A STUDY OF PROVERBS 23:29-35 AND THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLISM IN NIGERIAN SOCIETY: THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Alcohol has many usage and contrasting connotations. A glass of wine with a meal can symbolize Love, friendship, relaxation and enjoyment of a special occasion. It can represent romance, coming of age, success, beginnings and endings, good news and good company. At a Christian Eucharist or Jewish Passover, where wine is also shared, thanks are given to God for divine salvation from all that were enslaved, restricted and condemned. In drinking the wine, Christians participate with the first disciples in their Last Supper with Christ, and Jews participate with the ancient Hebrews in their exodus from enslavement in Egypt. In African tradition, wine is used to portray a relationship and communion between the living human and ancestors, deities and other supernatural entities. This is evidence in covenant establishment, oath taking, daily ritual of libation, burial and institution of shrines and altars. Also in marriage ceremonies, the usage of alcoholic wine is indispensible even against the vehement opposition of Pentecostal churches in Africa with Nigeria as typical example. Ekwe (2000) stated that apart from water and wind, wine is another integral and indispensible part of African life and living. The presence is felt in almost all the activities of African customs and traditions ranging from burials, rituals, marriages, oath takings, covenant establishments, meetings, hospitalities, evening relaxation to all forms of their daily activities. Unfortunately, the sacredness and redemptiveness of these occasions contrast with the association of alcohol with drunken violence in our towns and cities, cirrhosis of the liver on our medical wards, debts in families, death on our roads and numbers of fights in families. It contrasts more especially with the enslavement, which is alcoholism or alcohol addiction. This contrasting nature of alcoholic drink is clearly revealed in different chapters and verses of the Hebrew Scripture, the Old Testament. Serious warnings were placed on the need to avoid addiction and lust towards alcoholic wine. At some instances, some people were strictly warned not to taste alcoholic wine or partake in meals that have connection with alcohol. For instance, Nazarites like Samson in Judges 13:7, Princes in Proverbs 31:4 and the Rechabite family in Jeremiah 35 were in this category. The book of Proverbs 23:29-35 which is the case study of this research work pointed out and analyze the state, condition and ordeals of an alcoholic drinker and the problem of addiction even in this contemporary era. In more purely statistical and objective terms, alcohol misuse is a contemporary social problem of enormous economic significance, which exacts a high toll of human suffering as a result of the social, psychological and medical harms to which it gives rise. Alcohol related morbidity and mortality are high in most parts of the world, and in many developing nations like Nigeria, alcohol consumption and its concomitant harms are on the increase. Yet, moderate alcohol consumption is tolerated, enjoyed and encouraged, with the majority of the adult population being drinkers of alcohol in almost all countries other than those with an Islamic culture. What are we to make of these observations? It is easy to project blame to a safe distance by arguing that they are the responsibility of other people‟s plights or forces beyond our control. Government, industries and moderate drinkers can blame a majority of irresponsible citizens for their excesses. The beverage alcohol industry can easily be blamed for promoting a product which causes so much harm. Or else, the product itself can be blamed and made subject of prohibition, on the basis that everyone would be better if it were not consumed at all in civilized society.
Perhaps no one needs to be to blame at all. Rather than blaming people for being irresponsible whether either as drinkers or promoters of alcoholic beverage, Cook (2003) argued that maybe the problem is better understood more in terms of disease. Perhaps some people are exceptionally vulnerable because of a disease of some kind, in such a way that alcohol causes them harm, and through them harms other people too. The nature of this disease is complex. It might be understood as a disease affecting the moral and spiritual nature of human beings in such a way as to impair their judgment, self control and integrity in a far more fundamental way. And, at risk of over-simplifying things and jumping ahead of the argument, this disease might be called alcoholism or addiction.
Therefore, viewing alcoholism or addiction as a disease or rather cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of individual lives and society at large, one has to provide medication that will give permanent cure to this disease or reduce it to the bearest minimum in our society. One obvious fact which is glaring is the application of diverse curative methods to halt the pandemic nature of alcohol addiction which many have failed. For instance, laws have been made in different societies against alcoholic drinking, like in many Islamic states, which proved abortive because people devise diverse means to fall back to the pit of addiction. Again different alcoholic producing companies have been banned from production and advertising alcoholic drinks, but local production of alcohol serve as alternative means, therefore making the former ineffective.
However, the Hebrew Scripture offers principles, precepts and admonitions which strict observation, adherence and application of these, will bring the menace of alcoholism in the society to a halt. The reason remains that the Scripture touches the heart of man and answers diverse questions in the inner man. Edward (2000) observed that while human laws address immediate issues and challenges of man which solutions are temporal, the Scripture touches the remote (the root) of the same issues, offering a permanent solution. So the problem of alcoholism is not different from other issues which the Scripture has offered permanent solution.
This research work will showcase and analyze issues associated with alcohol and alcoholism using the Scriptural tool presented in Proverbs 23:29-35. Among all the books in the Bible that talked about alcohol, the book of Proverbs in different chapters and verses (Proverbs 23:20-21, 20:1) made many comments on the issue of wine and alcohol. But among these chapters, Proverbs 23:29-35 has the longest context, therefore stands as the most appropriate exegetical tool to treat the issue of alcoholism. Lessons drawn from this text will be applied to the Nigeria society with regards to alcoholism. Placing the Bible text on the Nigeria situation, solution will be offered.
1.2 Statement of the Problems
There is no issue of greater concern in our society today, whether it is to health, industry, state or church, national or family life, than that of alcohol and its effects. The knowledge that scientific research, history and human observation revealed has proved clearly that alcoholism is a problem which must be undertaken from different approaches. No one attitude or objective field of service can operate independently with complete success.
The level of alcohol addiction in Nigeria is growing in a geometric speed and the consumption percentage is very alarming. Amadi (2010) observed that every street in Onitsha, Anambra State, has about three to five bars and drinking centers. The number of crates of beer consumed in a day, especially on Sunday, calls for higher supply to alcoholic producing companies and on the other side of the coin, calls for a social rethink. Wondering on the increasing craves for alcoholic drink, one will foresee the corresponding health, psychological, social and economical dangers it poses to our nation Nigeria. This case is similar to the problem of HIV/AIDs because it is either one is infected or affected. Therefore, everyone is involved in this issue and thereby requires general attention. Besides, the woes that betide victims of alcoholism like cases of family separation, psychological trauma, serious health issue, financial bankruptcy, several road accidents and deaths have never served as a deterrent to up coming alcoholic drinker. The more people are affected, the more the quest for “mixed wine”.
Also the taste and nature of many alcoholic drinks in Nigeria awake the mind to critical questions. It is has been observed that different brands of beer in Nigeria are very bitter and gins are very hot, yet the rate of consumption is too high and unbearable. The evidence is quiet glaring in different bars and joints where a single individual consumes a crate of beer or even more, staggering home without counting the cost both financially and health wise.
Therefore critical questions arise: what are the principal factors responsible for the high consumption of alcohol in our society? Are there measures taken to curb this social menace and what result have they yielded? If those measures or steps taken to checkmate this ill proved abortive, what is the cause? Who bears causative responsibility for alcoholic problems, the producers or the promoters or the consumers? If previous measures to arrest alcoholism have failed, are there new measures that can be applied or added to the failed one in order to achieve a solid and lasting result? What is the role of the church to combat this evil betiding our society if other institutions have failed in their attempts? The researcher saw these existing states of affairs as societal hurdles that require a tactical approach. These questions are great challenges and mathematical puzzles if left unsolved will foster the increase of this social ill. This research work to a reasonable extent analyzes these issues and offers solutions.
1.3 Objective of the Study
The purpose of this study is to take a critical cum exegetical approach to the book of Proverbs 23:29-35 which discusses critically issues associated with alcohol and alcoholism and apply it to the Nigeria situation in order to offer workable solutions. In other words, the problem of alcohol has been known for decades starting from the time of Noah, down to the time of Solomon who gave this instruction concerning alcohol, so the Nigerian situation is not new. If the Scripture offered solution then, this work will apply it to the contemporary Nigerian situation with the intention to bring solutions also.
vreyro linomit says
Hi there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the great work!
MarcosHar says
tadalafil gel: http://tadalafilonline20.com/ tadalafil 60 mg for sale
Wesleycoums says
tadalafil online 20 tadalafil tablets
tadalafil tablets
JasonAllop says
generic drugs without doctor’s prescription: https://genericwdp.com/ buy cheap prescription drugs online
Randynat says
generic pills pills without a doctor prescription
JasonAllop says
india pharmacy mail order generic drugs without doctor’s prescription
Randynat says
buy medication without an rx: https://genericwdp.com/ cheap generic drugs from india
Waynenem says
online doctor prescription for viagra generic viagra walmart
when will viagra be generic
Jasontuppy says
order viagra online best over the counter viagra
viagra over the counter walmart
Waynenem says
best place to buy viagra online viagra without a doctor prescription usa
viagra over the counter walmart
Jasontuppy says
order viagra online where to buy viagra
buy generic 100mg viagra online
Jasontuppy says
viagra online usa buy viagra online canada
over the counter viagra
Waynenem says
best over the counter viagra viagra without a doctor prescription
viagra over the counter
Jasontuppy says
where to buy viagra buy viagra online canada
100mg viagra
Jasontuppy says
viagra from india buy viagra online canada
100mg viagra
Waynenem says
where to buy viagra online doctor prescription for viagra
generic viagra walmart
Waynenem says
viagra amazon buy viagra online usa
viagra 100mg price
RicardoFaw says
diflucan rx coupon diflucan generic price
hims ed pills
Michaelsax says
http://diflucanfavdr.com/ – where can you get diflucan over the counter
male ed drugs
RicardoFaw says
buy diflucan prescription med diflucan canada coupon
impotence pills
Michaelsax says
http://diflucanfavdr.com/ – diflucan 150 mg over the counter
ed medication
RicardoFaw says
price of viagra https://viagrapills100.com/ viagra 100mg price
Kevinjaima says
buy generic 100mg viagra online https://viagrapills100.com/ buy viagra online usa
RicardoFaw says
mexican viagra https://viagrapills100.com/ over the counter viagra
RicardoFaw says
viagra from india https://viagrapills100.com/ viagra cost
Marvinvield says
cheap ed pills usa ed pills online
order ed pills
TerrynuB says
natural herbs for ed ed supplements
cheap ed pills from india
TerrynuB says
cheap ed pills in mexico cheap ed pills from india
cheap ed pills in mexico
Marvinvield says
cheap ed pills from canada buy ed pills
buy ed drugs
Marvinvield says
cheap zithromax pills: buy zithromax online – how to get zithromax online
PeterGussy says
http://prednisonest.com/# prednisone brand name india
PeterGussy says
http://gabapentinst.com/# neurontin online usa
Marvinvield says
plaquenil buy: generic plaquenil – hydroxychloroquine 1mg
PeterGussy says
https://hydroxychloroquinest.com/# plaquenil online mexico
PeterGussy says
http://hydroxychloroquinest.com/# plaquenil uk
Marvinvield says
gabapentin 600 mg: cheap neurontin – neurontin 100 mg
PeterGussy says
http://gabapentinst.com/# neurontin 400 mg cost
Marvinvield says
can you buy zithromax over the counter: buy zithromax – zithromax 500 mg lowest price online
PeterGussy says
http://prednisonest.com/# prednisone cream brand name
VictorSag says
http://zithromaxproff.com/# buy zithromax 500mg online
azithromycin zithromax
RafaelCof says
https://zithromaxproff.com/# zithromax coupon
buy zithromax without prescription online
VictorSag says
https://zithromaxproff.com/# buy zithromax 1000 mg online
zithromax tablets
VictorSag says
http://zithromaxproff.com/# where can i purchase zithromax online
zithromax 250 mg pill
Frankdah says
ciplox price: order floxin
biaxin online
Billywains says
minocycline capsules: buy floxin generic
buy flagyl generic
Frankdah says
keftab generic: cleocin tablets
erythromycin tablets
CharlesLaurl says
usa pharmacy india: overseas pharmacies shipping to usa buy prescriptions from india pharmacy
Michaelcib says
online medications from india: united pharmacy india online medications from india
CharlesLaurl says
best online international pharmacies india: reputable online pharmacies in india generic pills india
Michaelcib says
usa pharmacy india: india pharmacy without dr prescriptions india pharmacy without dr prescriptions
Michaelcib says
trusted india online pharmacies: meds from india order prescription drugs from india
CharlesLaurl says
buy medication online from india: generic pills india buy prescriptions from india pharmacy
AlfredHut says
best male erectile dysfunction pill: generic viagra pills cialis pills
RobertArten says
pills for erectile dysfunction: https://edpillsonline24.com/# cialis ed pills
AlfredHut says
kamagra pills: buy erectile dysfunction pills online ed meds
RobertArten says
ed pills: https://edpillsonline24.com/# top erectile dysfunction pills
RobertArten says
over the counter ed medication: https://edpillsonline24.com/# best erectile dysfunction pills
AlfredHut says
ed pills: mail order erectile dysfunction pills pills for erectile dysfunction
HarryVat says
how to get viagra buy viagra without prescription viagra without a doctor prescription usa
MichaelRUSSY says
amazon viagra: viagra no prescription buy viagra without prescription
HarryVat says
best over the counter viagra no prescription viagra viagra without a prescription
RobertoRug says
http://diflucanst.com/# diflucan pill over the counter
ClaudZew says
amoxicillin discount coupon: buy amoxil – rexall pharmacy amoxicillin 500mg