A theological hermeneutics of justice and kindness in Micah 6 and its implications for leaders of Ogbomoso Baptist Conference

Abstract

The topic of this dissertation is “A Theological Hermeneutics of Justice and Kindness and its Implications for Leaders of Ogbomoso Baptist Conference”. The study was designed to apply the Book of Micah chapter six to solve the problems of injustice, cheating, deprivation of the poor, and neglect of Torah among the community of faith. Injustice is one of the major problems confronting the society because injustice anywhere is a threat to justice and kindness everywhere. The rate of wickedness and violence in the community today is alarming, and this has caused tension. The Book of Micah chapter six is an appropriate solution for the identified problems for individuals and leaders in every capacity. This study aims to examine the biblical concepts of justice, kindness and humility in order to give the biblical understanding of the concepts in promoting justice, peace and kindness among Christians/citizens. The research methodology adopted is eclectic, which includes historical critical and grammatical analysis. This method helps to understand the original meaning of the text, the author, and recipients of the text, while the grammatical method helps to translate from ancient language to the language that the readers will understand. Scholars have worked on Micah and have related it to several issues; yet none of them have related their work to theological hermeneutics of justice and kindness particularly to Ogbomoso Baptist Conference. The research discovered that the complaints of the Israelites against Yahweh’s demand was misunderstood by the Israelites. It was also discovered by the researcher that God is not interested only in religious activities but in an appropriate behavior in line with Torah. God rebuked and called them to repentance through prophet Micah. According to this study, what was demanded from Yahweh for individuals, traditional rulers, the church and religious leaders is what Micah 6:8 summarises into three elements which are to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God which is the most memorable statement in the Old Testament defining a proper relationship with God. It is, hereby, recommended that religious leaders should be advocates of justice and kindness knowing that no evil perpetrator will go unpunished. If this is done, the gap between the rich and the poor will be minimal. Christians have a responsibility to be the promoters of justice, peace, and kindness.