegetical research tools, this paper interrogates the reason for the perpetuity of the problem despite prominence of anti xenophobia ideologies in the cultural, political and religious domains of the country. Biblical prescription for treating a foreigner contained in Heiligkeitsgesetz (the holiness code) of Leviticus 19:3334, ubuntu and the advocacy for the African renaissance was used as prisms for responding to this social malaise. The gleanings from the Bible text align with the prominent South African cultural philosophy of Ubuntu and the objectives of the African renaissance crusade. Hypocrisy of political leadership, scapegoat blame fixing by traditional leadership is found as part of the reasons for the sustained recurrence of xenophobic attacks. Therefore, the Government of South Africa and traditional rulers should engage in National re-orientation for the citizens and demonstrate political will to eliminate this social debacle. The Church should along side harness economic resources to empower the indigent, engage in campaign against continued perpetuation of xenophobia through sincere and sustained religious education.
An Exegesis of Malachi 3:6-12
(Scott Christian University, Machakos, Kenya., 2020) Fawenu, Bamidele Olusegun
This paper exegetes Malachi 3:6-12 using historical-grammatical method of exegesis and principlism in order to suggest a workable application of the injunction on tithing to contemporary Christians in Africa, particularly in Nigeria. This becomes necessary because of the recent resurgence of affront on the pro-tithing Churches’ teaching and practice of tithing. It was found out that for ancient Israelites who were the immediate audience of the Oracles of Malachi, tithing is inseparably connected to the agricultural produce from the land of promise; failure to remit the tithes appropriately resulted in seizure of rain and consequent failure of agricultural productivity of the land. Therefore, the injunction and penalisation attached to its default subsisted within the ambit of covenant relationship Yahweh had with the people. In relation to the New Testament teachings, giving is a timeless principle that subsumes tithing. Therefore, while percentage specific giving may not be rigidly mandated today, financial and material stewardship is a timeless principle for the community of faith then and now, which must be premised on genuine personal relationship with God.
The Impacts of Pentecostal Churches on the Growth of Christianity in Nigeria
(Sapientia Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Developmental Studies (SGOJAHDS), 2020) Peter Olanrewaju Awojobi
Christianity came to the African continent many centuries ago as a small mustard seed. Today, it has recorded tremendous growth after undergoing some changes; in form of renewal, transformation, reformation, and revivals. Volumes have been written on the Impacts of the Mission Established Churches to the growth of Christianity in Nigeria with little or no attention paid to the Pentecostal Churches that emerged around the turn of the 20th century. This study therefore, is an attempt to bring to the fore the impacts of the Pentecostal on the growth of Christianity in Africa with reference to Nigeria. The Method used is historical. It was discovered that Pentecostal Churches through their style of worship have been able to contextualise the Christian faith and thus enhanced growth. Hence, for Christianity to make the expected impacts in Africa it must embrace the African worldview.
The Prophet David Olulana Babajide: Pioneer of a School of Prophets in Nigeria
(International Journal of Innovation & Research in Education Sciences (IJIRES), 2020) Peter Olanrewaju Awojobi
There were Schools of Prophets in some cities in ancient Israel (e.g.in Bethel, Gilgal, Jericho, Shiloh, etc). Those who feel called to the prophetic ministry were trained in any of this School by a senior Prophet and are released upon graduation to pursue their calling. Samuel was the first to organize the School of Prophets in ancient Israel. In Nigeria, Prophet David Olulana Babajide established one of the early Schools of Prophets in the country called Babajide School of Prophets and Evangelists in Ilesa, Osun State. Despite all odds and persecution from Christ Apostolic Church at its inception, this School has trained hundreds of Prophets who are making impacts in Nigeria and beyond. Previous works on prophetic ministry in Nigeria has paid little or no attention to the contributions of this School and its founder to the prophetic ministry in Nigeria. The fulcrum of this paper is to examine the impacts of Babajide and his School of Prophets on the prophetic ministry in Nigeria. The methods used for this study include: historical, comparative and interviews. It was discovered that most of the prominent Prophets who are making impacts in prophetic ministry in Nigeria were trained by Babajide in the School of Prophets. The School through the ministry of Babajide has reshaped Christianity in Nigeria. The paper concludes that Nigeria needs Prophets like Babajide who will raise true Prophets that will transform the Church in particular and the Nation in general.
Yahweh's Indictment on Corrupt Shepherd in Jeremiah 23: 1-4 and Its Reflections in Political and Religious Structure in Nigeria
(KIU Journal of Humanities: Kampala International University, 2020) Peter Olanrewaju Awojobi
Jeremiah 23:1-4 is considered as one of the cases where Yahweh expressed his displeasure on the leaders he appointed for his People. One of the responsibilities of the leader is justice for all. Yahweh was surprised to see that the leaders that are expected to protect and defend their subjects are the ones scattering and exploiting them. The study, therefore examined the activities of the Shepherds or Leaders in Jeremiah’s time and their effects in ancient Israel, with a view to establishing its reflections in political and religious structures in Nigeria. The researcher observed that, like in the days of Prophet Jeremiah some Political and Religious Leaders in Nigeria are Corrupt. They abuse the power entrusted to them. They feed themselves instead of feeding the flock. They are more concern about their well-being than that of their subjects. They use their influence or power to pervert justice. This has brought the nation to disrepute. Moral decadence and all kinds of vices are the order of the day. Today, Nigeria is believed to be one of the most corrupt nations of the World. There are allegations of corruption traced to some political and religious leaders in Nigeria. To build a virile nation, political and religious leaders in Nigeria are to be exemplary in conduct and make justice and equity their watch word.
Jesus’ Methods of Communication and Its Implications for Nigerian Pastors.
(International Journal of Biblical & Cognate Studies (IJBCS): Benue State University, 2020) Peter Olanrewaju Awojobi
Good communication is key to sound organizational practice and successful group relationship. Leaders are expected to give accurate and clear information to their followers. The leadership is to provide clear, accurate facts and figures so that their followers can effectively complete their tasks. This paper examined Jesus’ methods of Communication and its Implications for Pastors in Nigeria. The study through the use of Historical method discovered that methods used by Jesus were not strange to his audience. Jesus’ audience had a good understanding of what he was trying to communicate to them because he spoke in clear terms and in the language they understood. Nigerian is in need of leaders like Jesus that will communicate divine message clearly and boldly.

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