CHRISTIANITY OF CHRISTIANS: An Exegetical Interpretation of Matt. 5:13-16 And its Challenges to Christians in Nigerian Context. ANTHONY I. EZEOGAMBA Copyright © Anthony I. Ezeogamba Published September 2019 All Rights Reserved: No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission from the copyright owner. ISBN: 978 – 978 – 978 – 115 – 7 Printed and Published by FIDES MEDIA LTD. 27 Archbishop A.K. Obiefuna Retreat/Pastoral Centre Road, Nodu Okpuno, Awka South L.G.A., Anambra State, Nigeria (+234) 817 020 4414, (+234) 803 879 4472, (+234) 909 320 9690 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fidesnigeria.com, www.fidesnigeria.org ii DEDICATION This Book is dedicated to my dearest mother, MADAM JUSTINA NKENYERE EZEOGAMBA in commemoration of what she did in my life and that of my siblings. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I wish to acknowledge the handiwork of God in my life who is the author of my being. I am grateful to Most Rev. Dr. S.A. Okafor, late Bishop of Awka diocese who gave me the opportunity to study in Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) where I was armed to write this type of book. I appreciate the fatherly role of Bishop Paulinus C. Ezeokafor, the incumbent Bishop of Awka diocese together with his Auxiliary, Most Rev. Dr. Jonas Benson Okoye. My heartfelt gratitude goes also to Bishop Peter Ebele Okpalaeke for his positive influence in my spiritual life. I am greatly indebted to my chief mentor when I was a student priest in CIWA and even now, Most Rev. Dr. Camillus Umoh, Catholic Bishop of Ikot Ekpene Diocese. Indeed, it was his tactful and gentle corrections in those days that made this book a reality. It is not also possible to forget the erudite touches I received in life from Rev. Fr. Prof. E. Nwaoru who was also my HOD in the Biblical Department when I was a student in CIWA. I am also highly indebted to Rev. Fr. Prof. Luke Ijezie for the role he played in my life when I was being formed in CIWA. I recognise the motherly role played in my life by Rev. Sr. Professor Teresa Okure, SHCJ who was during my last year in CIWA the immediate past Academic Dean of CIWA and immediate past HOD of Biblical Theology Department. I thank also Rev. Fr. Prof. F. Nwaigbo and Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Umoren for all their directions with regard to my graduation from CIWA. I will not forget my dearest mother, Mrs Justina Ezeogamba, the families of my brothers (Emmanuel, John and Peter) and sisters (Carol and Chinyere); and my late father, Nze Charles iv Ezeogamba, may his gentle soul rest in perfect peace Amen. I will not fell to thank Srs Chiazokam Ezeorah and Chijiudo Mbaji. I thank all priests from Achina especially Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Dim for the light with which they have been directing me. I will not forget my friends and senior colleagues in the priestly ministry especially Frs Christopher Okoli, Joel Okechukwu, Hilary Ezenwa, Chinedu Ezennabude, Anthony Akabogu, Emmanuel Okpalauwaekwe, John Umeorjiakor, Francis Ezenezi, Anthony Umeh, Luke Okoye, Raphael Agbanu and numerous others. I remember the goodness I shared with the following during my stay in CIWA, Port Harcourt: Chief & Lolo C.U Mbaji, Sir and Lady Obiano KSJ, Sir and Lady Dr. Ben Okpala, Mr & Mrs Chubby Ezenwa, Mr. & Mrs Goddy Njoku, Mr. & Mrs Chika Umegekwe, Mr. & Mrs C.C. Ejimofor, Mr. & Mrs Iwunze, Mr. & Mrs Ekwommadu, Chief Archbong, Chief Ikeolisa, Sir and Lady Nwanaekezie, Madam Erika, Mr & Mrs Chinenye and host of others. Finally, I am highly indebted to all my senior colleagues and mentors in my department namely Msgr. Prof. J.P.C. Nzomiwu, Prof. J.E. Madu, Fr. Prof. A.B.C. Chiegboka, Fr. Prof. C.A. Omeike as well as Rev. Sr. Prof. M.N.E Ezeh, and numerous other friends and well wishers. I thank God for you all; may God grant you all your deepest heart‟s desires. Amen. Ezeogamba, I. Anthony. v FORWARD The existence and furtherance of Christianity in Nigeria are threatened and hampered today more than ever. The threat from Islamic Jihad by Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsmen is worrisome. But more worrisome are shallow and lukewarm Christianity of Christians. Those are what threaten the existence and furtherance of Christianity most today. Shallow and lukewarm Christianity are expressive of Christianity that is not deeply rooted, that has no taproot, or that has no solid foundation. And like a house built upon sand easily collapses in the face of anything, even wind, that comes against it, so does shallow or lukewarm Christianity fizzle out in the face of any threat that comes against it. Shallow and lukewarm Christianity leave no appreciable impact in society. In the face of endemic corruption, bad leadership, lack of value for human life, materialism, greed, covetousness, worldly pleasure, etc. prevalent in Nigeria, one wonders what impact Christians are making in the country. Jesus enjoined his followers to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven (Matt. 5:16). St. James says that faith without good works is dead (James 2:14-26). The Christian good works consist in living out the Christian principles and being truly Christian in season and out of season. This book, Christianity of Christians: An Exegetical Interpretation of Matt. 5:13-16 and its Challenges to Christians in Nigerian Context, is the author‟s academic and scholarly investigation into the bible and into the life of Christians in Nigeria to know what being Christian really means and whether the life of Christians in Nigeria is in consonant with vi that or not respectively. What he sets out to do in the book is well captured in the title of the book. The word „Christianity‟ as employed in the title calls to mind the „ought‟ and the „is‟. It calls to mind the „ought‟ of Christianity as prescriptively stated in Matt. 5:13-16 and as interpreted and understood. That is, it calls to mind what being Christian really means or what a Christian really ought to be. It also calls to mind the Christianity of Christians in Nigeria; that is, the actual living out or otherwise of their Christian vocation by Christians in Nigeria. Exegesis is a specialized discipline with technicalities that are in most cases neither fully meaningful to nor fully understood by the non-exeget. The author is able to satisfy his fellow exegets by the quality exegesis he carried out in the work as well as satisfy his non-exeget readers by simplifying most of the technicalities. The fruit of his exegesis derives more from the metaphor of salt and light in Matt. 5:13-16. He uses the fruits of his exegesis to establish what Christ expects his followers – the Christians – to be. He also uses them to establish the extent to which Christians in Nigeria are truly Christians and the extent they are not. The book demonstrates the qualities of a good research work; it digs out more knowledge about the subject than previously known. What the book makes known about the objects or themes of Salt and Light shows that our knowledge of same is either inadequate, insufficient or no knowledge at all. The book, therefore, offers every one that reads it both the exeget and the non-exeget richer understanding of what it means to be salt and light in a way that invites and disposes the reader to strive to salt and light. vii The book is both salt and light to the subjects and themes of Salt and Light. It is light because it has enlightened our understanding of the metaphorical use of salt and light in Matt. 5:13-16. It is also salt because it has made the call to be salt and light to be appetizing and appealing to us. A reading will convince you. This book has my highest commendation and recommendation to every Christian, both the minister and the ministered, the lecturer and the student. Rev. Fr. Stephen C. Egwim, Ph.D. Lecturer, Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri. Old Testament Exegesis. viii ABSTRACT Matt. 5:13-16 is significant in the understanding of the Sermon on the Mount. It forms a transition from identifying those who are to live according to the demands of the Sermon on the Mount in the present (5:17-7:27) and those who will live the life of blessedness in the future (5:3-12). In this transitional passage, the audience is metaphorically identified as “The salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” Using these metaphors to describe the audience draws attention to their usage in normal life situations. Equally, the metaphorical understanding of these elements both in biblical and social parlance is instructive. For instance, salt is a sign of covenant while light is a sign of orderliness and progress. Salt must lose its physical qualities before its preservative and flavouring effects could be noticed. In the same way, candle as source of light degenerates gradually as it gives its light till it burns itself out for the good of others. So when Jesus uses “salt” and “light” to refer to his disciples he means that they are to be to humanity what salt and light are. He urged his followers to become the salt and the light in the world that is hostile to God, lost in sin, ruined, and even depraved.