Toward a Biblical Model of Culturally Appropriate Persuasion for the Evangelistic Mission of the

152 Pages·2017·1.23 MB·English

by  Aloysius Ntiwunka

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Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research
2014
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Aloysius Ntiwunka
Andrews University
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Ntiwunka, Aloysius, "Toward a Biblical Model of Culturally Appropriate Persuasion for the Evangelistic
Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Imo State, Nigeria" (2014). Dissertation Projects DMin. 92.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/92
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ABSTRACT

TOWARD A BIBLICAL MODEL OF CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE
PERSUASION FOR THE EVANGELISTIC MISSION
OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

by

Aloysius Ntiwunka

Adviser: Jeanette Bryson
ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH

Project Document

Andrews University

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Title: TOWARD A BIBLICAL MODEL OF CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE
PERSUASION FOR THE EVANGELISTIC MISSION OF THE SEVENTH-
DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Name of researcher: Aloysius Ntiwunka

Name and degree of faculty adviser: Jeanette Bryson, PhD

Date completed: February 2014

Problem
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a worldwide denomination, but it is one of
the smallest in Imo State, Nigeria, even though 90% of the population is Christian,
Protestant and Catholic, with only 2% Muslim. Since most of the population of Imo State
is Christian, the common belief in God should open the opportunity to present the unique
teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; namely, the message of the Three Angels
of Revelation. However, numerous approaches to evangelism do not seem to have been
successful in producing changes in the lives of the citizens.
Method
This project document followed a descriptive research method and includes a
review of literature related to persuasion, a presentation of the historical context of
cultural persuasion in Imo State, Nigeria, and a study of models, procedures, and
principles involved in incorporating a biblical model of persuasion, followed by a model
developed specifically for Imo State.

Projected Results
Based on a biblical model of ministry to meet the needs of the community,
holistic methods will be incorporated into outreach, such as a food pantry, health lectures,
and home visits. The hope is that Seventh-day Adventists living in Imo State, Nigeria can
learn to persuade others of their authentic faith in God and the message of the Three
Angels of Revelation.

Conclusions
Christian outreach often involves coercion, a compliance-gaining approach.
Forceful persuasive strategies can be replaced with a biblical model of persuasion, even
though coercive strategies are still being used globally, as well as by the leaders of Imo
State, Nigeria. An article published by Scalia (Scalia, 2012) suggests that evangelism is
meant to persuade and not provoke. It is thought that a biblical model of persuasion will
change the declining growth pattern.
Andrews University

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

TOWARD A BIBLICAL MODEL OF CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE
PERSUASION FOR THE EVANGELISTIC MISSION
OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

A Project Document

Presented in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Doctor of Ministry

by

Aloysius Ntiwunka

February 2014
© Copyright by Aloysius Ntiwunka 2014
All Rights Reserved
TOWARD A BIBLICAL MODEL OF CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE
PERSUASION FOR THE EVANGELISTIC MISSION
OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

A project document
presented in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree
Doctor of Ministry

by

Aloysius Ntiwunka

APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE:

_______________________________ _________________________________
Adviser, Director, DMin Program
Jeanette Bryson Skip Bell

_______________________________ _________________________________
Donald James Dean, SDA Theological Seminary
Jiří Moskala

_______________________________ _________________________________
Boubakar Sanou Date approved
TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................... vii

LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... vii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................... viii

Chapter
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 1

Historical Context of Cultural Persuasion in Nigeria .......................... 2
The Nature and Practice of Persuasion in Nigerian Society ................ 3
Statement of Problem ........................................................................... 4
Statement of the Task........................................................................... 5
Justification for the Project .................................................................. 5
Expectations of the Project .................................................................. 6
Limitations ........................................................................................... 7
List of Acronyms ................................................................................. 7
Description of the Project Process ....................................................... 7

2. THE PERSONAL, THEOLOGICAL, AND SPIRITUAL
FOUNDATION FOR MINISTRY ............................................................. 9

Introduction .......................................................................................... 9
Personal Profile .................................................................................... 9
Life Journey ......................................................................................... 9
Culture............................................................................................ 10
Call ................................................................................................. 10
Community .................................................................................... 16
Communion.................................................................................... 17
Conflicts ......................................................................................... 18
Commonplace ................................................................................ 19
Theological Foundation of Biblical Model of Persuasion in the
Old Testament ................................................................................ 20
The Reason God Established a Relationship With humanity ........ 21
Word of Admonition, Rebuke and Reprove as Persuasive
in the Old Testament ................................................................ 22
Expression of God’s Love Through Covenantal Agreement ......... 24
Theological Foundation of Biblical Model of Persuasion in the
iii
New Testament .............................................................................. 27
Christ’s Model of Persuasion ......................................................... 27
Jesus was Compassionate .............................................................. 29
The Teaching and Preaching Excellence of Jesus ......................... 31
Christ’s Gentility Made a Great Impact on His Audience ............. 32
Story Telling and Other Examples of Christ’s
Method of Persuasion .............................................................. 33
Use of Rhetorical Questions .......................................................... 36
Theological Foundation of Biblical Model of Persuasion in the
New Testament: Early Christian Church ....................................... 36
John’s Model of Biblical Persuasion ............................................. 37
Paul’s Model of Biblical Persuasion .............................................. 38
Paul’s Model of Re-visitation is Worth Emulating.................. 39
Use of Rhetorical Questions .................................................... 40
Giving Thanks to God in All Circumstances
(1 Thess 5:18) .......................................................................... 42
The use of the Word Logos .................................................................. 43
Ellen White Comments on Persuasion Leading to Conversion ........... 44
Summary .............................................................................................. 46

3. THE LITERATURE REVIEW......................................................................... 48

Introduction .......................................................................................... 48
The Historical, Culture, and Religious Background of Imo State
in Nigeria ....................................................................................... 48
History of Imo State ....................................................................... 49
Nigerian-Biafran War .............................................................. 49
Destruction of Roads and Buildings ........................................ 50
Education Declined .................................................................. 50
Religion and Culture of Imo State ................................................. 51
Persuasion ............................................................................................ 52
The Rationale for Persuasion ......................................................... 53
Definition of Persuasion ................................................................ 53
The Value of Persuasion ................................................................ 55
The Laws of Ethos in Persuasion ................................................... 57
The Laws of Pathos in Persuasion ................................................. 61
The Laws of Logos in Persuasion .................................................. 64
Logical Arguments in Logos ............................................................... 65
Aristotle’s Theory Based on Three Modes of Proof of
Logical Argument .......................................................................... 66

4. NARRATIVE OF PROJECT PLAN FOR BIBLICAL MODEL
OF PERSUASION IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA ........................................ 70

Introduction .......................................................................................... 70
Description of Strategy in Relation to the Overall Goal ...................... 76
iv