MTH Poposal Section 1-3
MTH Poposal Section 1-3
MTH Poposal Section 1-3
INTRODUCTION
Considering the level of moral decadence which is on the high side in churches,
there is a need to consider what the problem is. The story that is been said about the
fathers and mothers in the churches of old seems to be in contrast with the present reality.
Topics like faith in God, dedication to the things of God and respect given to anything
labeled with Gods name have deteriorated seriously. Obedience is one of the Christian
morals and values that the patriarchs and matriarchs in Christianity both in the bible days
and in the contemporary days upheld, just like Bonhoeffer emphasizes the importance of
He writes, "Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes" 1.
Therefore, Obedience is a core value that must be upheld but that is fast becoming a thing
of the past in this age and time just like the times of the Israelites. Hence there is a need
to look into the cause of the problem which is similar to the event in the book of judges
2:10-13.
There is a need to know why some people in this present generation are not
acknowledging God in there day to day activities, what would have caused the form of
discontinuity in their view about morality and Christian values, what should be the
Christian values and morals to be passed to generations to come, to also consider what
the books of judges 2:10 meant when it was talking about the generation that didn’t know
the Lord or what He had done for Israel. Could this have been the fault of the generation
1
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (USA: Touchstone, 1995), 76.
1
before then or it was a deliberate action of the present generation to intentionally ignore
The main aim of this research work is carried out in order to achieve the
following purposes:
1. To critically trace Christian’s morals and values upheld by fathers and mothers of
2. To critically examine the event in Judges 2: 10-13 and how it affects generational
3. To seek people’s view about the causes of degeneration of Christian moral and
5. To develop a possible model that will help in raising up younger generations with
Christian values and moral, multiplying spiritual parenting for the fulfillment of
The research work will address the reasons behind the discontinuity of Christian
values and morals in Christ Apostolic Churches in Ado Ekiti. This research will help the
Christ Apostolic Churches in Ado Ekiti and all churches to understand the possible
meaning of the books of Judges 2:10-13, and will also serve as a source material for
future researchers
2
1.5 Delimitation of the Study
The research covers Exegesis of Judges 2:10-13 and its effects on generational
continuity of Christian values and morals in Christ Apostolic churches in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti
state
The researcher here gives a common definition of some words that relate with the
Exegesis:
were to have heard it, to find out what was the original intent of the words of the
Bible3
2
Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How To Read The Bible For All Its Worth, (USA: Zondervan,
Grand Rapids, Michigan 2003), 23
3
Ibid.
3
SECTION TWO
Christian morals and values primarily from their parents, family members, and
religious communities
2. Identity Theory: Identity theory suggests that young people are more likely to
adopt Christian morals and values if they identify strongly with their Christian
identity5. This theory emphasis that, Christian parents and religious communities
people develop Christian morals and values as part of their broader moral
4
John H. Westerhoff III, Education for Ministry: Renewing the Vision (New York: Church
Publishing, Inc., 2009), 11-14.
5
David P. Setran and Chris A. Kiesling, "Spiritual Formation in Emerging Adulthood: A Practical
Theology for College and Young Adult Ministry," Baker Academic, (2013): 62-65.
6
James E. Giles, "The Role of Religious Education in Moral Development," Religious Education,
vol. 91, no. 3, (1996): 362-375.
4
moral stages, with each stage characterized by increasingly complex moral
Christian morals and values are transmitted across generations through cultural
processes7. Following what this theory explains, Christian parents and religious
5. Attachment Theory: Attachment theory suggests that young people are more
likely to adopt Christian morals and values if they have secure attachments to
their parents and caregivers8. According to this theory, Christian parents can
These theories provide different perspectives on how Christian morals and values are
transmitted across generations and can help inform strategies for promoting continuity of
7
Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton, "Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual
Lives of American Teenagers," Oxford University Press, (2005): 36-40.
8
Catherine Stonehouse and Scottie May, "Listening to Children on the Spiritual Journey: Guidance
for Those Who Teach and Nurture," Baker Academic, (2010): 73-79.
5
2.2 Concept of Christian Values and Morals
The concept of morals and values generally is based on the religion and
culture that is practiced in that particular society, making what morals and values
means to differ from society to society. Laura Schlessinger a radio host and author
noted that “It is simply impossible for people to be moral without religion or
God”.9
systems, but rather act as limitation on the types of religious beliefs and practices that
emerge within different cultural contexts. As a result, there is a great deal of cultural
variability in the way religious beliefs and practices are expressed and emphasized across
different traditions. For example, some religious traditions may prioritize conformity of
belief (orthodoxy) over conformity of practice (orthopraxy), while others may prioritize
practice over belief. Human predispositions may shape the nature of religious systems,
there is a wide range of cultural variability in the way different religious traditions
express and prioritize their beliefs and practices. It is clear that religion and culture
9
Phil Zuckerman, Society without God (New York, NY: NYU Press, 2008), 45.
10
Laurin, K., & Plaks, J. E. “Religion and punishment: Opposing influences of orthopraxy and
orthodoxy on reactions to unintentional acts.” Social Psychological & Personality Science, 5(7), 835-843.
doi: 10.1177/1948550614523029. 2014.
6
Therefore, Christianity is a religion that emphasizes the importance of values and
morals in the lives of its follower 11. Christianity has its morals and values and it
emphasizes on it and this concept of Christian values and morals is based on the
teachings of Jesus Christ and the principles of the Bible 12. These teachings provide the
foundation for the Christian belief in the importance of values and morals in daily life.
Christians believe in the importance of upholding certain moral standards and living a life
that is reflective of those standards and are meant to guide the behavior of Christians in
their daily lives. There is a need to understand the meaning of Christian values for a
clearer understanding. According to Keller, Christian values are "those beliefs and virtues
that are rooted in and flow from the character of God as revealed in the Bible and
supremely in Jesus Christ."13 McGrath also defines Christian values as "the principles,
beliefs, and attitudes that shape the Christian approach to life and inform Christian
practice."14 Mouw also explains Christian values as "the principles and practices that
shape the lives of those who follow Jesus Christ, including love, compassion, humility,
justice, and integrity"15. All these definitions points to the facts that Christian values aims
at building Christians up to become what the bible says about Jesus Christ.
11
Christianity and Ethics, Available at https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/christianity-ethics/,
Accessed on March 22, 2023.
12
Christian Values: A Quick Introduction, Available at
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/christian-values-a-quick-introduction.html, Accessed on
March 22, 2023.
13
Timothy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage (London, United Kingdom: Penguin Books, 2013), 40.
14
7
Below are some of the Christian values that was taught by the bible and also
1. Love: One of the central teachings of Christianity is the importance of love - love
for God, love for oneself, and love for others. This love is characterized by
taught to forgive others as they have been forgiven by God. This includes
forgiving those who have wronged them, as well as asking for forgiveness when
3. Compassion: Christians are called to show compassion and empathy to those who
are suffering. This includes the poor, the sick, the marginalized, and the
oppressed. Christians are called to stand up for justice and to be a voice for the
voiceless.18
4. Humility: Christians are taught to be humble and to put others before themselves.
truthful in all their dealings, and to avoid deceit and dishonesty. This includes
16
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (New York, U.S.A: Touchstone, 1995), 88.
17
Desmond Tutu, No Future Without Forgiveness (London, U. K: Image, 2000), 31.
18
Philip Yancey, What's So Amazing About Grace? (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1997),
121.
19
Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation (New York, U.S.A: New Directions, 1961), 13.
20
8
Christians are identified with all this values. It is the teachings of Jesus that
Christians believe that should be upheld, though it is believed that it is not the criteria for
salvation but, it is believed that all this must be what must be evident after confessing
Christ as Lord and Savior of any believer. All these beliefs show the person is a Christian
that have come to accept the finished work of Christ Jesus. While morals and values can
be related, they are not the same thing. Morals are concerned with right and wrong, while
values are concerned with what is important or desirable. In other words, morals are
Hence, there is also a need to understand what Christian Morals are. Here are
some definitions of what Christian morals are. Stott describes Christian morals as "the
ethical principles and values which are in conformity with God's will as revealed in the
Bible"21. Bonhoeffer also states that Christian morals are "the ethical directives given to
us by God in Christ, to be obeyed as an expression of our love and faith in him" 22 Willard
defines that Christian morals are "the specific moral demands that flow from a
relationship with God through Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit" 23. These
definitions acknowledge a Supreme Being giving codes of conduct for humans to follow.
It also made clear that the Supreme wants a close relationship with the Human Being and
for this be to made feasible then the human must follow the laid down rules of the
supreme being to be able to have a close relationship with the Supreme Being.
John Stott, The Contemporary Christian (U.S.A: InterVasity Press, 1992), 129.
22
Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives (U.S.A:
Harper One, 1991), 138.
9
Christianity has these morals that is expected to be followed by Christians this Morals are
listed below:
1. Sexual purity: Christianity teaches that sex is reserved for marriage between a
man and a woman. Sexual immorality is considered a sin, and Christians are
2. Respect for life: Christians believe that all life is sacred and should be treated with
respect. This includes unborn life, as well as the lives of the elderly and the
infirm. Christians are called to protect and defend life at all stages.25
3. Integrity: Integrity is an important Christian moral. This means being honest and
upright in all one's dealings, and avoiding behavior that is dishonest or deceitful.26
inappropriate.27
5. Justice: Christians are called to work for justice and to stand up for the oppressed
and marginalized. This includes advocating for fair treatment of all people,
24
Timothy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage (London, United Kingdom: Penguin Books, 2013),
88.
25
Francis Schaeffer, Whatever Happened to the Human Race? (U.S.A: Crossway Books, 1982. 53
26
O. S. Guinness, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life (Nashville:
Thomas Nelson, 2003), 60.
27
Piper, John. "Modesty and the Clothing of Christian Women." Desiring God,
desiringgod.org/articles/modesty-and-the-clothing-of-christian-women. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.
28
Jim Wallis, The Call to Conversion: Why Faith Is Always Personal But Never Private (California,
U.S.A: HarperOne, 2006), 105.
10
All the Christian Morals listed above all point to the need for Christians to Love
God and love their fellow human beings. Christian’s have an obligation to God and to
their environments.
personal, social, and cultural spheres of life. It is worthy of note that the importance of
Christian values and morals extends beyond the Christian community. The following are
the aspect or spheres of life that the importance of Christian values and morals is
reflected.
Christian values and morals have a profound impact on personal development and
well-being. These principles promote virtues such as love, compassion, honesty, humility,
and forgiveness, which are essential for building healthy relationships and a strong
character. Studies have shown that individuals who practice Christian values and morals
tend to have better mental health, lower levels of stress, and a greater sense of purpose in
life.29 Moreover, Christian values and morals help individuals make moral decisions and
resist temptations. They provide a moral compass for navigating the complexities of life,
and they offer hope and comfort during times of trials and tribulations. For example, the
11
2.2.2 Social Importance of Christian Values and Morals
Christian values and morals also have a significant impact on social relationships
and interactions. These principles promote respect for human dignity, justice, fairness,
and social responsibility, which are essential for building harmonious communities and a
just society. They also promote the values of marriage, family, and children, which are
the building blocks of a healthy society. 31 Furthermore, Christian values and morals
promote social harmony and cohesion by fostering a sense of belonging and community.
They encourage individuals to care for one another, to share their resources, and to work
towards the common good. For example, the value of charity encourages individuals to
development and identity. These principles promote the values of truth, beauty, goodness,
and excellence, which are essential for creating a vibrant culture that reflects the dignity
of human beings and the glory of God. They also promote the values of creativity,
innovation, and progress, which are necessary for cultural advancement and
development.33 Moreover, Christian values and morals provide a framework for ethical
decision-making and cultural critique. They enable individuals to discern right from
wrong, to evaluate cultural practices and trends, and to promote cultural renewal and
unforgiveness”, Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 30(4) 2007): 294.
31
J. D. Hunter, To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late
Modern World (England: Oxford University Press 2010), 121.
32
Krause N., “Religious involvement, gratitude, and change in depressive symptoms over time.”
International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 16(2), (2006): 122.
33
C. S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man (England: Oxford University Press 1947), 26.
12
transformation. For example, the value of truth enables individuals to expose falsehood
Research shows that parents play a crucial role in transmitting religious beliefs,
values, and practices to their children. 35 As a result, the family is considered the primary
agent of socialization for religious values and practices, including those of the Christian
faith36. Since the parents of a child is the first person the child relates with, they have a
great deal of influence on the child’s way of Life and it should be the greatest
responsibility of any Christian parent to ensure a continuity of what they believe in the
child or children they have. Here are some of the roles of Christian Parents to ensure a
1. Teach and model Christian values: Christian parents must teach and model
Christian values to their children. As Maxwell writes in his book that, "Parents
must take an active role in passing along values to their children. They must teach
upbringing for their children. As Dobson wrote that "Parents are to provide a
34
O. Guinness, The Gravedigger File: Papers on the Subversion of the Modern Church.
(InterVarsity Press, 1994). 30.
35
M. J. Hendershot, and S. Banghart, “The transmission of religious and spiritual values from
parents to youth.” Journal of Family Issues, 36 (10), (2015): 1363-1390.
37
John Maxwell, Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World (U.S.A: Thomas Nelson, 1994).74
13
nurturing environment for their children in which Christian values are taught,
3. Create a culture of faith in the home: Christian parents must create a culture of
faith in the home. As Evans mentioned that "Parents must create an atmosphere in
the home that is conducive to raising children who love God and follow His
ways"39
4. Pray for their children: Christian parents must pray for their children. As
Omartian writes, "Parents have the power to affect their children's lives through
prayer. Prayer is the key to unlocking God's power in their children's lives"40
5. Lead by example: Christian parents must lead by example. As Jones made known
that "Parents must model Christian behavior for their children. Children learn
more from what their parents do than from what they say"41
dependent on the efforts of parents to instill these values in their children. By being
their children, parents can help ensure that their children maintain a strong Christian faith
SECTION THREE
38
James Dobson, The New Dare to Discipline (Illinois, U.S.A: Tyndale House Publishers, 1992).
27
39
Tony Evans, Raising Kingdom Kids (Illinois, U.S.A: Tyndale House Publishers, 2014). 29
40
Stormie Omartian, The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children (Oregon, U.S.A: Harvest House
Publishers, 2014). 39
41
Jones T. Paul, Family Ministry Field Guide (Indianapolis, U.S.A: Wesleyan Publishing House,
2011), 17.
14
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The research design used was a descriptive method that helped in addressing The
Values and Morals in Christ Apostolic Churches, in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
This study is based on “The Exegesis of Judges 2:10-13 and its Effects on
Generational Continuity of Christian Values and Morals”. The research will be carried out
The research work will be conducted in Christ Apostolic Churches in Ado Ekiti,
Ekiti State.
The research work will use simple sampling procedure to target 200 respondents
The researcher will use the following instruments and methods for data
collections a) Questionnaires will be distributed personally and with the aid of a credible
assistant and 200 copies will be given out to members of the church used as a case study.
b) Oral Interview will be about ten (10) committed members who have been in Church
15
Questionnaires will form the major aspect of this instrument. The questionnaire
will be for member of the Christ Apostolic Churches in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. The
research will visit and make use of the following libraries to consult textbooks, journals,
articles and various materials on The Exegesis of Judges 2:10-13 and its effects on
questionnaires and use interviews and literature to support the responses received.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
16
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Ethics. New York, U.S.A: Touchstone, 1995.
Dobson, James. The New Dare to Discipline. Illinois, U.S.A: Tyndale House Publishers,
1992.
Evans, Tony. Raising Kingdom Kids. Illinois, U.S.A: Tyndale House Publishers, 2014.
Fee, Gordon D and Douglas Stuart, How To Read The Bible For All Its Worth. USA:
Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2003.
Guinness, O. S. The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life.
Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2003.
Guinness, O. S. The Gravedigger File: Papers on the Subversion of the Modern Church,
InterVarsity Press, 1994.
Hunter, J. D. To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity
in the Late Modern World. England: Oxford University Press 2010.
John, Piper. "Modesty and the Clothing of Christian Women." Desiring God,
desiringgod.org/articles/modesty-and-the-clothing-of-christian-women, Accessed
23 Mar. 2023.
Keller, Timothy. The Meaning of Marriage. London, United Kingdom: Penguin Books,
2013.
Koenig, H. G. and Larson, D. B., Handbook of Religion and Health. England: Oxford
University Press, 2001.
17
Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity. California, U.SA: Harper One, 1952.
Maxwell, John. Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World. U.S.A: Thomas Nelson, 1994.
Merton, Thomas. New Seeds of Contemplation. New York, U.S.A: New Directions, 1961.
Omartian, Stormie. The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children. Oregon, U.S.A:
Harvest House Publishers, 2014.
Paul, Jones T. Family Ministry Field Guide. Indianapolis, U.S.A: Wesleyan Publishing
House, 2011.
Schaeffer, Francis. Whatever Happened to the Human Race? U.S.A: Crossway Books,
1982.
Smith, Christian, and Melinda Lundquist Denton, "Soul Searching: The Religious and
Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers," Oxford University Press, 2005.
Stonehouse, Catherine and Scottie May, "Listening to Children on the Spiritual Journey:
Guidance for Those Who Teach and Nurture," Baker Academic, 2010.
Wallis, Jim. The Call to Conversion: Why Faith Is Always Personal But Never Private.
California, U.S.A: HarperOne, 2006.
18
Westerhoff III, John H. Education for Ministry: Renewing the Vision (New York: Church
Publishing, Inc., 2009).
Willard, Dallas. The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives.
U.S.A: Harper One, 1991.
Yancey, Philip. What's So Amazing About Grace? Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan,
1997.
Zuckerman, Phil. Society without God. New York, NY: NYU Press, 2008.
19
EXEGESIS OF JUDGES 2:10-13 AND ITS EFFECTS ON GENERATIONAL
CONTINUITY OF CHRISTIAN VALUES AND MORALS IN CHRIST
APOSTOLIC CHURCHES IN ADO EKITI, EKITI STATE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pages
Title Page ……………………………………………………………………
Faculty Approval Page ………………………………………………..…….
Declaration Page …………………………………………………………….
Acknowledgement …………………………………………………………..
Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………
Abstract ……………………………………..……………………………….
20
CHAPTER THREE: BIBLICAL VIEWS ON GENERATIONAL CONTINUITY
OF CHRISTIAN VALUES AND MORALS
3.1 In the Old Testament
3.2 In the New Testament
3.3 Exegesis of Judges 2:10-13
CHAPTER FOUR: EXEGESIS OF JUDGES 2:10-13 AND ITS EFFECTS ON
GENERATIONAL CONTINUITY OF CHRISTIAN VALUES AND MORALS IN
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCHES IN ADO EKITI, EKITI STATE.
4.1 Brief History of Christ Apostolic Church, worldwide.
4.2 Brief History of Christ Apostolic Church in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
4.3 Identification of Christian values and morals in Christ Apostolic Churches Ado-
Ekiti, Ekiti State
4.4 Possible Causes of Discontinuity of Christian values and morals in Christ
Apostolic Churches Ado Ekiti State.
4.5 Possible Solution to Discontinuity of Christian values and morals in Christ
Apostolic Churches Ado Ekiti State.
4.6 Implications of Judges 2:10-13 on Generational Continuity of Christian values
and morals in CAC in Ado Ekiti.
4.7 Data Presentation and Analysis
21