Doing Ministry in the Igbo Context: African Bible & Theology Study Book for Pastors, Scholars & Students - Perfect for Seminary Courses, Church Leadership Training & Cultural Research

Prof. Dr. Paul B. Steffen, SVD I read the review and the book. I am not sure if the review was actually written by Prof. Steffen or if the author wrote the review and Dr. Steffen just endorsed the reviewHere are some of my critiques of the bookDOING MINISTRY IN THE IGBO CONTEXT,TOWARDS AN EMERGING MODEL AND METHOD FOR THE CHURCH IN AFRICA, BY EBUZIEM, CAJETAN ESince the Igbo society is the heart of Christianity and Catholicism in Africa, I am using Igboland as my situational context. The exploration of indigenous Igbo value of collaboration will be an advantage in ministering to the rest of the African people who have cultural resemblances to Igbos. The African Church has to learn from Igbo values of `umunna bu ike'. Since `umunnna', as we shall find out is the basic Igbo unit, it may be the most powerful missionary force in Igboland and could be an Igbo gift to the Church in Nigeria and Africa, and even beyond. However, use of the Igbo people and culture as a missionary force for the rest of Africa will not be easy".I was intrigued by the title of the article and could not help but laugh at the statements "Since the Igbo society is the heart of Christianity and Catholicism in Africa"The African Church need not learn from my Lord and Savior teachings but from "The African Church has to learn from Igbo values of `umunna bu ike'. Since `umunnna', as we shall find out is the basic Igbo unit, it may be the most powerful missionary force in Igboland and could be an Igbo gift to the Church in Nigeria and Africa, and even beyond. However, use of the Igbo people and culture as a missionary force for the rest of Africa will not be easy"."I do not know if the writer is an Anglo, a Nigerian or Igbo. Nor if the writer is aware of other Christian denominations in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. Also if he is aware of other ethnic groups who are Christians in Nigeria.The writer also failed to mention anything about the Osu caste system among the Igbos. Traditionally, there are two classes of people in Igboland - the Nwadiala and the Osu. - See more at: [...]The Nwadiala literally meaning `sons of the soil'. They are the masters while the Osu are the people dedicated to the gods; so they are regarded as slaves, strangers, outcasts and untouchables - See more at: [...]Also failed to mention any efforts being done to eradicate this system by Igbo Christians who are to lead"The African Church has to learn from Igbo values of `umunna bu ike'A vote against discriminatory practices in the name of Osu caste in south east Nigeria. Osu caste system is an obnoxious practice among the Igbo in south east Nigeria which has refused to go away despite the impact of Christianity, education and civilization, and the human rights culture. Many people have condemned the system which has traumatized many innocent people but the problem persists. But one fact is that the Osu system of discrimination is an outdated tradition with no basis for its continued practice and observance in the contemporary Igbo society. Traditionally, there are two classes of people in Igboland - the Nwadiala and the Osu. - See more at: [...]References; [...]I hope the writer will take time to learn about other ethnic groups who are also Christians and Catholics in Nigeria and Africa before believing and endowing the Igbo Christians as paragon of value to be emulated by other ethnic groups in Nigeria. More importantly, what the Igbo Christians are doing to eradicate the Osu caste system among the Igbos.1. BBC NEWS | Africa | the story of Nigeria's 'untouchables'[...]o CachedApr 7, 2009 - Among the Igbo people of eastern Nigeria the Osu are outcasts, the equivalent of being an "untouchable". Years ago he and his family would ...[...]Sincerely