The Place of Theological Education in National Transformation: The Nigerian Experience
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Date
2012
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An Essay in Honour of Professor Cyril Okechukwu Imo by Department of Religion and Philosophy, University of Jos
Abstract
In recent times there have been tendencies in some religious circles to discredit the importance of theological education in national transformation. Frequently, an impression has been given that all that is needed for Christian ministry is the Holy Spirit and not theological education. Yet theological education is widely considered to be one of the factors affecting the future vitality and direction of Africa’s rapidly expanding church and nation. The thrust of this work is the place of theological education in national transformation in Africa with reference to Nigeria. The method used is historical. Theological education in biblical literature was investigated to establish how it was used as a tool for national transformation in ancient Israel and how it has been used or can be used to reposition Nigeria for the long awaited transformation. It was discovered that theological education shaped the lives of an average Israelite and thereby brought visible changes in the social and religious lives of the people. It is therefore recommended that theological education be encouraged at all levels of the development of the Nigerian child for the expected national transformation to be achieved.