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  The Use of the concept and the need for sacrifice in Yoruba traditional religion to formulate contextual theology on sacrifice in biblical atonement

  (Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, 2007-01) Olanrewaju, Joseph Adeyinka

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  This dissertation explores how the concept of sacrifice in Yoruba Traditional Religion (YTR) can be used to formulate contextual theology on biblical atonement. It employs the method of critical contextualization proposed by Paul Hilbert. The study shows the relevance of YTR and the elements of belief on sacrifice relevant to both Yoruba and biblical atonement. It also identifies the elements in YTR having similarities with certain biblical teachings: namely, (1) substitution, focusing on deliverance from transferable death in YTR and eternal death in biblical teaching; (2) propitiation, emphasing the freedom from the wrath of higher beings; (3) victory, emphasizing the Orisa's victory over the Ajogun in YTR and Christ's victory over Satan; (4) supreme sacrifice in YTR, reflecting the uniqueness of Christ's sacrifice in the blblical teaching; (5) communion, emphasizing fellowship in both YTR and in the biblical teaching; and (6) prayer, as a means of communication with higher beings in both YTR and the biblical teaching. The study also identifies the erements in YTR which are opposed to biblical teaching such as (1) sacrificing to the spirits, and (2) the sacrificing of unclean animals. While non-compatible elements in YTR were considered unsuitable for contextual theology, compatible elements have been used on atonement in the Yoruba context as follows: 1. The biblicaI idea of substitution is taught, by using incurable sickness in YTR as a metaphor for sin and transferable death in YTR as a reflection of eternal death borne and overcome by Chrlst's substitutionary death. 2. The biblical idea of propitiation is taught, by showing the wrath of the Yoruba divinities as a dim reflection of God's legitimate displeasure against sin, but which is averted by Christ's propitiatory death. 3. The biblical idea of victory is taught, by showing the Orisa's victory over the Ajogun. This is a reflection of the victory of Christ over Satan, resulting in an authentic and lasting victory over demons 4. Lastly, the biblical idea of the sufficient once-for-all-sacrifice of Christ is taught, by using the idea of a supreme sacrifice in YTR as a reflection of the uniqueness of Christ's sacrifice, which affords man the benefits of atonement, communion and prayer.

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  Proposed guidelines for developing more effective mission strategies to reach Indo-Fijians in Fiji-Islands

  (Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, 2007-10) Masih, Romina Lata

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  The questions posed in this research are as follows: (1) What are the biblical teachings related to the mission strategy to reach out to the ethnic groups? (2) What cultural elements should be considered to develop the mission strategy of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to reach out to the IndoFijians? (3) To what extent have the mission strategies of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fiji islands been developed in the culturally relevant manner in order to reach out to the Indo-Fijian group in terms of the message, the messenger, the methodology of evangelism, and the knowledge of church members about their mission target? (4) What missionstrategy could be improved biblically and in the culturally relevant manner to reach out to the Indo-Fijians? After detailed study, it was discovered that any strategy to reach out to the Indo-Fijians with the Gospel must consider their cultural background as well as their specific needs. The analysis of the strategies followed by the Seventh-day Adventists lead research to conclude that some of their mission approaches to the Indo-Fijians have not been relevant to their culture. The effectivity of their efforts was in direct relationship to their cultural sensitivity, and understanding of their needs. An evaluation of different approaches to the Indo-Fijians leads this research to highlight that any missionary effort or evangelistic strategy must recognize the religious factor as an integral part of the cultural difference. The evangelistic strategies must not aim to change cultures, but to present the Gospel in such a way that Indo-Fijians be persuaded to become the citizens of the kingdom of God.

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