Browsing by Author "Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale"

Now showing 1 - 14 of 14
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    The Abuse of Pastoral Authority in Some Churches in Nigeria Today
    (Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies, 2013) Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale
    This paper is a study of the role that spiritual leaders are to play in the lives of believers and the extent to which Christian religious leaders have abused authority invested into their hands over the years. Authority which is a vital subject for churches today has also become controversial among Bible believers and churches have been torn apart. This old time deception has dogged the footsteps of the old time religion. The major findings were that: Religion or belief that should help man to deal with problems of human life that are significant, persistent, and intolerable has now become the sole problem man is having. Instead of finding fulfillment in the household of the faith, members become bound by fear, frustration, indoctrination, and manipulative mind control that have made their pursuit of God an endless drudgery punctuated by a driven and legalistic lifestyle. Churches should be sanctuaries not prisons. Faith should be the ultimate freedom not the ultimate trap. Throughout this paper, researcher discussed abuse of pastoral authority largely in the biblical context. Therefore, the abusive practices and principles we traced was limited to Christianity.
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    The Colossian Heresy and Its Implications for the 21st Century Church in Nigeria
    (The Department of Religious Studies, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria, 2015) Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale
    The Bible does not define the heresies in the Colossian Church. The author of the book took it for granted and thus biblical scholars over centuries have been thrown into the sea of endless search for what the heresies are. This is because of the way they understand the problem at Colossae and the way they interpret Paul’s admonitions. The purpose of this paper is to unearth the heresy and its implication on the present day church in Nigeria. In this work, analytical and sociological methods were used and data were gathered through secondary and internet sources in order to achieve the set objectives. This paper found out that these doctrinal errors grew out of a mixture of Judaistic teaching, combined with the whims of oriental and philosophic speculation. Consequent upon that, the paper also found out that in Christ there is freedom. Since the danger of being “taken captive” by the same heresy that was threatening the Colossians is as real today as it was in first century Colossae, the author therefore recommends that the church should contend for her faith.
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    A Comparative Study of Yoruba and Biblical Concept of Children Upbringing
    (The Department of Linguistics & Nigerian Languages, University of Ilorin, 2015) Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale
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    ESCHATOLOGICAL SALVATION IN HEBREWS 1:5-2:5
    (The Department of Religions, University of Ilorin, 2013) Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale; Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale
    Salvation which is an indispensable element in all religions, is provided in one way in both OT and NT, and also rooted in grace, faith and sacrifice. This same salvation has past, present and future dimensions. The eschatology which is from two Greek words- and  means a study of last things which future aspect of salvation addresses. Methodologies adopted in this paper were historical and exegetical. The historical method was used in order to reconstruct the past both in biblical times and in the 21st century Church. The exegetical method was for a comprehensive examination of both the content and the context to enhance better interpretation of the relevant text. Data were gathered through secondary sources in which consultations were made through published works and the internet. It has been established in this paper that eschatology is essential to salvation and that without the completion or consummation of the eschatological prophesies salvation is not complete. By implication therefore, Christians are warned against loosing the future salvation by a careless inattention to the contexts of Hebrews 9:28 or practice in daily life, a text which focuses both on Christ’s death and return. Therefore, the eschatological connection with salvation is incontrovertible
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    An Exegetical Interpretation of the Greek Language in 2 Timothy 2:15 with Reference to Σπουδάζω (Study
    (The Department of Linguistics & Nigerian Languages, University of Ilorin, 2013) Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale
    Σπουδάζω as used by Pau in 2 Timothy 2:15 has been variously translated by biblical interpreters. Therefore through lexico-semantics analysis which reveals , its root-words and word-stems and the various possible semantic categories created by the human mind, this paper claims that this word "study" in this passage does not mean to pursue knowledge by reading. Rather, it is the Greek verb "σπουδάζω," which means "make haste...to exert oneself, endeavour, and give difference". It involves much more than just taking in knowledge. This verb which is in the second person singular aorist imperative mood refers to Timothy, the primary recipient of the Epistle. It can be safely classified as cohortative as this strongly suggests and expresses a positive and direct command. It should be understood as the gnomic kind, which states a general timeless fact or principle. As a direct command, it must be binding on all Biblical scholarss as any other command in the Scripture. As a general principle it should be observed as any other Bible principle. Therefore, a principle which is also being directly commanded is doubly binding. The idea of gnomic aorist suggests a general principle. Here in this verse is a general and also a guiding principle for believers in Christ.
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    An Exegetical Interpretation of Ἀπολύτρωσις in Eph.1:7 and its Implication for the Contemporary Church in Nigeria
    (The Department of Religious Studies, (Christian Studies unit) Faculty of Humanities, Management and Social Science, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria, 2019) Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale
    Redemption is from the word which means literally “to buy back”. The term λύτρω and ἀπολύτρωσις, meaning to redeem and redemption respectively, were used by the ancient Greeks and also by the New Testament writers, to signify the act of setting a captive free through the payment of a λυτρον or redemptive price. The term therefore came to be used in a broader sense of a deliverance from every kind of evil, through a price paid by another. The purpose of this paper is to unearth the ἀπολύτρωσις and its implication on the present day church in Nigeria. Therefore, through lexico-semantics analysis which reveals, its root-words and word-stems and the various possible semantic categories created by the human mind. This paper claims that λύτρω; περιποιέω; ἀγοράζω and ἐξαγοράζω , are different terms that emphasized different aspect of redemption
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    Holy Spirit (Παράκλητος) in John 16:7-11: A Panacea for Security and National Development in Nigeria
    (The Nigerian Association for the Study of Religions, 2020) Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale
    Security and National Development go together simultaneously. Without adequate security, nation cannot develop. It is however demoralizing that despite various security measures put in place to tackle the problem of insecurity, Nigeria is yet to be free from recurrent cases of kidnapping, hired assassination, ethnic and religious clashes, Armed robbery, Boko-haram insurgency, and other practical difficulties which hassle the nation as a whole. These social problems have threatened the survival of the Nigerian nation. This, in turn, has not improv ed the quality of the standard of living of the people within the society. The objective of the paper was to re-examine the issue of security and national development from Christian perspective using Παράκλητος as a panacea. Methodologies adopted were historical, sociological and exegetical. The paper found out that to get victory at all cost in spite of all terror and challenges of insecurity in Nigeria, we need Παράκλητος; which means, counselor, a comforter, an advocate, or a go-between; someone who comes alongside to give help, encouragement, strength or counsel.
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    Hypostatic Union of Christ in Hebrews 2:14-18 and Its Significance To Christians
    (The Department of Religion and African Culture, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, 2016) Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale
    Much consideration and concentration has been on the birth and death of Christ as if they were the paramount issues about Christ. Little knowledge has been gleaned on who Christ was and still remains when he was on earth which is behind all his achievement. The objective of this paper therefore, is to insist that Christ had the two natures one and at the same time which is called hypostatic union. In other to achieve the set goal, both historical, sociological and exegetical methods were used, and data were gathered through secondary source. The researcher found out that Jesus has two complete natures—one fully human and one fully divine and that these two natures are united in one person in the God-man. Jesus is not two persons. He is one person. The hypostatic union is the joining of the divine and the human in the one person of Jesus, and that the union is significant for man’s salvation. The paper finally recommends that both natures are without confusion, without change, without division, and without separation, and should be seen as of equal importance and as the background of all that Jesus was and did.
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    Relevance of the “Εγώ εἰμι” Sayings of Jesus in John’s Gospel to the Contemporary Church in Nigeria
    (The Department of Religions, University of Ilorin, 2017) Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale
    “Εγώ εἰμι” phrases in the Gospel of John have been variously translated among the biblical scholars. The objective of the paper therefore, is to unearth the Εγώ εἰμι sayings of Jesus that represent a particular relationship of Jesus to the spiritual needs of humans: the bread that gives eternal life; their light in darkness, their entrance into security and fellowship, their guide and protector in life, their hope in death, their certainty in perplexity, and their source of vitality for productiveness. The methodologies used were exegetical and historical and sociological. Data were gathered through secondary and internet sources. Therefore through lexico-semantics analysis which reveals, its root-words and word-stems and the various possible semantic categories created by the human mind, this paper claims that in these phrases, Jesus used everyday physical things to illustrate deep spiritual truths about himself. The paper contends that the church cannot claim ignorant of Jesus and his work to the world of which He came to save. Neither can she give excuse whatsoever of her failure or fruitlessness.
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    Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth in 2 Timothy 2:15 and its Theological Implication for the Contemporary Church
    (The Department of Religion and African Culture, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, 2018) Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale
    The church is divided into two: the part that has correct understanding of what theology means and the part that gets ‘threatened’ at the mere mention of theology and feels theology has not gotten a space in the church. The objectives of this paper were to examine the importance of rightly dividing the word of truth ὀθοτομοῦντα τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας, and to reestablish its theological implication for contemporary church. Exegetical, historical and sociological methods were used. The paper found out that rightly dividing ὀρθοτομοῦντα as used by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:15 has a verbal function which is to participate in the action of the main verb ‘be diligent’, Σπούδασον and rightly dividing, Ὀρθοτομοῦντα is the participle. Hence, the idea being brought out is: as we diligently seek to be approved of God we must rightly divide the Word of Truth. Therefore rightly dividing Ὀρθοτομοῦντα should be understood as the gnomic kind, which states a general timeless fact or principle. As a direct command: it must be binding on the church as any other command in the Scripture.
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    Roles of Food and Nutrition on The Health of The 21st Century Pastors In Nigeria
    (The Faculty of Arts, University of Ilorin, 2015) Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale
    The study examined the roles of food and nutrition on the health of the 21st Century Pastors in Nigeria. Food primarily is essential for existence. Food, just like air, water, shelter and clothes is necessary for life. But food is not only good when eaten by people, but it is also one of the greatest pleasures of life. However, it is not merely a source of physical sustenance and pleasure; also it is fundamental to many other aspects of lives. The ministry of a pastor is a very sensitive one that involves wholeness in every aspect of life. Therefore, in order to achieve the set goal, historical and sociological methods were adopted and data were gathered through primary, secondary and internet sources. This paper found out that a large number of individuals suffering from diseases relating to unhealthy lifestyles of sedentary and poor nutritional habit such as dehydration, peptic ulcer and diabetes mellitus which are brought to the body through malnutrition and nutritional deficiency which revolve round foods as such, Foods Pastors eat therefore serve as their medicine. They play important roles in their maintenance of good health thereby enhancing the physical, spiritual, psychological and biological development of pastors.
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    Significance of Mountain Prayer in Biblical Narrative with Reference to Matt.17:1-5
    (Langaa Research &Publishing Common Initiative Group Mankon, Bamenda North West Region, Cameroon, 2018) Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale
    Security and National Development go together simultaneously. Without adequate security, nation cannot develop. It is however demoralizing that despite various security measures put in place to tackle the problem of insecurity, Nigeria is yet to be free from recurrent cases of kidnapping, hired assassination, ethnic and religious clashes, Armed robbery, Boko-haram insurgency, and other practical difficulties which hassle the nation as a whole. These social problems have threatened the survival of the Nigerian nation. This, in turn, has not improv ed the quality of the standard of living of the people within the society. The objective of the paper was to re-examine the issue of security and national development from Christian perspective using Παράκλητος as a panacea. Methodologies adopted were historical, sociological and exegetical. The paper found out that to get victory at all cost in spite of all terror and challenges of insecurity in Nigeria, we need Παράκλητος; which means, counselor, a comforter, an advocate, or a go-between; someone who comes alongside to give help, encouragement, strength or counsel.
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    Sound Health (ὑγιαίνω) In 3John 2 and Its Implications for The 21st Century Pastors In Nigeria
    (The Faculty of Arts, Benue State University, Makurdi, 2016) Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale
    In recent times, death rate of the gospel preachers has been reduced. There have been seminars, conferences; panel discussions and symposia on health talk both at local, national and international levels. 3 John 2 appears to be one of such health talk too in which it uses a Hellenistic epistolary greeting to Gaius “…be in sound health.” Methodologies adopted in this paper were historical, exegetical and sociological. Data were gathered through primary and secondary sources in which selected church leaders were interviewed, related works were consulted and internet source was also used. It has been established in this paper that poverty as well as illiteracy have negative effects on the health of pastors .The Bible talks about the health of both the soul as well as body, and that bodily and spiritual health complement each other. It is in this regard that the Greek word “ὑγιαίνω” through lexico-semantic analysis refers to "soundness" in faith, in charity, in patience, or doctrine. Here in the context of 3John 1:2 (ὑγιαίνω) refers to physical health. It means to be sound, to be well and to be in good health respectively.
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    Superiority of Christ over Angels: A Non-Controversial Issue
    (The Department of History & and International Studies, Kogi State University, 2014) Oyetade, Michael Oyebowale
    The ministry of angels is one of the common things in the biblical literatures. Most especially, “Guardian angels” is a common expression often use quite seriously and sincerely. Their multiple activities on earth have a number of facets. They often act as intermediaries between the people and their God. As a result of this knowledge, many err theologically so much so that the position of angels has being placed over and above Jesus Christ. The purpose of this paper therefore is to unearth the superiority of Christ over angels. In other to achieve the set objectives exegetical, historical and sociological methods were used. Data were also gathered through secondary and internet sources. The paper found out that despite the divine functions performed by angels, Jesus Christ is still the only absolute mediator between God and man.