MEANINGFUL IMPACTS OF DYNAMICS IN CULTURE AND RELIGION
The relationship between culture and religion is often seen as a pseudo-conceived one (positive or negative one), with freedom of both often invoked to defend human and course of existence. In response, many draw a distinction between culture and religion, and what is insinuated is that culture is the problem, not religion. However, the reality is that in many cases, culture and religion are not so distinct, with cultural practices becoming “religionized” and religious ideas becoming part...
On Theology of Westminster Confession, Strength and Weakness
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a systematic exposition of Calvinism, written from a Puritan viewpoint. It was originally drafted to reform the Church of England and to unify the various Christian sects in England at that time. The document addresses doctrines such as the Trinity, the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, sola scriptura, and sola fide. The full Westminster Confession of Faith can be found here.
RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL DYNAMICS AND THEIR NEED FOR SOCIETAL RESULTS
Religion and culture seem like complex ideas to study from the perspective of International Relations. After all, scholars and philosophers have long debated the meaning of these terms and the impact they have had on our comprehension of the social world around us. So is it an impossibly complicated task to study religion and culture at the global level? Fortunately, the answer is ‘no’, for we can recognise and respect complexity without being confused about what we mean by each term. In ...
Where are the Church Exorcists? Towards Re-Examining and Proposing for a Ministry of Exorcism
A renowned theologian, C.S. Lewis wrote, “There are two equal and opposite errors into which ourrace can fall about devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is tobelieve, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them” (Lewis 7). Some Christians focus too much on evil instead of keeping the focus on Jesus Christ.Many other Christians pretend evil beings do not exist or have no contact orinfluence with believers. Due to the influence of the enlightenmen...
OLD TESTAMENT CUSTOMS OF ISRAEL: TOWARDS ADDRESSING SOME OF THE ILLS OF SOCIETAL CUSTOMS AND MANNERS (NIGERIA CONTEXT)
Custom is perceived to be acceptable way of behaviour which is an integral part of morality of every society. The custom of people guide them into doing the right thing expected of them in the society. In Nigeria, there are ills which affect the well being of the citizens; corruption has devoured the goodness seen in the country. This problem ranges from social, cultural, educational, political and religiously. This is a cankerworm in the fabric of the country. This research will help to addr...
Evaluation of Some Leaders of Agitation Groups in Nigeria With Some of The Leaders That Served as Messiah in The Old Testament
The research topic for study is “Evaluation of some Leaders of Agitation Groups in Nigeria using some of the Leaders that served as Messiahs in the Old Testament.” The study centered on the leadership qualities and the works done by these agitation group leaders in their various spheres, bringing out explicitly the motive behind their leadership and the agenda which these groups propagate. In essence, leadership entails influencing others to accomplish an objective and directs the organiz...
Evaluation of the Old Testament Prophetism and Biblical Paradigm of the Schools of the Prophets
This paper discusses the prophetic ministry and the order of training employed at the time of the Old Testament. Worthy of note is that, the name given to bands of prophets or “sons of prophets” living together for instruction and worship under Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha. Little is known about these schools, but they seem to have been important religious institutions in Israel and references to them are frequent. Not all the “sons of the prophets” claimed to have a supernatural gift; ...
LIBERAL CHRISTIAN GIVING
Our generosity in giving is a demonstration of God’s character and a response to what He has done for us. As God has given to us generously, we are to give cheerfully, not by necessity or grudgingly. When we appropriately receive God’s generosity, it humbles us. We recognize that we are not worthy of His gift. Out of gratefulness, we become more gracious with others. When one person gives freely to another, the recipient often “passes forward” the gift. In the Christian life, the im...
PROPHETISM and SCHOOLS OF THE PROPHETS In The OLD TESTAMENT
This paper discusses the prophetic ministry and the order of training employed at the time of the Old Testament. Worthy of note is that, the name given to bands of prophets or “sons of prophets”living together for instruction andbworship under Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha
An Idea into Suspension of Life (Support) from a Scriptural Bases
How should Christians come to the end of life? What is the appropriate use of technology to prolong life?How can we assure that when our time to die comes we will do it in answer to the call of God rather than because all of the technology of modern medicine has been exhausted?These are difficult questions. We will not find easy answers. We must never trivialize them. Nevertheless, I believe that if we immerse ourselves in the Scriptures and truly begin to think biblically, we will emerge...
THEOLOGY OF DEATH; THE CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE AND MINISTRY TO THE DYING
Death is not something that we enjoy talking about, at least not seriously (the jokes are innumerable), and funerals are even less popular as a topic of serious conversation. Joseph Bayly called death The Last Thing We Talk About. Yet such discussions ought not be left to the end, for if we have time to discuss it at the end (we often don’t since such appointments are rarely made in advance!), we are often in the least objective place to do so. Pain, grief, and sorrow typically color the ...
BIBLICAL YOUNG ADULT COUNSELING
Working with teens has its own unique set of challenges and oftentimes as providers we’re relegated to positions of listener, mentor, and guide, regardless of whether or not we’re actual therapists or counselors. I have known many teachers who build authentic relationships with their students and in turn their students feel more comfortable talking to them about their problems rather than the school therapist. For educators ,it’s important to know that there are limitations to the cou...
AFRICAN INDEPENDENT CHURCHES (AICs): Overview of History, Achievements and Prospects
African Indigenous Church(AIC) is a Christian church independently started in Africa by Africans rather than by missionaries from another continent. African Indigenous Churches, also known as African Independent Churches, African Initiated Churches,African Instituted Churches, or just AICs, represent well over 10,000 independent Christian denominations in Africa. African Indigenous Churches are found in every region and country in Africa, but they are more adequately documented in west Af...
THE PENTATEUCH, ITS AUTHORSHIP DEBATE AND THE 613 MOSAIC LAWS
The first five books of the Bible (both Hebrew and Christian) are foundational to all of Scripture and rank as one of the most important portions of the Word of God (Wolf17).This is so because its theological and historical revelations are necessary for an understanding of the rest of the Old Testament and the New Testament as well.These five books contain, for example, God's revelation about the origin of the world with its emphasis on the creation of man made in the image of God, how sin...
OLD TESTAMENT COVENANT (types and foundations)
Covenant is one of the most important theological ideas in biblical theology. It is reflected in the traditional labels Old and New Testaments,i.e. ,covenants. The concept exists at significant points in the Bible’s storyline and is the theological glue that binds promise to fulfillment. Psalm 25:14, David says,“The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He wilt make them know His covenant". The secret of covenant must be approached in the reverent fear of God. It is wit...