This thesis is a systematic study of ideas of salvation in Igbo Primal Religious experience and their influence on the conversion and present religious outlook of Igbo Christians. Chapter one is a critique of representative works on Igbo religious experience by Igbo scholars; including historians, social anthropologists and Christian theologians - clergy and lay. In Chapter two, we discover through the study of various types of Igbo primal prayers that the people seek to experience salvation in terms of Ezi-Ndu, viable life. Chapter three shows that to live according to Ofo-na-Ogu, moral rectitude, as codified in the traditional decorum, Omenala, is the sine qua non for the enjoyment of Ezi-Ndu. But those who fall foul of these demands may recover the situation through the cultic rites of "cleansing and warding off", which may sometimes include the dedication of an osu (Chapter four); though there appears to be no permanent answer for man's guilt. In Chapter five, Ahamefula, the eschatological dimension of Ezi-Ndu is seen to consist of four aspects which imply continuity. Chapter six discusses the various ways through which the Igbo seek to harness the powers inherent in religious forms for the enhancement of life. The viability of a religious form depends on its ability to produce this power or mana which is thought to come from the gods. Thus in Chapter seven, Igbo conversion to Christianity is viewed as an encounter between two systems of salvation resulting in a movement on the part of the people in the direction of power. The determinant factors in this conversion were inherent theological ideas whereas socio-economic factors are important as catalysts. In Chapter eight, case studies among three different "generations" of Igbo Christians reveal the persistence of Primal Religious concepts though sometimes in new or re-defined form. In conclusion, we suggest that the way to eliminate this harrowing contradiction of "two faiths in one mind" is through theological reflection which is at once grounded in Biblicity, historic Christianity and Igbo thought, in such a way that Igbo Christians through a dexterous integration of the 'old' and the 'new' are able to find in Christ power and fullness of life, that is, Ezi-Ndu.

Schopenhauer argues, strikingly, that it would have been better if life had not come into existence. In this essay I consider this pessimistic judgment from a philosophical perspective. I take on the following three tasks. First, I consider whether such judgments, apparently products of temperament rather than reason, can be the subject of productive philosophical analysis. I argue that they can be, since, importantly, we can separate arguments for such judgments that establish them as plausible from those that do not. Second, I evaluate Schopenhauer’s arguments for pessimism. I argue that although we must reject Schopenhauer’s main argument for pessimism, he has another, more plausible argument for pessimism that hitherto has been neglected by scholars. Finally, I argue that although pessimism can be established as the correct judgment about life in some possible worlds, in our world the question of pessimism or optimism cannot be definitively answered.

This thesis contends that Paul is wholly consistent in his understanding and use of the concept of election in Romans 9-11. Drawing upon both Old Testament teaching and a double predestinarian tradition finding its most coherent and reasoned expression in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Paul employs the concept of election in Romans 9 to demonstrate how God may be considered faithful to His covenant with Israel. At present, the Creator honors His word by selecting out of ethnic Israel those whom He has predestined as children of promise. These comprise true Israel, and are recognized in Paul's day as Jews embracing Jesus as Messiah. Along with believing Gentiles, they constitute the "vessels of mercy predestined to eschatological glory." The remainder of Israel is hardened into unbelief, and viewed as "vessels of wrath prepared for destruction." Thus, in Romans 9 Paul dismisses a purely nationalistic concept of election in favor of an Israel formed by God's sovereign election of individuals to salvation. Romans 11, however, seems to overrule this individualized perspective of election. Paul declares that God has not completely or finally rejected unbelieving, ethnic Israel. As a corporate entity, through the existence of 'the remnant' she enjoys the continuity of both a theocratic and soteriological election. Although most of his contemporary, unbelieving kinsmen have not been chosen to salvation, Paul holds firmly to the mystery that at the close of the age God will bring future Israel into His mercy. Here, at the consummation of history, God's individualized, electing purpose (Rom 9) and His corporate election of all Israel (Rom 11) dovetail, and God is fully glorified as both Jew and Gentile are rescued from disobedience solely through the sovereign, elective mercy of God.

The thesis aims to demonstrate the existence of two distinct strands of development within the soteriological thinking of the eastern fathers, strands which have sometimes been identified due to their use of similar terminology. It is argued that one tradition, represented in the thesis by the so-called catechetical 'school' of third century Alexandria, frames its understanding of salvation within the conceptuality provided by contemporary philosophical thought in an effort to accomodate the Christian gospel to the ears of its hearers. Here salvation is presented as the liberation of the human soul to participate through contemplation and disciplined ascent in the realm of ideas and reason. The christology inherent within this tradition is, we argue, unable to affirm either the full divinity or the full human integrity of the Saviour. The theme of a proper <i>incarnation </i> or <i>inhomination</i> of the divine Logos is not vital to the essentially subject-centred model of salvation adhered to. A contrast is drawn between this view of salvation as the <i>deification</i> of man on the one hand, and another model which, whilst employing the language of <i>deification</i> to describe what takes place in the salvation of man, nevertheless views the matter wholly differently. The theology of Irenaeus of Lyons and Athanasius of Alexandria is examined with a view to showing that for them salvation is inseparable from a proper <i>inhomination</i> of the divine Logos or Son, consisting, as they believe it does, in the assumption of human nature to participate in the life of God in the mediatory person of the Son. This radical involvement of God himself in the life of man is confessed unashamedly, notwithstanding its offensiveness to the sensibilities of greek thought. It is considered to be the irreducible heart of the Christian gospel, and the dogmatic starting point for a truly Christian theology. It is concluded that there are indeed two very different soteriological traditions here, and that they are bound up with two different christologies, and ultimately with two different methodologies. Hence the not infrequent bracketing together of these various theologians as common exponents of a 'greek' interpretation of salvation is a dangerous oversimplification which does little justice to the reality of the situation.

Thesis (Th. M.)--Capital Bible Seminary, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-70).

Thesis (Th. D.)--Grace Theological Seminary, 1963. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 173-181).

Thesis (M.A.)--The Master's College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-121).

Thesis (M.C.S.)--Regent College, Vancouver, BC, 2007. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 134-140).

Thesis (M. Div.)--Trinity International University, 2008. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-79).

Thesis (M.A.)--Nazarene Theological Seminary, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-91).