This study investigates how the Biblical teaching on death and the resurrection can provide
the appropriate doctrinal challenge to the problem of the pervasive and persistent fear of death
amongst the Luo people of Kenya. It therefore examines the Luo traditional beliefs and
customs surrounding death in order to establish its contribution to the fear of death, even
amongst some Luo Christians. A Biblical-theological study of death and the afterlife provides
the doctrinal antidote necessary to rescue and transform a people under bondage to fear, thus
outlining the basis for hope in a life beyond physical death through the doctrine of the
resurrection.
The research commences with a description of Luo traditional beliefs concerning death and
dying, and outlines the related Luo customs in relation to their belief in the spirit-world. The
contention is that these beliefs result in the fear of death, while the lack of Biblical
understanding even amongst some Luo Christians has led to their ignorance of the Biblical
teaching on death, and thus a loss of the assurance found in the resurrection of Christ. Death
and the afterlife is carefully examined from a Biblical-theological perspective in order to
demonstrate how the doctrine of the resurrection can function as a 'rescue doctrine' for those
affected by the pervasive and persistent fear of death.
The study also explores the assurance of triumph over death as an eschatological reality in
keeping with Christ's work of redemption. Similarly, it is argued that triumph over evil and
malevolent spirits is guaranteed. In closing, the study explores the power of the Gospel of the
resurrected Christ to change lives and transform unbiblical practices and worldviews to
conform to his will. It is the resurrected Christ alone who has the power to transform the
moral and ethical values ingrained in any culture. / Thesis (M.A. (Dogmatics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/1146 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Owuor, Victor Benard |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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