JOHN 17, 1.4-5 IN THE CONTEXT OF THE IGBO PROVERB “NKỤ NWATA KPARA N’ỌKỌCHỊ KA Ọ NA-ANYA N’UDU MMIRI”: AN EXEGETICO-HERMENEUTIC STUDY

Abstract

The prayer of the Revealer in John 17 begins with an imperative demand. Jesus asks the Father to glorify him. In vv. 4-5 of the same chapter, he gives the reason for the demand. He has accomplished the task for which he came into the world and so glorification becomes his by right. The researcher believes that fanaticism is one of the fundamental problems of the African for which he remains perpetually poor and unfulfilled. The African is concerned that the Europeans who evangelized Africa are doing well economically. Africa practices Christianity today much more than their evangelizers, yet she remains the hub of poverty and frustration in the whole world. The paper denounces pastors and priests who misrepresent the bible and cow the people into believing that God does everything for them. It uses exegetical lens based on John 17,1.4-5 to underscore the ever-veritable Igbo/African proverb that: Nkunwatakparan’okochi ka o na-anyan’udu miri (the firewood one collects in the dry season is what he uses in rainy season). It is the conclusion of the paper that if one sets his/her vision right and pursues the vision, fulfilment will surely be his/hers.