scholarly journals Narratological reading of poverty-related parables (Lk 12:13–21; 14:15–24; 16:19–31)

2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olubiyi A. Adewale
Keyword(s):  
Social Action ◽  
Church Of God ◽  
Economic Policies ◽  
Economic Independence ◽  
Christian Church ◽  
National Budget ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Literary Device ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Church

Nigeria is an example of developing countries characterised by mass poverty in the midst of plenty. Coincidentally, the Nigerian church is stupendously rich. Pastor Emmanuel, a former National Coordinator of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Germany, notes that the annual revenue of the Nigeria church in 2014 is over ₦3 trillion while surprisingly, the national budget is ₦4.69tn for the year. Gigantic buildings, exotic cars and private jets are the hallmarks of the church’s wealth. Some pastors acquire jets ranging from ₦2.3 to ₦6.4 billion with additional ₦8.4bn for maintenance and salaries annually. Surrounded by this ‘affluence’ are thousands of poor, unemployed and barely surviving church members. This calls for the need to examine what Lukan Jesus would have wanted the church to do with her wealth. This article examines Lukan parables on the rich and the poor using narratological method. Thus, the parables’ context, the characterisation and the plot is analysed, including lexical-syntactical relationships. Finally, the lessons derived is used via socio-scientific reading of the Nigerian situation to arrive at a theology of social action for the poor. Most parables are open-ended, a literary device that ensures the readers take a decision, therefore the message focuses on the church rather than individual Christians.Contribution: The article recommends that church-owned institutions should make education accessible to the poor, rise against socio-economic policies that will impoverish people while seeking economic independence of the poor. Finally, the church should also integrate the differently-abled into the church.

Pentecostalism and African diaspora : a case study of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), in North America

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-92
Author(s):  
Rotimi Williams Omotoye
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
North America ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
The United States ◽  
Church Of God ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Christian Church ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Church

Pentecostalism as a new wave of Christianity became more pronounced in 1970's and beyond in Nigeria. Since then scholars of Religion, History, Sociology and Political Science have shown keen interest in the study of the Churches known as Pentecostals because of the impact they have made on the society. The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) was established by Pastor Josiah Akindayomi in Lagos,Nigeria in 1952. After his demise, he was succeeded by Pastor Adeboye Adejare Enock. The problem of study of this research was an examination of the expansion of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to North America, Caribbean and Canada. The missionary activities of the church could be regarded as a reversed mission in the propagation of Christianity by Africans in the Diaspora. The methodology adopted was historical. The primary and secondary sources of information were also germane in the research. The findings of the research indicated that the Redeemed Christian Church of God was founded in North America by Immigrants from Nigeria. Pastor Adeboye Enock Adejare had much influence on the Church within and outside the country because of his charisma. The Church has become a place of refuge for many immigrants. They are also contributing to the economy of the United States of America. However, the members of the Church were faced with some challenges, such as security scrutiny by the security agencies. In conclusion, the RCCGNA was a denomination that had been accepted and embraced by Nigerians and African immigrants in the United States of America.

Early Medieval Charity

1952 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances J. Niederer
Keyword(s):  
Christian Church ◽  
Early Medieval ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The People ◽  
The Times ◽  
The Church

Among the multitudinous and pressing problems faced by the Christian Church during the early medieval centuries one of the greatest was the feeding of the poor. Subjection to war, to famine, to the general anarchy of the times, had doubled the misery of the people and made them even more dependent upon public charity. Quite early it became evident that this must be an organized charity, that the problem was not being met by individual Christian action. A homily of Chrysostom (347–407) deplores the laxity of his contemporaries: “It is with you all that the treasure of the Church should be, and it is your cruelty that causes her to be obliged to possess and to deal in houses and lands.

scholarly journals Hakekat Seksualitas Manusia : Perspektif Gereja Kristen Nazarene di Abad 21 terhadap Praktek LGBT

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39
Author(s):  
Bakhoh Jatmiko
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Church Of The Nazarene ◽  
The Other ◽  
Church Of God ◽  
Age Changes ◽  
Christian Church ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The World ◽  
Bisexual And Transgender ◽  
The Church

Civilization and social structure have dramatically changed in these last several decades. Exponential development of globalization and the growth of technology of communication have transformed values, views and cultures of human civilization nowadays. These are the symptoms of world web wide era; where the local issues can be global discussion in minutes. In one hand, the Church of God should be sensitive to the age changes, does some adaptations and changes to be relevant. In the other hand, the Church of God should not be conformed to this world. Church of the Nazarene as one of the Christian Church denominations in the world is demanded to take the stance to deal with the changes that are happened today especially in LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) issue.

scholarly journals The structural advancement of religious communities and the commercialisation of the Christian religion in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Diara ◽  
Mmesoma Onukwufor ◽  
Favour Uroko
Keyword(s):  
Religious Communities ◽  
Armed Robbery ◽  
The Real ◽  
Christian Religion ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The People ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Spiritual Problems ◽  
Bad Leadership ◽  
The Church

This article examines the activities of Christian religious communities and the birth of a commercialised Christian religion. It begins by creating an atmosphere that the Nigerians find themselves in, and explaining as to why they rely more on religious vendors for solutions to their physical and spiritual problems. Thus, the real causalities are the people with no contentment. The commercialisation of religion in Nigeria has been characterised by increased poverty and social vices such as armed robbery, bad leadership and bad citizenship. Findings reveal that adherents of the various churches that have commercialised their blessings comprise both the poor and the rich of the society. The poor are seeking God for instant blessing, while the rich are seeking God for the sustainability of their wealth and protection. True religion is now lost in Nigeria. Some pastors treat the church as an investment, expecting to get something in return personally when the institution prospers financially. This is evident in the rise in sugar-coated preaching in most Nigerian churches. It was discovered that commercialisation of churches is mainly for financial gains, and it is an offshoot of the proliferation of churches in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Die plek en funksie van die Heidelbergse Kategismus in ’n omkeerstrategie in die Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Callie F.C. Coetzee
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Church Of Christ ◽  
Church Of God ◽  
Unique Character ◽  
The Future ◽  
Special Occasion ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
The Rich ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Church

Die herdenking van die 450 jarige bestaan van die Heidelbergse Kategismus (1563−2013) is ’n baie besondere geleentheid. Dit is ’n geleentheid om ons in die ryke erfenis van die 16de-eeuse Reformasie te verheug. Dit is ook ’n geleentheid om met die oog op die toekoms van kerkwees oor die relevansie, handhawing en belewing van hierdie erfenis te besin. Wat die Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika betref, word hierdie besinning oor die plek en funksie van die Heidelbergse Kategismus (HK) in besonder in hierdie artikel gedoen in die lig van die sogenaamde omkeerstrategie waarop die Algemene Sinode van 2012 besluit het. Deputate wat die volgende sinode moet adviseer, het onder andere die opdrag om ’n studie te doen ‘… van die suiwerheid en toepaslikheid van die leer wat op elke vlak verkondig word, asook hoe dit verder uitgebou kan word’. In die artikel word beredeneer dat die volgende sake in die besinning oor ’n omkeerstrategie vir ’n kerkgemeenskap in die reformatoriese tradisie aandag sal moet ontvang: Die wese van die kerk, kerk en belydenis en die belydenis as deel van die wese van die kerk. Wat die HK in besonder betref, word aandag gegee aan die unieke aard daarvan, die kategismusprediking en die apologetiese en missionale gerigtheid daarvan omdat dit ’n belangrike onderdeel van die werk van bogenoemde deputate vorm. Die artikel word afgesluit met enkele slotopmerkings en ‘aanbevelings’ dat opnuut oor die kategismusprediking besin word en dat die handhawing van die belydenis in enige omkeerstrategie ononderhandelbaar is.The place and function of the Heidelberg Catechism in a ‘turn-around’ strategy within the Reformed Churches in South Africa. The commemoration of the 450th year of the Heidelberg Catechism (1563−2013) is a special occasion worldwide. It is an opportunity to experience gratitude and joy for the rich heritage of the 16th-century Reformation. It is also an opportunity to reflect on maintaining and experiencing this heritage of being church in the future. As far as the Reformed Churches in South Africa are concerned, this reflection on the future is focused in this article on the so-called turn-around strategy, decided on by the General Synod of 2012. A mandate was given to deputees in this regard, inter alia to undertake a study regarding the soundness and relevance of the doctrine that is proclaimed and how that can be further promoted. It is argued in this article that the following issues should be addressed in reflecting on a turn-around strategy for a church in the Reformed tradition: the essence of the church, church and confession and the confession as part of the essence of the church. As far as the Heidelberg Catechism in particular is concerned, the following points are addressed: the unique character of the Heidelberg Catechism, catechism preaching, the apologetic and missional focus of the Heidelberg Catechism in the light of the task to be dealt with by the abovementioned deputees. It is concluded that special attention should be given anew to catechism preaching and that maintaining the confessions is not negotiable for the church of Christ on her way to his second coming. Believe me, my Lord, the Church of God will never preserve itself without a Catechism. (Uit ‘n brief van Calvyn aan Somerset, 22 Oktober 1548; Vgl Wallace 1990:97)

scholarly journals HAKEKAT SEKSUALITAS MANUSIA : PERSPEKTIF GEREJA KRISTEN NAZARENE DI ABAD 21 TERHADAP PRAKTEK LGBT

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bakhoh Jatmiko
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Church Of The Nazarene ◽  
The Other ◽  
Church Of God ◽  
Age Changes ◽  
Christian Church ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The World ◽  
Bisexual And Transgender ◽  
The Church

Civilization and social structure have dramatically changed in these last several decades. Exponential development of globalization and the growth of technology of communication have transformed values, views and cultures of human civilization nowadays. These are the symptoms of world web wide era; where the local issues can be global discussion in minutes. In one hand, the Church of God should be sensitive to the age changes, does some adaptations and changes to be relevant. In the other hand, the Church of God should not be conformed to this world. Church of the Nazarene as one of the Christian Church denominations in the world is demanded to take the stance to deal with the changes that are happened today especially in LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) issue.

scholarly journals Ubodzy w diecezji augustowskiej czyli sejneńskiej

2003 ◽  
Vol 46 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 167-191
Author(s):  
Witold Jemielity
Keyword(s):  
Turn Of The Century ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Parish Priest ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Bank Accounts ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Church

Each parish had to provide maintenance to all the poor living on that area. Some of them used to live by the church in the parish houses called hospitals while others lived in villages. Few hospitals used the money put down to their bank accounts by the rich, the others were supported thanks to the alms of the parishioners and help of the parish-priest. Residents of hospitals cleaned the church, rang the bell for church, served during the mess or helped on the farm. Other poor people were called beggers. The parish-priest kept a record of beggers, issued certificates qualifying them to alms on the area of his parish, encouraged his parishioners to generosity. Civil authorities often criticized the quantity of beggers, idlers and wanderers. They tried to find any solution even by sending such people to the army or by forcing them to work. They mainly stressed that that was the duty of the parish. After the January Uprising communes got self-governed powers and since then they took care of the poor. On the turn of the century charity organizations came into being.

scholarly journals The role of the church in the struggle against poverty: A Hervormde Kerk in Suidelike Afrika perspective

1996 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Mpanza
Keyword(s):  
The Poor ◽  
The World ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Charity Work ◽  
The Church

The essence of being a church is love. The church as an organization based on love has the responsibility of loving God, his people and the world which God himself loved first. This paper is about the responsibility of a 'poor church', the Hervormde Kerk in Suidelike Afrika, which despite its poverty still has the vocation of becoming meaningful to its members. Two appeals are made here: firstly, that both the rich and the poor churches should, despite their circumstances, play their roles in combating poverty among their members. Secondly, churches should shift from charity work to development.

scholarly journals Urban Mission

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ardianto Lahagu
Keyword(s):  
Social Inequality ◽  
Economic Inequality ◽  
Word Of God ◽  
Urban Mission ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Village ◽  
The City ◽  
The Church ◽  
Very High

The city side is often incomprehensible where there can be both grandeur and deterioration in life. Inadequate life, very high social inequality, and economic inequality make the rich getting richer and the poor worse off in poverty. When faced with a mission, often people think of a field in a remote area and alienated people, people who do not know outside life, people who are primitive, who are not educated, and people who have never heard the truth The word of God. Mission can not only be done in a remote village or area, but in a life that is not far away, many people who need the Truth, who are thirsty for the Word of God, those who are poor, abandoned, who do not have a decent living and do not believe, but it is often unthinkable by the church. So the mission is not only in the village but around the church itself many people need to be served. God has prepared many fields to cultivate and harvest, just how can those who believe even those who have been called respond?

scholarly journals Vatikan II setelah 50 Tahun: Quo Vadimus

MELINTAS ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Fabianus Sebastian Heatubun
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Catholic Church ◽  
Vatican Ii ◽  
Kingdom Of God ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Vatican Council ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Catholic Church

Pope Francis’s statement “I am the Vatican II” sounds a manifesto. To which direction is the wind blowing the Church’s ark, we might have already guessed. The existing dichotomy between the liberal and the conservative as well as the tension between the primacies of the pastoral and the dogmatic will yet be conflicting and colliding with each other. After 50 years, the 2nd Vatican Council and the ongoing future discussions about the basic pastoral directions within the Catholicism are to this day white-hot. The Pope could be anyone. But theologians, for these are who make the <em>lineamenta</em> of a new document, will continue to colour the trend of the Church in giving responses to the signs of the time. The future of Catholicism will not be viewed as limited as the lens of the Vatican II. The future humanism will challenge the Church with wider and more complex considerations rather than dwelling on the problems of dialogue with other religions apologetically or racketing with traditionalism, liberalism, and sekularism. There are pressing matters such as ecology, global warming, terrorism, and the sprawling gap between the poor and the rich. Macro-ethics has become more imperative than micro-ethics. The Catholic Church is called out to create “a better world for all” – the Kingdom of God that is inclusive and at a stroke pluralistic.<br /><br />

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