An Evaluation of Sources of Moral Standard in Deeper Life Bible Church
CHAPTER ONE
Research objectives
- to examine the level of moral standard in Deeper life bible church.
- to investigate how the moral standards in deeper life bible church affect the way of life of its members.
- To evaluate the different sources of moral standard in deeper life bible church
- Examine the causes of the rise in moral depravity despite the growth in the number of Deeper Life Bible Church
- Assess factors responsible for this menace and x-ray the religious, economic and social implications of Church growth without piety.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Conceptual Review
Concept of Moral Standard
The Bible’s foundational authority has not changed in the Church; however, the interpretation has changed to accommodate modern lifestyles. Christians can believe that the authority of Scripture has not changed and that it is not dependent upon the Church to decide its authority. William Webster, a former Catholic, is a businessman and director of Christian Resources Inc., a book and tape ministry devoted to teaching and evangelism, writes: Scripture has authority, as both Roman Catholics and evangelical Protestants will agree, because it is the Word of God. But Scripture is not the Word of God merely because the Church says it is. Scripture’s authority is derived from its intrinsic nature as a communication from God to man—it has an authority independent of the Church.1 Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments emphasises that God’s covenant people are to exert a positive moral influence on the cultures they inhabit. This chapter will consider the scriptural basis for the Church’s involvement with society as a resource of moral knowledge, and the means by which to engage in morally informed social service. The author of this paper suggests that the Scripture is the ultimate source of direction toward how to live out our lives.
As Paul tells us, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness‖ (II Timothy 3:16 KJV). The author also recognises that the references used in this paper are not all-inclusive, nor that every reader will be able to apply each Scripture reference to their own life application. In arguing that the Christian faith community is to be society’s leader in moral discourse the author places greater focus upon the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew, the exhortations of Paul in Corinthians and the book of James in the New Testament. These texts provide a basis for the Church’s responsibility as a moral influence on today’s culture.
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
Research Design
This study adopted survey research design. The design aims to analyse and explain the issues under investigation, evaluate sources of moral standard in deeper life Bible church through the collection of data at only one point in time without the researcher’s influences in the process. Yeboah (2012); Arief, Thoyib, Sudiro & Rohman (2013); Zeebaree & Sron (2017) in similar research
Population of the study
The population of the study is the members of the Gbagada Headquarters of the Church. According to Wikipedia (2021), in 2020, the Lagos Church had 65,000 people. Hence the population of this study is 65,000
CHAPTER FOUR
ANALYSIS OF RESULT AND DISCUSSION
This chapter reveals the opinion of the members
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
SUMMARY
The researcher has x-rayed the moral decadence among the Nigeria Deeper Life Bible Church from the Christian perspective. This chapter therefore presents a summary of all the chapters. Principal finding, contributions to knowledge, recommendations and suggestions on how to further the research will also be discussed This research work made the following principal findings among others. That moral decadence has to do with standard of bad behavior especially in matters of sex. This also includes an artistic fallen away from something prior or better: health, virtue, tradition and so forth.
The advent of the European missionaries and the itinerant preachers contributed to what helped erode our much-cherished norms and values, which in turn encouraged the moral decadence of the Nigeria Deeper Life Bible Church. That parents, government and teachers contributed to the moral decadence of the Deeper Life Bible Church and can effect a positive change in the lives of the Deeper Life Bible Church. The divergent views of the different schools of thought over morality could harm the Deeper Life Bible Church, since some may find it difficult to determine what is morally right or wrong even from the Christian perspective.
That moral decadence of the Deeper Life Bible Church also has a negative effect on the individual, family, and nation. That some of the Christian churches are contributory to the degeneration of morality in the society by their unbalanced preaching. For instance, materialism is first before righteousness instead of vice versa. The study showed that most of the Christian churches are not vocal in condemning the ills in the church and society at large. That the unwanted or unplanned pregnancies, abortions and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among the Deeper Life Bible Church has presented evidence of high level of promiscuity among the Deeper Life Bible Church. Not much has been done to arrest this ugly situation. With this high rate of sexual immorality among the Deeper Life Bible Church, our society’s economic and socio-cultural life and future are seriously threatened, especially against the backdrop of deadly sexually transmitted diseases.
Contributions to knowledge
This study has contributed to the wealth of knowledge in understanding the extent to which moral decadence has eaten into the Nigerian Deeper Life Bible Church and its negative effect on the individual, families and nation. That moral decadence has eaten into the fabrics of the nation, is not an exaggeration but a fact and majority of the Deeper Life Bible Church knowingly or unknowingly are guilty of this cancerous gangrene. Also examined were the levels or forms of moral decadence in the Deeper Life Bible Church today. It has been proved that causes of moral decadence range from parental negligence of their duties, to lack of total devotion by the teachers to their duties, to loopholes in government policies on social changes, and the churches inability to speak out as at when due.
This study also brought to the focus the implications of moral decadence on the nation’s political, economical, social, religious, and educational state. This study has also contributed in adding to the existing literature on moral decadence. Scholars through this thesis can gain some insights into the causes of moral decadence and the church’s effort in curbing the moral decadence in the Nigeria Deeper Life Bible Church. Thus any act that promotes moral decadence must be denounced at all levels. Finally, this study is not an end in itself but will serve as an eye opener or guide for further findings.
Recommendations
The researcher, having attempted an x-ray of the moral decadence among the Nigeria Deeper Life Bible Church and having looked at the church’s past, present, and future contributions, makes the following recommendations. That retreats should be organized to involve all the Deeper Life Bible Church of the Christian churches whether a member of any organization or not. This will break every barrier. This will also create an opportunity for more Deeper Life Bible Church to hear God’s word, which would help change their lives. They will not only learn to fear the Lord but also the leaders. Like the wise saying: “my son, fear the lord and the king, and do not disobey either of them” (Proverb 24:21). Different seasoned preachers would help in driving home the points with good examples.
That the Christian churches will have centres and neigbourhood cells where church activities such as Bible reading, prayer groups and other activities relevant to problems of everyday living are examined by parishioners. That the Christian church should encourage family ministry/care groups and lay greater emphasis on Deeper Life Bible Church and women ministries. Prisons, remand homes, hospitals, women, men and Deeper Life Bible Church ministries shall be established or resuscitated in the church. That Churches should lay more emphasis on moral preaching and teaching to educate the Deeper Life Bible Church on the consequences of immoral behaviour. That Christian religious bodies should assess their role of moral rearmament and reorientation on the society. That Christianity should be allowed to define the lives and values of the majority of Nigerians for the upliftment of the society.
That churches should engage in capacity building, job creation and health promotion for better and more productive lives and support the government through prayers to ensure peace and stability.That government and the church should liaise and see to it that the unity schools and private schools allow the Christian churches to teach the children the Word of God. They should be allowed to have moral instructions and Christian fellowship too. Since every denomination has its own prepared doctrine, they should move into all schools, including the primary and crèche. This will help to catch them young, since the traditional methods have seemingly failed. This is in agreement with the observation of Ugwu and Ugwueye (2004:133) that traditional sanctions and taboos have failed, let us try the Christian sanctions.
That the government should try to address the socio- economic problems of the country by creating employment opportunities and making other basic necessities of life available, affordable and accessible to the people. That the government should monitor the nature and the kind of information and cultural values that are being aired on television and radio stations, especially in the area of pornography and magazines that are being imported into the country. That the government should endeavour to establish our higher institutions in environments ambience for good study since the physical environment of a school could have a positive or negative effect on the moral standard of the educands. These environments can also explain the rising cult and other crime activities in our campuses observed Ogunji (2009)
That the government should set up immorality-fighters to whom observed immoral behavour – free mixing, and public intimacy between people of opposite or same sex – will be reported to. Surely this will increase or enhance moral standard.
That the government increases public awareness on moral decadence and its concomitant effects on individuals, families and nations through print and electronic media. That the traditional rulers in the country use their offices to fight moral decadence and other social vices that are fast engulfing the country. Traditional rulers and parents through whose leadership and control children and the Deeper Life Bible Church are nurtured ought to be advised and guided when their actions deviate from the norms and values. That the clergy of the different denominations liaise with the traditional institutions like the age grade group and the traditional rulers and UmuOkpu (wOmen grOup), to mention but these, since some of these decaying attitudes of these Deeper Life Bible Church are equally and mostly practised in the communities too. Just like Amujiri (2002:8) suggested: “community justice can liberate Nigeria from corruption…” These groups will help in fighting this war against the moral decadence of the Deeper Life Bible Church thoroughly. No group should be seen conniving with the wrongs of these Deeper Life Bible Church. Character moulding is surely more effective when every structure is up and doing. This agrees with Oguntomisin in Echeta (2007:186) who says: “character training is the primary objective of traditional education”.
That parents should endeavour to maintain good moral disposition because children learn easier by imitation. More so, Echeta (2007:188) has this to say “this moral code charging children with the respect of parents also challenges parents to maintain strong and good moral disposition”
Again, parents are advised to create enough time and stay at home with their children. They should not always rush out in the morning for `greener pastures’ and come back at night to meet the children sleeping. When they stay home, they teach them or try to inculcate moral values into them. Home training is given by parents at home. It is not given by the four walls of the home. The question of having the children at the mercies of either “half baked helps” or nannies should severely be checked by parents who are not around to watch the life style of their children and correct their wrongs. By the time they leave home, and up with their peers who are either like them or rougher, they turn into something else totally, laments Anigbogu (2009:18). Ochiagha in Okwueze (2004:243) emphases that these children would end up being depraved and unrefined without these moral values inculcated into them. Therefore, parents and adult members of the families are requested to stay at home and teach these children good and correct moral values, so that they grow with it. This is in line with what the Bible says in Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (King James Version). Parents should monitor their children, by making out time to visit them in the light of their peer group. This will put some checks in the lives of these Deeper Life Bible Church.
That the church goes on to pray more as 1Thessalonians 5:17 enjoins people to pray without ceasing. Prayers will touch and change the lives of these decadent Deeper Life Bible Church. Just as Ugwu (2002:226) advices that, Prayers we know can change things. Nigeria Christian has the onerous responsibility of praying for the nation in distress and in a state of corruption as already initiated by catholic Bishops conference Nigeria (CBCN). This will definitely change fraudulent, recalcitrant and dissident person within the shortest possible time.
That the preachers of today should endeavour to preach a balanced gospel. This is because the incessant and continuous preaching of prosperity gospel creates a sense of materialism in the heart of the Deeper Life Bible Churchs today. On this Aweda (2008:7) said; “to preach that all Christians must be materially wealthy is a fraudulent interpretation of the Bible and they are preaching their first heresy”.
Suggestions for further Researches
This research has been narrowed down to only the moral decadence among the Nigerian Deeper Life Bible Church from a Christian perspective. However one should not think or consider the issue of moral decadence to have been handled extensively. Further research work could be carried out on the extent to which moral decadence has eaten up into every factor strata within the Nigerian Society. It is a well known fact that almost every sphere of life in Nigeria has been bedeviled by corruption which is a major form of moral decadence and this retards progress in this beloved nation.
There is also the need to carry out further research work on the same topic but from both the Islamic and traditional point of view. At the end the three views would be juxtaposed and the findings and recommendations could help bring not only the Nigerian Deeper Life Bible Church but every Nigerian to the consciousness of what is good and bad. In addition, further research could be carried out on why immorality is on the increase despite the multiplicity of churches and mosques in present-day Nigeria society. Possible solutions could be proffered.
Conclusion
In the light of the findings of this study, the researcher concludes that the problem of moral decadence in the Nigerian society cannot be curbed or have the solution finally from the efforts of the Christian churches alone. A tripartite arrangement between the Christian church, the government and the family in this fight against moral decadence and other related crimes requires the collective effort of everybody. Nevertheless, the indispensable role of religion in the lives of its citizens, as a change agent and an instrument for moral reorientation can never be over emphasized.
REFERENCES
- Abah, C. (2004) “Nigeria: Indiscipline in Schools: checking a Social Malaise”. Daily Champion, Lagos. June 30.p.2
- Achebe, C. (1964), ArrOw Of gOd, Ibadan: Heinemann Education Publication.
- Achebe, C. (1983), The trOuble with Nigeria, Enugu: Forth Dimension Publishing Co. Ltd.
- Achi, L.; Yakubu, M (2001) “Nigeria: Buhari Explains Why Military Toppled Shagari”. Thisday, Lagos. November 25.p.1.
- Achunike, H.C. (1995), Dreams Of heaven, Enugu: SNAAP Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd.
- Adibe, G.E.M. (1992), The crisis of faith and morality of the Igbo Christians of Nigeria. Onitsha: Tabansi press Ltd
- Adeshida, A. (2005) “Nigeria: Anglican CommunionWorries over Indecent Dressing by young ladies”: Vanguard, Abuja. August 3, p.1.
- Agbo, A. (2008). “Crippling Economic Activities in the Region”.
- Tell, June 9.p.22
- Agha, U.A. (2003), ReligiOus ethics in a permissive sOciety,
- Enugu: SAPS Nigeria.
- Alao T.: (2004). TO Deeper Life Bible Churchs a Plea: Live Right, Act Right. The Guardian, Thursday, March 8.
- Aluko, M.A.O. (2002) “The Institutionalization of Corruption and its Impact on Political Culture and Behaviour in Nigeria”. Nordic Journal of African Studies II (3):393-402 (2002)
- Amujiri, B (2002), “Corruption in Government Circle” in Ugwu,
- C.O.T (ed) COrruptiOn in Nigeria: critical perspectives,
- Chuka Publication Coy, Nsukka,
- Amuta, C. (2001), “Nigeria: Ethnic Militias and National Security”. The Postexpress. Lagos. July 28.p.1.
- Anigbogu, E.B. (2009). Decline in Discipline and MOrality in Our SOciety: The Christian Outlook, Nnewi: Saturday, March 14, p17.
- Anyacho E.O. (2004). “Religious and Political Authorities in Traditional Societies: Continuities and Discontinuities” in
- Atilade A. (2008). We must grOw the thinking and mOral attitude Of Our Deeper Life Bible Churchs: The Guardian, Lagos: Sunday, July 27, p66.
- Aweda, S. (2008). “A Highly Religious Nation in Crisis of Moral Decadence: the Confusion Prosperity Preaching Lamentation (Part IV. Links, Lagos, June 9.p.3.
