Capitalist tendencies in Jeremiah 6:13-20 and the church in economically unstable Nigeria
Keywords:
: Capitalism, Jeremiah 6:13-20, Church, Nigeria, MaterialismAbstract
This article examines the capitalist tendencies in Jeremiah 6:13–20 and their implications for Nigeria. Jeremiah 6:13–20, in particular, presents a striking critique of the pervasive greed and corruption among the leaders and people of Judah. This passage reveals the prophet Jeremiah's denunciation of materialistic pursuits and unethical practices that prioritise wealth accumulation over justice and righteousness. In Nigeria, the prophets and priests are giving prophecies for self-gain. They prophesy to the people about the number of enemies chasing them or stopping their progress in their bid to get money from the people. Families have been disintegrated because of some of these prophecies. It was on this premise that Jeremiah noted that these prophets practice deceit. This is a qualitative study using the narrative method. The data was from secondary literature. The data was analysed using content analysis. Emerged themes include: a) unrestrained greed and materialism; b) corruption and deception; c) neglect of justice; d) false security in wealth; and d) consequences of unchecked capitalism. Recommendations are discussed.
References
Amara. Give And It Shall Be Given. https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/05/27/give-and-it-shall- be-given/2011. Accessed 6, May 2024.
Anderson, A.H. The transformation of world Christianity: Secularization, globalization and the growth of Pentecostalism, plenary paper for the society for Pentecostal Studies 44th Annual Meeting, South Eastern University, Lakeland Florida, 6 March 2015.
Andrew, D. N. From the margins to the centre. Missionalia: Southern African Journal of Mission Studies, 49(1), 6-20, 2021.
Bankole, T.Prosperity preaching among churches promoting poverty, occultism — Don. Punch, 14 Januar, 2024.
Beyer, S. The Commercialization of Christ. https://www.biblegrad.com/bible-bites/the-commercialization-of-christ/, 2020. Accessed 10, May 2024.
Diara, B., Onukwufor, M. & Uroko, F. ‘The structural advancement of religious communities and the commercialisation of the Christian religion in Nigeria’, Theologia Viatorum 44(1), a31, 2020.
George, P. Restoring God's Way. https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/sermons-about-jeremiah-6-13-16/?keyword=Jeremiah+6%3A13 16&rewrittenUrlType=scripture&searchPhrase=Jeremiah%206%3A13-16&searchPhrase=Jeremiah%206%3A13-16, 2003. Accessed 26, April 2024.
Ghormley, J. T. Doublets and Textual Divination in Jeremiah. In Scribes Writing Scripture (pp. 78-163). Meyer, F. B. (2022). Jeremiah: priest and prophet (Vol. 11). Christian Publishing House; 2021.
Henry, M. Matthew Henry :: Commentary on Jeremiah 6. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Jer/Jer_006.cfm, 2006. Accessed 26, April 2024.
Holladay, W. L.. Prototype and Copies: A New Approach to the Poetry-Prose Problem in the Book of Jeremiah. Journal of Biblical Literature, 351-367, 1960.
Idonor, C. U. The Implications Of Commercialization In Ecclesia Communities In Nigeria. Hofa: African Journal of Multidisciplinary Research 5(1), 1-12, 2020.
Luther, M. "The Significant Contributions of Jeremiah to Religious Thought". https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/significant-contributions-jeremiah-religious-thought, 1948. Accessed 10, May 2024
Marshal, R.. Pentecostalism in southern Nigeria: An overview. In P. Gifford (Ed.). New dimension in African Christianity (pp.8-39). Ibadan: Sefer, 1993.
Mwangi, E. . The Holy Spirit In The Book Of Jeremiah. https://fcfkenya.com/the-holy-spirit-in-the-book-of-jeremiah/, 2019. Accessed 24 March, 2024
Oladotun, P. God Will Supply All Your Needs According to His Glorious Riches: The Problem of Extreme Materialism among Nigerian Pastors. https://www.crucibleonline.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Final-Paul-Kowale-Materialism-in-Nigeria-.pdf, 2020.
Princewell, A.N. Church Commercialization in Nigeria: Implications for Public Relations Practice. Journal of Philosophy, Culture and Religion, 28, 1-11,2017.
Smith, Charles Ward. "Commentary on Jeremiah 6:13". "Smith's Bible Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/csc/jeremiah-6.html. 2014.
The Online Library of Libert. The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah (KJV), https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/jeremiah-the-book-of-the-prophet-jeremiah-kjv, 2003. Accessed 19, April 2024.
Times of India. Why religion is big business: An economic lens might explain its fortunes. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-editorials/why-religion-is-big-business-an-economic-lens-might-explain-its-fortunes/, 2024. Accessed 26, April 2024.
TOW Project. Injustice, Greed, the Common Good, and Integrity (Jeremiah 5-8). https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/jeremiah-lamentations/work-related-themes-in-the-book-of-jeremiah/injustice-greed-the-common-good-and-integrity-jeremiah-5-8/, Accessed March 4, 2024
Uroko, F.C. Jeremiah 17: 11 and blood money rituals among youths in southern Nigeria. Theologia Viatorum, 46(1), p.162, 2022.
Zavada, J. Introduction to the Book of Jeremiah. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/book-of-jeremiah-701134, 2021. . Accessed 26, April 2024.
