Abstract
It is no longer secret that the level of alcohol taking in our society today even among Christian is growing at the alarming rate. That is manifest in the level of which bear parlors and joints where this commodity is established in an increasing rate. It has resulted into so many social and spiritual challenges in the church. It is for this reason that researcher carries a theological investigation into the causes and effects an effects Alcoholism in the body of Christ that calls for a holistic study which by the help of God has been dealt extensively in this work. In recent time the use and the abuse of alcohol has grown so massively among many professing Christians irrespective of the warnings of the Bible teachings against alcoholism. In this research work, the researcher unfolded the root and the minors causes of alcoholism in the Body of Christ. Alcoholism has brought so many abuse to Christianity especially in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, where out of five adults four is an alcoholic users and in every family if not nuclear has one or more alcoholic victim which I believe that through some suggestions made in this research has proffered some unique solutions to this ugly menace. However, the researcher uses questionnaires as an instrument to collect data from two hundred and eighty-six (286) respondents from different denominations. Descriptive survey was adopted for this study hence it was a large coverage. Likert Scale was also use to analyzed data and some of the findings are; that drunkenness is the major cause lack of love of God in the body of Christ today. The researcher concluded finally, that drunkenness is the major cause of lack of Love and some misbehavior in the body of Christ, in order to minimize it the minister of the Gospel should teach about the dangers of alcoholism both in the church and public places
Table of Contents
Fly leaf…………………………………………………………………………………………….i
Title Page……………………………………………………………………………………….ii
Declaration…………………………………………………………………………………….iii
Certification……………………………………………………………………………………iv
Dedication………………………………………………………………………………………v
Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………….vi
Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………..vii
Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………x
CHAPTER ONE:
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of
the Study…………………………………………..1
1.2 Statement of
the Problems………………………………………….5
1.3 Aim and
Objectives of the Study………………………………...…6
1.3.1 Aim of the
study……………………………………………...…...6
1.3.2 Objectives
of the study……………………………………...…….6
1.4 Research
Questions and Hypotheses………………………..………6
1.4.1 Research
Question………………………………………………....6
1.4.2 Research Hypotheses……………………………………………....7
1.5
Significance/Justification of the Study…………………………..….7
1.6 Scope of the
Study………………………………………………….8
1.7 limitation of
the study………………………………………………9
1.8
Definition
of Operational Terms effects…………………………….9
CHAPTER TWO
2.0
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction……………………………………………………….11
2.2 Historical perspective………………………………………….….11
2.3 Theological Perspective…………………………………………..17
2.3.1 Theological Rationales………………………………………....20
2.4 Conceptual Framework………………………………………......21
2.4.1 Alcoholism……………………………………………………...21
2.4.2 A Biblical Perspective of Alcohol……………………………..25
2.4.3 Drunkenness in the Bible……………………………………….27
2.4.4. Reasons for Alcoholism/ Causes of
Alcoholism………………30
2.4.
5 Effect of Alcoholism in the Church…………………………….33
2.4.6
Risk factors; Positive and Negative effects of Alcohol………….34
2.4.7 Symptoms of Alcoholism……………………………………....35
2.4.8
Biblical Way to Avoid Alcohol Taking…………………………35
2.4.9
Alcohol Related behaviours………………………………...…..39
2.4.10
Christianity and Treatment of Addiction………………………40
2.5
Theoretical Framework……………………………………………42
2.6 Current Trends:…………………………………………………........
2.7 Research Gap:……………………………………………………......
CHAPTER
THREE:
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….46
3.2. Research Design……………………………………………………………………….….46
3.3. Location of the Study……………………………………………………….………….47
3.4. Population of the Study………………………………………………………………47
3.5. Sample size and Sample Techniques…………………………………………...47
3.6 Research instrument……………………………………………………………………49
3.7.1 Validity of the Instrument…………………………………………………………49
3.7.2 Reliability of the Instrument…………………………………………………….50
3.8 Data Collection Procedure…………………………………………………………..51
3.9 Administration of the Instruments………………………………………………51
3.10 Research Ethics………………………………………………………………………....51
3.11Data Analysis Techniques………………………………………………..………….52
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0
PRESENTATIONS, ANALYSIS OF DATA
4.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………53
4.2 Demographics of data…………………………………………………………………..53
4.3 Presentations of Findings Using Tables………………………………….……..57
4.3.1 Data Analysis on Research questions……………………………………..….59
4.4 Analysis of collected data and testing of
hypotheses…………………….59
CHAPTER
FIVE:
5.0
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary……………………………………………………………66
5.2
Conclusion…………………………………………….......................67
5.3
Recommendations………………………………………………..…68
5.4. Suggestion
for Further Studies……………………………………..69
References………………………………………………………………..70
APPENDICES ……………………………………………………………
CHAPTER
ONE
Introduction
1.1 Background
of the Study
Alcohol has many usage and
contrasting connotations. A glass of wine with a meal can symbolize Love,
friendship, relaxation and enjoyment of a special occasion. It can represent
romance, coming of age, success, beginnings and endings, good news and good
company. Catholic Church or Jewish Passover where wine is also shared, thanks
are given to God for divine salvation from all that were enslaved, restricted
and condemned. In drinking the wine, Christ and Jews participate with the
ancient Hebrews in their exodus from enslavement in Egypt.
In
African tradition, wine is used to portray a relationship and communion between
the living human and ancestors, deities and other supernatural entities. This
is evidence in covenant establishment, oath taking, daily ritual of libation,
burial and institution of shrines and altars. Also in marriage ceremonies, the
usage of alcoholic wine is indispensible even against the vehement opposition
of Pentecostal churches in Africa with Nigeria as typical example. Ekwe (2000)
stated that apart from water and wind, wine is another integral and
indispensible part of African life and living. The presence is felt in almost
all the activities of African customs and traditions ranging from burials,
rituals, marriages, oath takings, covenant establishments, meetings,
hospitalities, evening relaxation to all forms of their daily activities.
Unfortunately,
the sacredness and redemptiveness of these occasions contrast with the association
of alcohol with drunken violence in our towns and cities, cirrhosis of the
liver on our medical wards, debts in families, death on our roads and numbers
of fights in families. It contrasts more especially with the enslavement, which
is alcoholism or alcohol addiction. This contrasting nature of alcoholic drink
is clearly revealed in different chapters and verses of the Hebrew Scripture,
the Old Testament. Serious warnings were placed on the need to avoid addiction
and lust towards alcoholic wine. At some instances, some people were strictly
warned not to taste alcoholic wine or partake in meals that have connection
with alcohol. For instance, Nazarites like Samson in Judges 13:7, Princes in
Proverbs 31:4 and the Rechabite family in Jeremiah 35:1-19 were in this
category. The book of Proverbs 23:29-35; “who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who
hath contention? Who hath babbling? Who
hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in
the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have
stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I
felt it not: when shall I awake? Will seek it yet again” They that tarry long
at the wine; they that go to seek mixed win. Look not thou upon the wine when
it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes
shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter pointed out and analyze the state, condition and ordeals of an
alcoholic drinker and the problem of addiction even in this contemporary era.
In
more purely statistical and objective terms, alcohol misuse is a contemporary
social problem of enormous economic significance, which exacts a high toll of
human suffering as a result of the social, psychological and medical harms to
which it gives rise. Alcohol related morbidity and mortality are high in most
parts of the world, and in many developing nations like Nigeria, alcohol consumption
and its concomitant harms are on the increase. Yet, moderate alcohol
consumption is tolerated, enjoyed and encouraged, with the majority of the
adult population being drinkers of alcohol in almost all countries other than
those with an Islamic culture.
What
are we to make of these observations? It is easy to project blame to a safe
distance by arguing that they are the responsibility of other people’s plights
or forces beyond our control.
Government,
industries and moderate drinkers can blame a majority of irresponsible citizens
for their excesses. The beverage alcohol industry can easily be blamed for
promoting a product which causes so much harm. Or else, the product itself can
be blamed and made subject of prohibition, on the basis that everyone would be
better if it were not consumed at all in civilized society.
For
instance, laws have been made in different societies against alcoholic
drinking, like in many Islamic states, which proved abortive because people
devise diverse means to fall back to the pit of addiction. Again different
alcoholic producing companies have been banned from production and advertising
alcoholic drinks, but local production of alcohol serve as alternative means, therefore
making the former ineffective.
However,
the Hebrew Scripture offers principles, precepts and admonitions which strict
observation, adherence and application of these, will bring the menace of
alcoholism in the society to a halt. The reason remains that the Scripture
touches the heart of man and answers diverse questions in the inner man. Edward
(2000) observed that while human laws address immediate issues and challenges
of man which solutions are temporal, the Scripture touches the remote (the root)
of the same issues, offering a permanent solution. So the problem of alcoholism
is not different from other issues which the Scripture has offered permanent
solution.
This
research work will showcase and analyze issues associated with alcohol and
alcoholism using the Scriptural tool presented in Proverbs 23:29-35. Among all
the books in the Bible that talked about alcohol, the book of Proverbs in
different chapters and verses (Proverbs
23:20-21,
20:1) made many comments on the issue of wine and alcohol. But among these
chapters, Proverbs 23:29-35 has the longest context, therefore stands as the
most appropriate exegetical tool to treat the issue of alcoholism. Lessons drawn
from this text will be applied to the selected churches in Akwanga with regards
to alcoholism. Placing the Bible text on the church situations, solution will
be offered.
1.2 Statement
of the Problems
The
level of alcohol addiction among church members is growing in a geometric speed
and the consumption percentage is very alarming. Amadi (2010) observed that
every street in Onitsha, Anambra State, has about three to five bars and
drinking centers. Which is also true in Akwanga Local Government Area The
number of crates of beer consumed in a day, especially on Sunday, calls for
higher supply to alcoholic producing companies and on the other side of the
coin, calls for a social re-think.
The corresponding health,
psychological, social and economical dangers it poses to our churches.
Therefore, everyone is involved in this issue and thereby requires general
attention. The researcher saw these existing states of affairs as societal
hurdles that require a tactical approach. This research work to a reasonable
extent seeks to assess the causes and
the effects of alcoholism in the body of Christ a case study of selected
churches in Akwanga local government area of Nasarawa State.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
1.3.1 Aim of the study
The aim of this study is to theologically
examine the causes and effects of alcoholism in the society and the body of
Christ
1.3.2
Objectives of the study
Some of the objectives of this study are;
i.
To discover the causes of alcoholism
ii.
To
assess the effects of Alcoholism among some Bible characters.
iii.
To provide scriptural solutions to
alcoholism
iv.
To identify a workable step by step to
avoid alcoholism
v.
To transform the church from the impact of
alcoholism
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