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Between Traditions, Culture And Religious Beliefs

By OMIKO AWA, ISAAC TAIWO and PAUL ADUNWOKE
04 October 2015   |   2:50 am
IT is a fact that Africans deeply cherish their cultures in which they were immersed before the advent of Christianity. Many Africans that embraced the new belief have found that it is pretty difficult for them to draw a line between their cultures, which give them an identity as a people

 

Moji

Moji

‘Christians Should Measure Their Deeds According To Jesus Christ’s Standard’
(Moji Solanke, Media Representative of Christian Science Church in Nigeria.)
FOR the Christians, God must be supreme in their motives, aims and affections. Therefore, a Christian should measure all his/her deeds, especially thoughts, according to the standard of Christ Jesus. Tradition or culture, like education for example, is not in and of itself unchristian or evil. However, it behoves the Christian, when deciding to participate in traditional festivals, to ensure that such activity does not grieve the Holy Spirit, contrary to Jesus’ teachings and does not dishonour God. James 4: 17 is instructive ‘Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.’

God defines what is good and right. His goodness is unchanging through the ages and He is immutably right. It is the infallibility of God, not tradition, which holds society together, because humanly, what was acceptable in the past may now be anathema. Christ Jesus, a Jew, upheld Jewish traditions, but he was the Son of God first. And while He enjoins Christians to render to Ceaser what is Ceaser’s, the Master did nothing that conflicted with the Word of God. For example, Jesus kept the Sabbath holy, in line with the fourth commandment, but did not hesitate to heal on the Sabbath Day (Mark 3:2-4; Luke 14:13-16). Jesus’ example must be the yardstick for Christians.

‘Be Involved In Progressive, Necessary Activities That Are Not Against God’s Word’
(Rev. Gabriel Agbo is of the Assemblies of God.)
THERE is nothing wrong with a Christian participating in traditions and cultures that are not fetish, demonic or superstitious. You can be involved in progressive, necessary activities that are not against the word of God and which are beneficial to the community. Remember, we are told that even in the things that are permitted, not all are beneficial. If it will not bring development, if it will not build your spiritual life, if it does not glorify Jesus Christ, then please don’t get involved.

Now, concerning masquerade festivals and such other idolatry practices, a Christian shouldn’t ever get involved at all. Run, run and run away! They will bring divine judgment and generational curses upon you. The word of God should be your guidance and light in everything and if you walk with it, you will definitely not stumble.

‘Christians Should Not Participate In Traditional Festivals Or Encourage Those Who Engage In Them’
(Timothy Olanrewaju Babatunde, Pastor, Christ Apostolic Church, Mountain of Victory, Harmony Estate, Ajah Lagos.)
NO Christian is expected to participate in any traditional festivals, no matter how harmless it may look. This is in line with 1Cor.10: 20, “but I say that the things, which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to the devils, and not to God and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Other chapters such as 1Cor. 6:14-16, Eph. 5:11 and 1Cor. 6:15-16 also kick against Christians getting involved in traditional festivals. The stand of the Bible is clearly stated in above scriptures.

‘Promoting Our Culture, Making It Blend With Christian Worship Through Singing And Dancing Is Encouraged’
(Rt. Rev. Isaac Nwaobia, Bishop, Diocese of Isiala-Ngwa South, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Abia State)
Christians have their foundation deeply rooted in Jesus Christ, which is the ultimate, while traditional festivals have their foundation in deities or heathen religions. Apparently, there is a sharp contrast between Christian faith and traditional practices.

Supremacy of God cannot be compromised and this is the reason Christians cannot compromise their faith to have affinity with traditional festivals. For example, when we talk about New Yam Festival, we see it as being synonymous with worshipping a deity. The name ‘Njoku’ in Igbo has to do with a deity or goddess that owns yam and this is contrary to the truth and the fact that the Almighty God created everything in the universe, including yam tubers. Participants in New Yam festivals are invariably giving the glory that belongs to the Almighty God, Creator of all things and Possessor of heaven and earth to an infinitesimal god. This is not in conformity with biblical pronouncement and this applies to engaging in any traditional festival.

This also rubbishes the Yoruba adage that says: “Igbagbo ko ni ka ma se Oro,” which means our belief in the Almighty God should not hinder us from participating in the Oro festival. We should not forget that God is a jealous God, Who says we should not get involved in anything or any worship that has nothing to do with Him in full and that we should not give His Glory to any other god or creature.

Concerning age grade meeting, I see this as an avenue for Christians to correct some of those things that are wrong among their peers. It can be an opportunity to speak against some vices and promote Christian virtues. Through this avenue, Christians can also influence their age mates to serve the true and living God and they may have overriding voice, where they are in the majority. While this meeting is aimed at encouraging development at the village or town level, it can be a platform for evangelism. If we leave the planning and development of the place of our origin to those not in Christ, they would hijack the avenue and continue to promote ungodly tendencies. Christians can hijack the original intention of these meetings aimed at community development to exalt God and promote the gospel. ‘Christmas’ has usurped the original intention of those that started it and has now become an event that proclaims the birth of Jesus Christ across the globe.

Concerning some dances and traditional songs in the Church, as long as they do not promote idolatry or heathen worship, but merely reflect our culture, they could be refined and integrated into worshipping the Almighty God. After all, the gospel band we use in the Churches today is an imported culture. Promoting our culture, making it blend with Christian worship through singing and dancing is encouraged.

‘Christians Should Distance Themselves From Idolatrous Practices’
(Rev. Albert Bezzaleel Emiebor, General Overseer, Christ’s Wholesome Life International, Lagos.)
WITH regards to Christians participating in traditional festivals, it all depends on who is being referred to as a Christian. An average Christian knows his onions. A Christian or Christians in the family should know that whatever binds the family together, when it comes to the area of idolatrous traditional festivals, they have to steer clear. Some may want to hide under the guise that it is a family issue and that every member is supposed to partake with no one left out. But this is where a Christian should take his stand, especially when the so-called tie in the name of a traditional festival goes along with rituals or fetishism. Christians should distance themselves from this.

When a man is born again, he becomes a new creature. Old things of taking part in just anything that has to do with idolatrous festivals are passed away, as he has a brand new life in Jesus Christ. He has become a heavenly citizen. He is married to Jesus Christ, the Holy One, Who would not want to share his life with any god. Therefore, he has to flee anything that does not give glory to Jesus or those involvements that Jesus would not appreciate or that are questionable.

Jesus says: “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me”. He is inferring that a Christian should know his right from left. A Christian does not dabble into those things that would erode the glory of God in his life. He does not partake in anything that would chase away the presence of Jesus from him. In fact, doing that would amount to the Christian, apart from profaning the name of God, also endangering his own life. The Bible says, “what has light got to do with the darkness and what does a believer has to do with an infidel?” The gap is very wide.

However, Christians should not go into extremism. There may be some things that are to be done in the family, which has nothing to do with idolatry. In such a case, where it is very certain that the name of God is not spoken of in an evil way, then Christians may participate. Of course, he has been warned to flee from every appearance of evil. Whatever legitimate things that bring the family together and which would warrant a Christian’s participation must be scripturally legitimate, devoid of any ungodly practice.

Now, looking at the example of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, when He came, He did not preach Judaism neither did He show any respect for the tradition of ‘men’ during His own time, not to talk of traditional festivals. In actual fact, He condemned the traditions of men and pointed them to the laws of God. He was at variance with those religious people that placed the traditions of men, not to talk of traditional festivals above the laws of God.

When talking about traditional dancing, singing and instrumentation, one may rightly say that not all of them are against the true worship of God. It is nonetheless very imperative that where any of these conflicts with the Words of God, they are not permitted in the Church. Any form of dancing, singing, or instrumentation that is idolatrous in nature, suggests or encourages paganism should be jettisoned.

‘Bible Does Not Allow Christians To Participate In Traditional Festivals’
(Prophet Kayode Taiwo, Shepherd in Charge of Celestial Church of Christ, Orisunayo Parish, Railway Ilupeju, Lagos.)
THE Bible does not really allow Christians to participate in any traditional festival. But because of the African way of life, some people believe it is a normal thing to do. Some people would say ‘give Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give God what belongs to God.’ Any Christian that wants to make heaven must not associate him self with traditions. I always preach to my members that the Bible does not allow Christians to partake in any traditional festival and I believe that a word is enough for the wise.

We have different Churches today and any church that accepts traditional practices or dances is being hypocritical. Those churches know themselves. I would advise that people should turn away from their sins and follow Jesus Christ. Christians should take Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour.

In my Church, we use modern musical instruments during worship. We sing praises to God and all our songs are related to what has happened in the Bible in the past. We believe that the will of God should be done in the lives of our church members.

Christians should believe in the word of God because this earth is not eternal. The question every Christian should answer is: where would you spend your eternity? So, I enjoin every Christian to endeavour to spend his or her eternity in the kingdom of God by doing the will of the Almighty God.
‘Christians Should Not Be Involved In Traditional Festivals’
(Rev. Prophet Cornelius Adetunbi, Founder, Christ Church of Grace, Ajangbadi, Lagos.)
CHRISTIANS should not be involved in traditional festivals, because most people that practise these festivals are idol worshipers and the Bible forbids idol worshipping. The Lord said in the first commandment: ‘I am your Lord your God, do not have any other God except me.’

If you want to follow Christ, you must obey all of the God’s commandments. Jesus came into this world because of our sins and whoever keeps God’s commandment would enter the kingdom of God.

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Whoever fears God cannot harm his fellow man. If you want to serve God, you serve Him in holiness. We have different churches today and any church that incorporates traditional dances into church programmes is not for Jesus Christ.

I would advise Christians to go back to God, because at the end, everyone will give account of what he or she has done on earth. Second Corinthians 5: 10, says whatever you do in this world, you must render account of it before the Lord. If you commit sins, you enter the hellfire but the kingdom of God is for the righteous.

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