Gideon M. Urhobo and the God's Kingdom Society in Nigeria
This thesis covers the life and work of Gideon Meriodere Urhobo (1903-1952) and the Church, God's Kingdom Society, which he founded. The approach is historical and draws on primary sources. The thesis begins with the socio-political and religious background of his own people, the Urhobo of the Midwest of Nigeria. Thereafter, it treats the early life of Gideon Urhobo which was characterized by various dangerous experiences connected with evil spirits, and in which God intervened to save him. Gideon became a Roman Catholic but desired to study the scriptures all by himself. His desire met with opposition, and he left the Catholic Church. After a while, he stumbled upon the publications of the Watchtower Society and he became a member and a travelling preacher. In 1933, he saw a ~vision~ of Jesus Christ who ~assigned~ him the duty not only to preach the gospel of the Kingdom but also to expose false teachings about God. He joined the Watchtower representative in Lagos but after some time separated from the Watchtower on doctrinal differences in October 1934. The thesis describes in four chapters, the origin and teachings of the Watchtower, Urhobo'a controversies and debates over some teachings of the Watchtower,
Ilega, D. I.
Philosophy
Gideon M. Urhobo and the God's Kingdom Society in Nigeria. This thesis covers the life and work of Gideon Meriodere Urhobo (1903-1952) and the Church, God's Kingdom Society, which he founded. The approach is historical and draws on primary sources. The thesis begins with the socio-political and religious background of his own people, the Urhobo of the Midwest of Nigeria. Thereafter, it treats the early life of Gideon Urhobo which was characterized by various dangerous experiences connected with evil spirits, and in which God intervened to save him. Gideon became a Roman Catholic but desired to study the scriptures all by himself. His desire met with opposition, and he left the Catholic Church. After a while, he stumbled upon the publications of the Watchtower Society and he became a member and a travelling preacher. In 1933, he saw a ~vision~ of Jesus Christ who ~assigned~ him the duty not only to preach the gospel of the Kingdom but also to expose false teachings about God. He joined the Watchtower representative in Lagos but after some time separated from the Watchtower on doctrinal differences in October 1934. The thesis describes in four chapters, the origin and teachings of the Watchtower, Urhobo'a controversies and debates over some teachings of the Watchtower,
god kingdom society nigeria cover life_work church god kingdom society found historical draw primary_source begin socio_political religious_background people nigeria thereafter treat early_life characterize various dangerous experience connect evil spirit god intervene save him become roman_catholic desire study scripture himself desire meet opposition leave catholic_church stumble upon publication society become member travel preacher saw vision jesus_christ duty preach gospel kingdom also expose false teaching god join representative time separate doctrinal difference describe origin teaching debate teaching