Christian Response to Igbo Traditional Religion

Christian Response to Igbo Traditional Religion

Some Beliefs about God in Igbo Traditional Religion

- Believes in a supreme God, Chukwu, who created the universe but is now withdrawn and does not actively intervene in human affairs.

- Believes that Chukwu assigned powers to lesser gods and goddesses to regulate various aspects of life.

- Approaches lesser gods and goddesses for their needs, rather than directly approaching Chukwu.

- Believes that Chukwu has established various means for human comfort, survival, and protection, and that humans must access these establishments to resolve problems.

- Utilizes rainmakers and dibia (herbalists and diviners) to control the weather and diagnose and treat spiritual ailments.

- Does not attribute misfortunes directly to Chukwu's will, but rather to wrath of the gods and failing to utilize the established means of problem-solving. 

The plight of Igbo Traditional Religion is captured by the superstition encountered by Paul in Athen during his evangelistic outreach as recorded in the passage below:

Acts 17:22-31

[22]Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

[23]For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

[24]God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

[25]Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

[26]And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

[27]That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

[28]For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

[29]Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

[30]And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

[31]Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Christian Beliefs about God

While Christians respect the Igbo Traditional Religion's belief in a supreme God, we believe that God is actively involved in human affairs and desires a personal relationship with each person (Psalm 138:8, Isaiah 46:10). Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity, and that direct access to God is possible through faith in Him (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 11:6).

God is the ultimate source of comfort, survival, and protection, and that our problems can be solved through prayer and faith in Him (Psalm 118:8-9, Jeremiah 17:5-7). God is the ultimate healer and provider, and that our physical and spiritual needs can be met through faith in Him (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 9:1-2). He has also made healing and health available through health eating, healthy lifestyles, natural medicine, and orthodox medicine. 

Misfortunes are ultimately as a result of sin and separation from God, and that reconciliation with God is possible through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23-24, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Misfortunes are also as a result of lack of attention to divinely established principles. Satan is the orchestrator of many misfortunes. 

The Limitations of Igbo Traditional Religion

The concept of a withdrawn God who is not actively involved in human affairs as believed by traditionalists raises questions about the nature of God's sovereignty and love (Psalm 138:8, Isaiah 46:10). If God is not directly involved in human lives, how can He be truly all-powerful and all-loving (Daniel 4:35, Acts 17:28)?

Indirect Worship and Intermediaries

The Igbo high god is not worshipped directly, which contradicts the biblical mandate to worship God alone (Exodus 20:3, Deuteronomy 6:13). Jesus taught us to pray directly to God (Matthew 6:9-13), and Scripture emphasizes direct access to God through faith (Hebrews 11:6, Ephesians 3:12). The reliance on lesser gods and spirits for everyday needs fragments the divine and diminishes God's power (Isaiah 44:6-20, 1 Corinthians 8:5-6).

Misfortune and God's Sovereignty

The Igbo attribute misfortune to lesser spirits or human failure, not God's direct will. However, this view contradicts the biblical understanding of God's sovereignty (Job 42:11, Isaiah 45:7) and providence (Romans 8:28). Scripture teaches that God is actively involved in human affairs, even in trials and tribulations (James 1:2-4, Isaiah 45:7).

The Igbo Approach to Problem-Solving

The Nsukka man did not approach the Almighty God directly when faced with a problem. Instead, they relied on intermediaries and spirits, which contradicts the biblical teaching of directly accessing God through prayer and faith (Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 3:12). The reliance on rainmakers, dibia, and elemental spirits for solutions (Point 6) is inconsistent with the biblical mandate to rely solely on God (Psalm 118:8-9, Jeremiah 17:5-7).

A Biblical Understanding of God

In contrast to the Igbo concept of God, the Christian God is a personal God who actively engages with humanity, offering salvation, comfort, and guidance through a direct relationship (John 17:3, Galatians 4:9). Jesus Christ bridges the gap between God and humanity, making it possible for humans to approach God directly through prayer and faith (Matthew 6:9-13, Hebrews 11:6).

Testimonies from Extrabiblical Source 

The Igbo Traditional Religion presents a fragmented and limited understanding of God, which is inconsistent with the unified and personal God revealed in Christianity. Historically, the Igbo people have been influenced by various cultural and religious traditions, including animism and polytheism (Basden, 1921). However, these belief systems are insufficient to explain the complexities of human experience and the nature of God (Achebe, 1958).

Philosophically, the Igbo Traditional Religion falls short of the standards of coherence and rationality that are essential for a robust understanding of God (Aquinas, 1273). The reliance on intermediaries and spirits is inconsistent with the principle of causality and the laws of nature (Aristotle, 350 BCE).

Theologically, the Igbo Traditional Religion lacks the depth and richness of the Christian doctrine of God, which is rooted in the Trinity and the incarnation of Jesus Christ (Augustine, 415 CE). The Christian God is a God of love, justice, and mercy, who is actively involved in human affairs (Anselm, 1077).

Literarily, the Igbo Traditional Religion is often depicted in Igbo literature as a complex and multifaceted belief system, but one that is ultimately inadequate to explain the human condition (Achebe, 1958). In contrast, Christian literature and poetry have consistently testified to the power and beauty of the Christian vision of God (Dante, 1320).

Conclusion

The Igbo concept of God and spirituality has cultural significance but it falls short of the rich and personal relationship offered through Christianity. The Christian God is a God who cares, intervenes, and loves humanity personally, making prayer a vital and meaningful aspect of the Christian life (Psalm 138:8, Isaiah 46:10).

References

Achebe, C. (1958). Things Fall Apart. London: Heinemann.

Aquinas, T. (1273). Summa Theologica.

Aristotle (350 BCE). Metaphysics.

Anselm (1077). Proslogion.

Augustine (415 CE). De Trinitate.

Basden, G. T. (1921). Among the Ibos of Nigeria.

Dante (1320). The Divine Comedy.

- Basden (1921): George Thomas Basden was a British missionary who wrote about the Igbo people and their beliefs in his book "Among the Ibos of Nigeria".

- Achebe (1958): Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist who wrote the classic novel "Things Fall Apart", which explores Igbo culture and traditions.

- Aquinas (1273): Thomas Aquinas was a medieval philosopher and theologian who wrote the influential work "Summa Theologica".

- Aristotle (350 BCE): Aristotle was a Greek philosopher who wrote extensively on metaphysics, ethics, and other topics.

- Anselm (1077): Anselm of Canterbury was a medieval philosopher and theologian who wrote the famous work "Proslogion", which explores the nature of God.

- Augustine (415 CE): Augustine of Hippo was a Christian theologian and philosopher who wrote extensively on the Trinity and other theological topics.

- Dante (1320): Dante Alighieri was an Italian poet who wrote the epic poem "The Divine Comedy", which explores themes of love, sin, and redemption.