A Strategy to moderate the Belief in Immortality of the Soul in Apu-Ekpu District

Abstract

The state of the dead and human perception and relationship with the dead has been subjects of study among many biblical scholars within certain societies. The position one takes largely depends on one’s persuasion. Among the Seventh-day Adventists, it is believed that the dead are unconscious and incapable of relating with humans for whatever purpose. However, certain cultural practices among the Seventh-day Adventists in Apu-Na-Ekpu seem not to conform with biblical belief as understood and taught by the Adventist Church. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to form a plan (strategy) involving a designed programme that will be used to moderate the spiritual problem prevailing among church members in Apu-Na-Ekpu District as a result of their traditional belief in immortality of the soul.Traditional belief in this sense implies the natural teaching they have understood and accepted as truth based on culture. This is how many of them saw things from birth. And immortality in our study implies that those who died are not really dead. To them the principal aspect of life- mkpuru-obi (the soul) - does not actually die but lives on after death.The Apu-Na-Ekpu District of Seventh-day Adventists has a baptized membership of 524. However, a sample population of 150, to whom questionnaires were distributed, were used for this study. A total of 147 questionnaires were properly completed and returned. The survey indicated that there are divergent views among the members on the state of the dead. Further, it was also revealed by the study that some of the members in the District are involved in one way or the other and it is affecting their spirituality and witnessing in the locality. In conclusion the study the designed a programme which was implemented and the result shows significant changes in the members ’ understanding of the state of the dead and how they may relate to them. Further the programme designed enhanced the spiritual life of many and they have abandoned the practices inherent in that belief especially as it concerns burial of the dead. Therefore, this researcher recommends that pastors should train lay people to be giving doctrinal enlightenment to the members through Bible studies and thereby curtail their inclination to that tradition and pastors themselves should regularly the fundamental belief on the state of the dead enabling the members to know that the dead knows nothing. Further, members found guilty of involvement in the traditional belief and its practices should be disciplined. Finally, further studies on this research should be done by the Aba North Conference (ANC) in order to expose and curtail the diabolical dangers that our members involve themselves through that belief and its practices.