The predicament of man and the manifesto of Christ: Towards a holistic soteriology in Ede land

Abstract

This research work, ‘The Predicament of Man and the Manifesto of Christ: Towards a holistic Soteriology in Ede Land’, examined the dilemma that the entire human race finds herself in due to the fall occasioned by sin. Religious leaders have limited the salvific plan of God for humanity to spiritual affairs alone at the expense of other aspects of the tripartite being. Thus, this research aims to project the soteriology of man as holistic and not one-sided. Contemporary humanity is bedeviled by predicaments holistically, which calls for holistic salvation. A predicament is common in contemporary society; thus, most people are under the bondage of one predicament or the other. Consequently, the predicament in question necessitated the manifesto of Christ as a response to the dilemma. The method adopted in this research is analytical and theological methods coupled with participant observation. The meaning of predicament and manifesto were examined, Isaiah 61: 1-4 and Luke 4: 18-21 were analyzed, and inferences were drawn therein to buttress the manifesto of Christ, which is a panacea to the human predicament. It is a known fact that human predicament is inevitable and, therefore, the need for the manifesto of Christ to respond to those problems. The research discovered that it is indisputable and equivocally clear that Christ’s manifesto attempts to proffer a solution to the human predicament at all levels. Nevertheless, the salvation of Christ should in no way be limited to spiritual issues alone, but rather, it should be all-encompassing. Thus, the primary antidote to the incessant predicament of man is by subscribing to Christ’s manifesto. The research, therefore recommended that Churches and pastors make Christ’s salvation holistic by addressing the body, Spirit and soul. Consequently, Pastors and religious leaders should champion holistic salvation of man from their predicament.