The Christian Perspective on Worldly Practices in 21st Century Nigeria

Worldly practices, in Christian thought, would mean acts considered inappropriate, in that they suck Christians in by things that are harmful to their spiritual lives or cause another to stumble. This challenge is exacerbated by globalization and explains the paradox and dilemma of Christians in the rapidly advancing world. It is this that this chapter investigates in 21st century Nigeria. The work aims at situating Christians as responsible members of the global community freely expressing their fundamental human rights without infringing on the right of others. To achieve this, the chapter utilizes the phenomenological and sociological methods. The chapter discovers that most Nigerians hinging on the freedom platforms provided by the exercise of fundamental human rights show great preference for worldly practices, which is at variance with normal regulations of religion. The chapter recommends a synergetic approach of major faiths in Nigeria for an articulation of moral/spiritual codes, adopted from existing ethical windows for a fresh national moral rebirth and cohesion.

IMPACT MICROFINANCE CREDIT ACCESS TO IMPROVE HOUSEHOLD WELFARE : EVIDENCE LONGITUDINAL DATA

Evidence on microfinance services these days ironically shows a great preference for savings products rather than credit products by households. For some authors, this phenomenon is explained by the fact that microfinance products, and especially loans, from formal microfinance institutions do not fit the households demand. This paper first presents evidence on the observed phenomenon in Indonesia microfinance sector. Second, it analyses the Indonesia credit market so as to understand the determinants of the choice for credits from formal sources versus informal sources. The results reveal the size of the loan, agricultural purpose, the geographical area where households live and ethnicity as factors influencing the choice for formal sources. Keywords : microfinance Credit access,household

The rigid body dynamics of unidirectional spin

A toy consists of a boat-shaped body showing great preference for spin in one direction only. Its sophisticated rigid body dynamics is examined in some detail, and fully accounts for this curious behaviour.

Plutarch's Style in the Marius

In writing on Plutarch as a literary artist there is a tendency to confuse Plutarch's personality, which appears from his writings as ingenuous and somewhat naïve, with his style, which has all the sophistication of the classical renaissance of which his writings form a part. Actually, extensive acquaintance with many aspects of literary craftsmanship is visible in his work. His careful avoidance of hiatus was noticed as long ago as 1841 by Benseler. More recently it has been discovered that Plutarch writes rhythmical prose, with a great preference for certain definite forms. He is thoroughly versed in the various schemata for the presentation of material. Boissonade termed his style a mosaic because it is so well adapted for dealing with the various themes occurring in theLives;Plutarch has in fact perfect command over matter and form as a result of a thorough acquaintance with a rich literary tradition.The metaphors and similes which appear in thisLifeseem on a first reading in ill accord with the sophistication of its general craftsmanship. They are stereotyped into the thought-content, and even the diction, traditional for the symbolism they express. Their infrequency and the elaboration of the metaphors in particular makes them stand out starkly. This conspicuousness and careful articulation is significant. The metaphors and similes are in fact strikingly put so that they emphasise the passages in which they occur, and recall one another vividly to mind. Analysis reveals that they are used in two ways: as points of reference and emphasis (they occur only at important junctures) and to indicate the unity of lengthy passages. Long and elaborate metaphors occur at 11.1, 35.1, and 46.4, marking respectively the Germanic war, the civil war, and Marius' fate and death. A metaphor and simile grouped together, at 23.1 and at 32.1, 3 respectively, tell of Catulus' reverse and the Social War; two similes commence the developments which are to lead to Marius' death at 45.1–2. Less striking metaphors anticipate the civil war (10.5) and the Marian massacre (43.4).