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Toward a Biblical Model of Culturally Appropriate Persuasion for the Evangelistic Mission of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Imo State, Nigeria

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Toward a Biblical Model of Culturally Appropriate Persuasion for the Evangelistic Mission of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Imo State, Nigeria Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 2014 Toward a Biblical Model of Culturally Appropriate Persuasion for the Evangelistic Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Imo State, Nigeria Aloysius Ntiwunka Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Missions and World Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Ntiwunka, Aloysius, "Toward a Biblical Model of Culturally Appropriate Persuasion for the Evangelistic Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Imo State, Nigeria" (2014). Dissertation Projects DMin. 92. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/92 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. ABSTRACT TOWARD A BIBLICAL MODEL OF CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE PERSUASION FOR THE EVANGELISTIC MISSION OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA by Aloysius Ntiwunka Adviser: Jeanette Bryson ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Project Document Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: TOWARD A BIBLICAL MODEL OF CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE PERSUASION FOR THE EVANGELISTIC MISSION OF THE SEVENTH- DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA Name of researcher: Aloysius Ntiwunka Name and degree of faculty adviser: Jeanette Bryson, PhD Date completed: February 2014 Problem The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a worldwide denomination, but it is one of the smallest in Imo State, Nigeria, even though 90% of the population is Christian, Protestant and Catholic, with only 2% Muslim. Since most of the population of Imo State is Christian, the common belief in God should open the opportunity to present the unique teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; namely, the message of the Three Angels of Revelation. However, numerous approaches to evangelism do not seem to have been successful in producing changes in the lives of the citizens. Method This project document followed a descriptive research method and includes a review of literature related to persuasion, a presentation of the historical context of cultural persuasion in Imo State, Nigeria, and a study of models, procedures, and principles involved in incorporating a biblical model of persuasion, followed by a model developed specifically for Imo State. Projected Results Based on a biblical model of ministry to meet the needs of the community, holistic methods will be incorporated into outreach, such as a food pantry, health lectures, and home visits. The hope is that Seventh-day Adventists living in Imo State, Nigeria can learn to persuade others of their authentic faith in God and the message of the Three Angels of Revelation. Conclusions Christian outreach often involves coercion, a compliance-gaining approach. Forceful persuasive strategies can be replaced with a biblical model of persuasion, even though coercive strategies are still being used globally, as well as by the leaders of Imo State, Nigeria. An article published by Scalia (Scalia, 2012) suggests that evangelism is meant to persuade and not provoke. It is thought that a biblical model of persuasion will change the declining growth pattern. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary TOWARD A BIBLICAL MODEL OF CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE PERSUASION FOR THE EVANGELISTIC MISSION OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA A Project Document Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Aloysius Ntiwunka February 2014 © Copyright by Aloysius Ntiwunka 2014 All Rights Reserved TOWARD A BIBLICAL MODEL OF CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE PERSUASION FOR THE EVANGELISTIC MISSION OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA A project document presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Aloysius Ntiwunka APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: _______________________________ _________________________________ Adviser, Director, DMin Program Jeanette Bryson Skip Bell _______________________________ _________________________________ Donald James Dean, SDA Theological Seminary Jiří Moskala _______________________________ _________________________________ Boubakar Sanou Date approved TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................... vii LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................... viii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 1 Historical Context of Cultural Persuasion in Nigeria .......................... 2 The Nature and Practice of Persuasion in Nigerian Society ................ 3 Statement of Problem ........................................................................... 4 Statement of the Task........................................................................... 5 Justification for the Project .................................................................. 5 Expectations of the Project .................................................................. 6 Limitations ........................................................................................... 7 List of Acronyms ................................................................................. 7 Description of the Project Process ....................................................... 7 2. THE PERSONAL, THEOLOGICAL, AND SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION FOR MINISTRY ............................................................. 9 Introduction .......................................................................................... 9 Personal Profile .................................................................................... 9 Life Journey ......................................................................................... 9 Culture............................................................................................ 10 Call ................................................................................................. 10 Community .................................................................................... 16 Communion.................................................................................... 17 Conflicts ......................................................................................... 18 Commonplace ................................................................................ 19 Theological Foundation of Biblical Model of Persuasion in the Old Testament ................................................................................ 20 The Reason God Established a Relationship With humanity ........ 21 Word of Admonition, Rebuke and Reprove as Persuasive in the Old Testament ................................................................ 22 Expression of God’s Love Through Covenantal Agreement ......... 24 Theological Foundation of Biblical Model of Persuasion in the iii New Testament .............................................................................. 27 Christ’s Model of Persuasion ......................................................... 27 Jesus was Compassionate .............................................................. 29 The Teaching and Preaching Excellence of Jesus ......................... 31 Christ’s Gentility Made a Great Impact on His Audience ............. 32 Story Telling and Other Examples of Christ’s Method of Persuasion .............................................................. 33 Use of Rhetorical Questions .......................................................... 36 Theological Foundation of Biblical Model of Persuasion in the New Testament: Early Christian Church ....................................... 36 John’s Model of Biblical Persuasion ............................................. 37 Paul’s Model of Biblical Persuasion .............................................. 38 Paul’s Model of Re-visitation is Worth Emulating.................. 39 Use of Rhetorical Questions .................................................... 40 Giving Thanks to God in All Circumstances (1 Thess 5:18) .......................................................................... 42 The use of the Word Logos .................................................................. 43 Ellen White Comments on Persuasion Leading to Conversion ........... 44 Summary .............................................................................................. 46 3. THE LITERATURE REVIEW......................................................................... 48 Introduction .......................................................................................... 48 The Historical, Culture, and Religious Background of Imo State in Nigeria ....................................................................................... 48 History of Imo State
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