Theses and Dissertations
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Item debt-slavery laws(Africa International University, 2020-11) Kirui Kiprotich AlbertThis paper analyzes religious elements in Judges 17 that are contrary to the instruction of Yahweh in the Torah. This chapter paints a picture of syncretism where the characters worship Yahweh in the wrong way by incorporating other borrowed forms of religious practices. The pattern of the curse made by the mother of Micah follows the common understanding of cursing among the neighbors of the Israelites. The dedication of silver to make a carved and cast image in the name of worshipping Yahweh violates the ten commandments. The ordination of the non-Levitical priest failed to observe the appointment rules in the Torah. Micah’s confidence in the Levite for prosperity conforms to the pattern outside Levitical laws. These patterns fall outside the Torah but have more in common with practices among the Canaanites, though in some cases there is more clear evidence of syncretism than in others. The implication is that there is the worship of Yahweh in the wrong way.Item factors affecting financial performance of deposit taking microfinance institutions in Nairobi county(Africa International University, 2020-11) Mwangi Paul M.The purpose of this study was to examine the factors affecting Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions’ financial performance in Nairobi County. Research was guided by the following research objectives: Does technological innovation affect microfinance institutions performance in Nairobi; Does accountability in leadership affect microfinance institutions performance in Nairobi; Does leadership structure affect microfinance institutions performance in Nairobi; Does capital structure affect microfinance institutions performance in Nairobi? The study adopted a quantitative research methodology and a descriptive design. The target population was 132 from which a sample of 132 was to be selected through a census method. A Likert scale type questionnaire was used to collect data from the subjects. This was distributed by the researcher to twelve DTMFIs within Nairobi County with an exclusion of one which requested not to be part of the study. A sample of 103 participants out of the 132 took part in the study. The findings revealed that technological innovation has significant (β=.192, while p = 0.018) relationship with financial performance of DTMFIs in Nairobi County. Further the findings revealed that leadership accountability has no significant (β= -.028, whereas p = .324) relationship with financial performance of DTMFIs in Nairobi County. In addition, the findings revealed that leadership styles has significant (β=.350, while p = 0.002) relationship with financial performance of DTMFIs in Nairobi County. Lastly the findings revealed that resource allocation has a significant (β=.344, while p = 0.002) relationship with financial performance of DTMFIs in Nairobi County.Item examination of 1 Corinthians 14:33b–35 in relation to women’s ministry in church(Africa International University, 2020-10) Ponga Fednarnd MwamburiThis study examined I Cor 14:33b–35 in its context, to determine its meaning and how it relates to our contemporary context as far as women’s involvement in church ministry is concerned. It has come up with the following findings and conclusions. The first one is that the instructions were given in the context of the disorderly conduct of the Corinthian believers during worship and the prevailing socio-cultural realities. Secondly, they were not forbidding every kind of speech by women in the church but only that kind of speech which was considered to be disruptive to orderly worship and disrespectful to their husbands and the church leaders, hence undermining the biblical expectation of women being in submission. It also refers to speech which was considered as shameful within the norms of the Greco-Roman culture. Therefore, it is the position of this thesis that the instructions in 1 Cor 14:33b 35 should not be taken across the board to forbid every kind of speaking by women in church or to bar them from active involvement in church ministry. Doing so is to disregard the principles of biblical interpretation by overlooking the literary and socio-cultural context of the passage. It will also imply disregarding the various socio cultural contexts of contemporary churches. So this thesis concludes that in view of what Paul says earlier in this epistle and other relevant NT passages, women are equally gifted by the Holy Spirit and they have a right to exercise these gifts in church even in the presence of men as long as they do so in an orderly manner and they remain submissive and respectful to their husbands and church leaders. Order and communal edification during worship are what should be upheld by believers everywhere because our God is a God of order and not confusion. Hence, we should seek to manifest that character in our worship.Item identifying false teachers in the church today on the basis of 2 peter 2(Africa International University, 2020-10) Malusi Dionysius MuthokaThe objective of this exegetical study is to identify false teachers in the church today with reference to 2 Peter 2. The study makes Christians to be aware of some characteristics of false teachers today who come to us in sheep’s clothing while they are wolves to damage the faith of the believers. The exegesis outlines some of the characteristics of false teachers as heretics in their teachings, popular, greedy for power and material wealth, sensual, rebels against the authority and they are slaves to the sins they preach against. They give hope where there is no hope by promising what they cannot deliver. The study also assures judgment as God did not spare the angels who rebelled against Him, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were not spared but consumed with fire, and the wicked people of Noah’s time were consumed by floods. He will not spare the false teachers together with those led astray. As God will judge the false teachers and their followers, He will spare those who practice the true religion and are faithful followers of the truth. The study helps Christians beware of the tricks of the false teachers into believing that they are angels of light while they are wolves in sheep skins. Believers have a responsibility to judge the false teachers by their doctrine and lifestyle and like the Berean church, they are to search from the Scriptures the truth of what the false teachers are teaching. When the church is aware of how to expose false teachers and their teachings, the spread of their influence will be minimized. The church cannot know who they are and what they teach without having a knowledge of the word of God. The antidote of protection against false teachings is to know the truth of the word of God.Item divorce and remarriage(Africa International University, 2020-10) King’oo Philip KimitiThe research aimed at examining the theme: “Divorce and Remarriage”, with a focus to Paul’s teachings to Corinthian congregation in 1 Corinthians 7:10–16. To arrive at sound biblical teaching, a careful exegesis was done with consideration to Paul’s cultural context. A considerable consultation was done on modern scholarship on the subject. It was found that the passage primarily teaches against divorce for whatever reason. To the believers, Paul cites Christ’s command which is for all time ages and anti-divorce. But for some cases, he suggests that separation can be sought after, though not a rule, which he further notes that it should be followed by reconciliation. The text does not explicitly state the duration for separation, but the researcher argued that it should be short/long enough to bring healing and reconciliation to the ailing union. In the interpretation, it was suggested that it should be the church’s responsibility to see that healing takes place within a short period, as possible. Complete breaking of marriage is highly prohibited in this passage for believers. For Christians in mixed marriages, the passage teaches that, the believing spouse is also bound by Christ’s rule of no divorce. The believing spouse cannot instigate divorce against his or her unbelieving partner. Paul first viewed the believing spouse as a sanctifier of his or her non-believing partner. Secondly the believers in such marriages would confer holiness to their children born in such wedlock. However, Paul clearly stated that the believer could receive divorce thrust against his/her wish by the unbelieving party. In such cases Paul stated that the believer is “not bound”, a term which was taken to mean that the believer was free from keeping marriage obligations with the departed spouse. In other words, the believer was not under bondage/slavery to contest for remain of unbeliever who had relentlessly expressed desire to opt out. Accepting the unbeliever’s choice would not make them fall short of Christ’s command, “do not divorce”. It was also concluded that, remarriage after desertion was not explicitly depicted from the text. Furthermore, it was asserted that, since Paul’s desire for the unmarried and widows would be to remain chaste, then it would have been more likely that he desired the same for the divorced believer.Item determinants of financial resource management system in the Africa gospel church(Africa International University, 2020-11) Chumek Paul KipkemoiThis study evaluated determinants of financial resource management system in the Africa Gospel Church, Siongiroi Region, in Bomet County. The author believed that the nature of management given to available organizational resources contributes to either success or failure in carrying out its mission. The general guiding objective for the study was to evaluate determinants of financial resource management system in the local church. Specific objectives were; to establish the influence of personnel proficiency skills, to examine the influence of budgeting and financial controls, to investigate the influence of the church leadership roles on financial resource management system, and to determine the status level of the local church on financial resource management system. The budgetary theory, financial control theory, and the agency theory provided theoretical base for the study. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The study targeted a population of one hundred and eighteen (118) people that comprised 54 District Leaders, 54 treasurers, 9 Area Directors and one Regional Director. Population sample size for the study was 36 respondents where simple random sampling method was applied to identify respondents. Purposive sampling was applicable for the Regional Director only. Data collection instruments were structured questionnaires. Field work authorization documents comprising of introduction letters, approval and permit were sought from all the relevant authorities (AIU, IERB, NACOSTI). Collected data were processed, analyzed and stored electronically. Descriptive and inferential statistics methods were used to analyze data and information generated was tabulated by use of frequencies, mean and percentages. The results were presented using both statistical and graphical techniques. The study findings revealed that the church had a wealth of experienced personnel in the ministry where majority of them were volunteers in ministry. The respondents exceeding 50% did not have the required technical skills necessary for financial resource management. The church carried out financial resource management activities like budgeting, goals setting and evaluation, documenting, auditing and reporting though not to recommended standard. The church’s status level of financial resource management system, on a percentage scale, stood at around 50%. The study recommended that church personnel be given in-service training on basic technical skills on management of financial resources in the church. The church to employ full-time service workforce. The church to utilize experts’ services for objectivity, building trust, quality results and to improve performance standards on financial activities like auditing. This study informs the church leadership on aspects of financial resource management. It provides information for further research work. If recommendations are adopted, they will facilitate financial resource management system function, sustainability of resources, preparations of strategic plans, preparation of financial policies and promote general growth of the local church.Item an intertextual study of the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:1–16//Ezekiel 34:23–31 and 37:15–28)(Africa International University, 2020-11) Lonu Budha VictorThis study focuses on the Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7 and Ezekiel 34 and 37. The appearance of David in the text of Ezekiel raises the question of whether the text of Samuel might have influenced that of Ezekiel. The study thus undertakes a careful examination of these texts and argues that this is indeed the case. This influence is treated from literary, theological, and conceptual points of view. Following an exegetical study of the texts under consideration, an intertextual approach is adopted in this research. Intertextuality is the suitable methodology for this study since it enables one to establish connections between the texts of study. Its benefit for this study also resides in the fact that the text of 2 Samuel 7 is prior to that of Ezekiel 34 and 37. The influence of 2 Samuel 7 on Ezekiel 34 and 37 sheds light on our understanding of the significance of the Davidic ruler in Ezekiel. The Davidic Covenant is an important biblical concept; it encompasses YHWH’s plan not only for the Jewish people, but also for the whole of humanity. It also provides a model of leadership that pleases YHWH. Accordingly, the findings from the study will give room for application in African countries. Considering the implications of the study for the African context, the study will emphasize Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the Davidic promises of Ezekiel 34 and 37. The African church today swears allegiance to Jesus as King while carrying out her prophetic mission within a fallen world filled with corrupt leadershipItem effects of divorce in the church(Africa International University, 2020-11-23) Simiyu Elias JumaThe church is expected to contribute to the stable marriage and the church needs to ensure it has placed measures in place that will reduce the rate of divorce as much as possible. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of divorce in the selected churches of CITAM in Kenya. The research was guided by the following research questions: To what extent is divorce prevalent in Christ Is The Answer Ministries? To what extent do Biblical teachings influence the decisions for divorce for the members of Christ Is The Answer Ministries? What role does Christ Is The Answer Ministries play in the reduction of divorce in the church? What are the possible causes of divorce in Christ is the Answer Ministries? What are some of the ways to prevent divorce at Christ is the Answer ministries? The study adopted qualitative research methods to obtain in-depth information on the situation. The study used a descriptive research design and the target population of the research was 100 church members who have undergone the divorce, from which the researcher was able to obtain a sample of 27 participants through the Saturated sampling technique. The data was collected using interviews. The data was analysed using QDA miner lite 2.0.7. The data was presented using tables and charts. The recommendations: 1. The church needs to diversify means in which its members are empowered on how to embrace God’s teaching much more than their tradition or culture so that it doesn’t determine their day to day lives, to an extent of breaking the marital vows as the vows are more binding than the tradition. 2. The church members are aware of the biblical teaching that discourages them from divorce, the church needs to diversify means by which they live according to God’s word which is the pillar for every marriage. 3. The church needs to improve its premarital counseling as this is the building block of marriage and more importantly improve and provide support for the existing marriages. This can be done by coming up with structures to support troubled marriages, preaching on how to cultivate the existing marriages and families, and also recognizing the existence of divorcees in the congregation and intentionally walking with them without pointing fingers at them. Divorcees should also be allowed to serve in church since some of them are gifted and have a passion for ministry. The church should also intentionally have professional counselors who have experience in marital issues and who will not mislead those who come for help in the church. 4. The church needs to develop programs that can support the church members who find themselves in troubled marriages by coming up with counseling programs to be able to identify with the affected church members.Item Identifying False Teachers In the Church Today On the Basis of 2 Peter 2(Africa International University, 2020-10) Dionysius Muthoka MalusiThe objective of this exegetical study is to identify false teachers in the church today with reference to 2 Peter 2. The study makes Christians to be aware of some characteristics of false teachers today who come to us in sheep’s clothing while they are wolves to damage the faith of the believers. The exegesis outlines some of the characteristics of false teachers as heretics in their teachings, popular, greedy for power and material wealth, sensual, rebels against the authority and they are slaves to the sins they preach against. They give hope where there is no hope by promising what they cannot deliver. The study also assures judgment as God did not spare the angels who rebelled against Him, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were not spared but consumed with fire, and the wicked people of Noah’s time were consumed by floods. He will not spare the false teachers together with those led astray. As God will judge the false teachers and their followers, He will spare those who practice the true religion and are faithful followers of the truth. The study helps Christians beware of the tricks of the false teachers into believing that they are angels of light while they are wolves in sheep skins. Believers have a responsibility to judge the false teachers by their doctrine and lifestyle and like the Berean church, they are to search from the Scriptures the truth of what the false teachers are teaching. When the church is aware of how to expose false teachers and their teachings, the spread of their influence will be minimized. The church cannot know who they are and what they teach without having a knowledge of the word of God. The antidote of protection against false teachings is to know the truth of the word of GodItem A philosophical study on the influence of the intelligent design of the brain to prove God’s existence by theology graduates in CITAM assemblies, Nairobi, Kenya(Africa International University, 2020-07-31) Judith Nyanchama NyarangiThe examination of explicit arguments and prospects to proof the existence or non-existence of God is necessary in these contemporary times, to help bring non-believers and atheists to faith. This conversation and argument frequently springs up in religious forums and especially in theological spaces. The study investigated the influence of the intelligent brain design on theology graduates to prove God’s existence in CITAM churches, Nairobi Kenya. The study focused on the structure, material, and functions of the human brain. The researcher argued that proving the existence or non-existence of God is necessary in these contemporary times, to help bring non-believers and atheists to faith. This is especially critical in Christ is the Answer Ministries, whose mission is “To know God and to make Him known through evangelism and discipleship.” The research objectives include: (1) to establish the influence of the intelligent brain structure in proving God’s existence by theology graduates in CITAM assemblies, Nairobi Kenya; (2) to examine the influence of intelligent brain material in proving God’s existence by graduates of theology in CITAM assemblies, Nairobi Kenya; and, (3) to evaluate the influence of the intelligent function of the brain in proving God’s existence by graduates of theology in CITAM assemblies, Nairobi Kenya. A review of literature established that the existence of an intelligent brain structure, material and functions points to a Supernatural Being, God. It revealed that the brain is the organ that discerns what is real, which means that the brain perceives God, or pure consciousness, to be more real than anything else. The target population for this research included graduates of theological studies from various church institutions in Nairobi area. A qualitative descriptive research was used through standardized open - ended interview questions. To select the appropriate categories of respondents, theoretical-purposive sampling was used for selecting 50 participants. The researcher thematically analysed the responses from the respondents, which provided for an inductive process of the researcher building from the data to broad themes to a generalized model or theory. The study revealed that graduate students of theology are knowledgeable about intelligent brain theories. They perceive the brain structure, material, and function as evidences of God’s existence. They are confident about using the concept of intelligent brain design to defend the existence of God to achieve CITAM’s mission statement of making the one eternal God known through evangelism and discipleship.