Agbom, Agnes (2022) Communion in Ezza Culture: A Theological Analysis from the Trinitarian Perspective of the Cappadocian Fathers. PhD thesis, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.
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Final Doctoral Dissertation post viva.Agnes Agbom.pdf
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Abstract
The doctrine of the Trinity has long been taught and received as a mystery not knowable
to human beings. Unfortunately, this central doctrine of Christianity has to a great extent
been interpreted and confined to the intellectual sphere without any connection to
people’s lived experiences. This study departs from this tradition; instead, it uses the
relational interpretation of the Trinity by the Cappadocian fathers to study communal
relationships in contemporary Ezza culture in Igbo in Eastern Nigeria. The thesis argues
that the Trinity is not merely a mystery that has no connection to human experience.
Rather, it asserts, for example, that communal relationships in Ezza culture are possible
because Ezza people, like other human beings, are created in the image and likeness of
God who is Trinity. The doctrine of the Trinity captures the fact that human beings are
created in the image and likeness of God especially because of the incarnation of the
second person of the Trinity, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, there is a continuity and
development of the God/human relationship made possible by Jesus Christ who reveals
God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The ministry of Jesus essentially calls all humanity to
participate in the fullness of trinitarian communion. On the basis of all these factors, this
study argues that the communion in Ezza culture, although imperfect, resembles
trinitarian communion. It proposes that teaching and interpreting the doctrine of the
Trinity in terms of loving relationship and communion has thepontential to deepen the
gospel message in Ezza. This is especially the case because when love, the central
message of the Christian faith, encounters a culture that practices communal living,
people may begin to embrace the positive teaching of the Christian message in their
communal lives. In this environment of enhanced genuine Christian commitment, the
Christian injunction of love of God and neighbour may take root and flourish.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) |
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Keywords: | Communion; Ezza Culture; Theological Analysis; Trinitarian Perspective; Cappadocian Fathers; |
Academic Unit: | St Patrick's College, Maynooth > Faculty of Theology |
Item ID: | 16769 |
Depositing User: | IR eTheses |
Date Deposited: | 08 Dec 2022 11:02 |
URI: | https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/16769 |
Use Licence: | This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here |
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