TABLE OF CONTENTS. Acknowledgements 8. Abbreviations 10

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1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements 8 Abbreviations 10 Chapter One Introduction Objective of Study Christology in Churches in Nigeria Taxonomy of Nigerian Churches Some features of African Indigenous Churches Research Question Research Methodology Importance of this Study The steps of the argument 28 Chapter Two Review of Relevant Literature 2.0 Introduction The concept and worship of the deity in African Traditional Religions The quest for African Christology Content of African Christologies Christ as Divine and human in the African Context Sources of Afro-Christology Contemporary Christologies in Africa Jesus as Ancestor Jesus as Healer Christus Victor Jesus as Chief Jesus as Elder Brother 45

2 2.6.6 Jesus as Liberator Christology in the contemporary Nigerian Churches Focus of this Study 52 Chapter Three An Overview of the Historical Development of the Churches in Nigeria from Pre-colonial period to Present day 3:0 Introduction The Nigerian Religious terrain History of Christianity in Nigeria - First Phase ( ) Second Phase ( ) The Missionary Enterprise of the 19 th Century Third Phase The emergence of African Indigenous Churches Praying and Healing Churches Advent of Pentecostalism in Nigeria Fourth Phase: 1960 to Present day Conclusion 81 Chapter Four History, Structures, Practices and Theology of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church 4.1 History Structure Theology Vision and Mission Statement Theology of Healing and Deliverance Statement of Belief Practises: Spiritual warfare and Imprecatory Prayer Evaluation 103

3 Chapter Five Healing Practices in African Indigenous Churches of Nigeria 5.0 Introduction Healing in African Traditional Society The Medicine-man The Nigerian Economy and Health Sector AICs and Healing Emphasis Early Missionary Thrust and the Quest for Healing Ethiopianism and Healing Practices Prophet-Healing Movement The 1918 Worldwide Influenza and its Effects on African Indigenous Churches Pentecostalism and Quest for Divine Healing in Nigeria Summary 145 Chapter Six Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church Practices as a Reflection of Christological concerns in Nigerian Churches 6.0 Introduction Christology of the African Indigenous Churches Jesus Christ the Healer in the AICs Some Images of Jesus Christ in the AIC Churches Jesus as King Jesus Christ as a Priest Jesus as a Prophet Jesus Christ s Human and Divine Natures in the AICs Christology of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church Christology of the Pentecostal Churches in Nigeria Summary 177 Chapter Seven Conclusion Summary of previous chapters 181

4 7.1 Observations A Transcendent Perspective A socio-economic perspective Possible contribution of the Christology of the MFM Church to the Mission churches Weaknesses of the Christology of the MFM Church Christologies of the churches Concluding Remarks 195 Bibliography 197 Summary 206 Samenvatting 209 Curriculum Vitae 212

5 Acknowledgements The inspiration to undertake this research work arose out of the context of an international conference which held at Houton in the Netherlands between 3-5 October, 2007, hosted by the Moluccan Theological Council, the International Reformed Theological Institute (IRTI) of the Vrije Universitiet, Amsterdam, the Centre for Public Theology, Stellenbosch University South Africa and the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. The conference theme was Jesus in Context, Lost in Translation?, provided a breeding ground for this research work, especially as it relates to the African cultural context. I left the conference with a notion that there seems to be a disparity between the propositional Christology of African Christian intellectuals and what obtains at grass root or popular theology, especially as regards the experiences of the African Indigenous Churches. This informed my interest in undertaking this research work. I am very grateful to my supervisor, Prof.(Dr.) Martien E. Brinkman, Professor of Ecumenical/Intercultural Theology and Director of the interdisciplinary VU Research Institute for the Study of Religion, Culture and Society (VISOR), who literarily took my thoughts in a raw form and transformed them into what we have in this research work. He took interest and accepted to accompany me as my supervisor. At critical stages of the work when the next step looked hazy, he shed light on my thoughts and urged me forward by constantly encouraging me. I thank him for guiding me through the research work to conform to acceptable theological form. I also acknowledge the significant help of Prof.(Dr.)Eddy Van de Borght, my alternate supervisor for his encouragements and critical comments at each stage of the work. I am thankful to the faculty of theology for providing scholarship that enabled me to enrol in the Masters in Contextual and Cross-cultural Studies (2005); the Research Masters programme in Reformed Theology (2007) and subsequently the PhD programme, all at the Faculty of Theology at the VU University Amsterdam. These academic programmes have been most rewarding for me as an individual.

6 I am equally thankful to my professors, Prof. (Dr.)Henk Vroom. Prof. (Dr.) Hans De Wit who supervised my Master s thesis. They were most helpful, kind and generous. I will not fail to mention Dr. Annette Mosher, Luzan Werts and Nienke Eikelboom who were equally wonderful and assisted at the administrative level. I appreciate the friendship of my colleagues in the academic pilgrimage that began in 2005 in Amsterdam. I remember Paul Williams (India), Nelson B. Frimpong (Ghana), Emmanuel Teryila Atsor (Nigeria), Oane Reitsma (Netherlands), Emmanuel Ayedzi (Canada) and a host of others who provided friendship and support at critical points during my sojourn in the Netherlands. At the home front in Nigeria, I wish to acknowledge the invaluable support of friends and senior colleagues like Rev.(Dr.) Kehinde Olabimtan, Rev. (Prof.) Deji Ayegboyin, Rev.(Dr,) E. Ayandokun, Miss Toluwalase Lawal, Miss Kehinde Olayiwola and Mrs. Adebiyi who at one time or the other made useful contributions or read through the manuscripts. I am indebted to my uncle, Prof. Richard Masagbor of the English language department of Benson Idahosa, University of Benin City who read through the manuscripts. I am also indebted to Mr. Ajibade Peters, the Director General of Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo, Badagry, who availed me the opportunity to use the institution s facilities to work on my thesis. I am equally grateful to Mrs. Florence Onabanjo for equally assisting in this regards. I thank my wife, Pastor (Mrs) Betty Aigbadumah, and my children, Aamanesi, Ejiro and Esikogie who accepted that I be away from them while undertaking this academic pursuit. I thank my late parents, Pa Ayo and Mrs. Regina Aigbadumah for their great love for me and sacrifice at critical stages of my education. Above all, I am thankful to God, the giver of life and opportunities to explore the world He has created and to grasp knowledge and wisdom that are prerequisites for the continuous existence of man and society.

7 Abbreviations AIC CAC CAN CLA CCC CRM C & S EFAC FGBMFI MFM NABIS PFN African Indigenous (or Independent Church) Christ Apostolic Church Christian Association of Nigeria Church of the Lord, Aladura Celestial Church of Christ Christian Religious Movement Cherubim and Seraphim Church Evangelical Fellowship of the Anglican Communion Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church National Association for Biblical Studies Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria