Shunning Favouritism: An Exegetical Examination of James 2: 1-13 and Its Challenges in Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17605/cajssh.v6i2.1176Keywords:
Shunning, Favouritism, Partiality, Church, AfricaAbstract
This paper is an exegetical examination of shunning favouritism in James 2:1-13 and its challenges in Africa. It underscores the negative behaviours or practices that hinder love and harmonious relationship expected to characterize smooth operations in the Christian community, the church as the Body of Christ. Accordingly, the paper highlights some of the major characteristic features of the church by assessing the opinions of some biblical scholars on the subject matter. As the Bible is replete with instances the issue at hand, the paper pointedly and exegetically studies the text of James 2:1-13, while the challenges in Africa were drawn. To this end, some practical recommendations were made, namely, undue respect of persons is sinful because through such practice, unconsciously, with evil thoughts, we become judges of other people, especially as we discriminate among persons based on their perceived status through factors such as social, economic, and political influence; since all men are endowed with great potentials, though, differently gifted/talented, the society may need to acknowledge and respect the contributions of some individuals to her growth and development. However, such honour or appreciation should never be done to the exclusion of those whose contributions are not too visible in order to overcome prejudice. The Church should strive towards striking a balance between loving all people equally, and preventing evil practices/ungodliness in the society. The need to respect the dignity and image of God in all persons should not be seen as license for encouraging or extolling immorality.
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