| dc.description.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. | en_US |
