BIBLICAL APPLICATION OF ZOOMORPHISM AND THE ZOOLOGICAL COMPOSITION OF AN AFRICAN INDIGENOUS CHURCH IN THE NEW NORMAL

Abstract

The engagement of the principles of biblical hermeneutics helps immensely in the interpretation of the Bible despite historical, linguistic, philosophical, geographical and cultural gaps. Zoomorphism is one of the figurative expressions in the Bible which is a way of apportioning animalistic characteristics, whether to a person, god, or inanimate object. Scholars have endeavoured anthropomorphism but there has been little or no work on zoomorphic expressions in the Bible in relation to the animalistic tendencies exhibited by members of the church. The study by extension borrowed a zoological concept to figuratively portray the inimicality of the cohabitation of the sheep of Christ and the wild animals in the church today, especially in Christ Apostolic Church (CAC); one of the foremost African Indigenous Churches in Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive and hermeneutical approaches as data were collected through some qualitative research apparatuses and contextually analysed. Observably, those in the pastoral ministry are faced with the challenges emanating from the perceived zoological composition of the church which has eventually translated their being “shepherds” into “zookeepers;” and conversely, predators of the sheep. The paper concludes that, for CAC pastors to translate or cope with this wrong image, they must master the art of shepherding; understand the effect of social change upon the congregation; engage the potency of the word of God; and, be ready for personal development in order to justify the essence of their divine call as they face the reality of the new normal.