Affiliation:
1. 1 Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Abstract
This work studied Romans 8:19-22 with a focus on the frustration human actions bring to the non-material creation which makes it yearn to be liberated from them and tries to see its relationship to the ecological devastation in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Using the historical-critical method of exegesis and comparative and contextual methods it maintains that there is a relationship between the image of creation painted in Rom 8:19-22 and the ecological situation in the Niger Delta. It holds that since humans played a major role in rendering the non-material creation incapable of realising its natural goal, humans also have a role to play in its restoration. It further states that since humanity through the Christ event has been reconciled to God and looks forward to the realisation of the fullness of such reconciliation, reconciled humans should relate to the rest of creation in such a way that it will also experience the effect of this reconciliation as it awaits its fullness in future. The paper contributes to the discussion on environmental realised eschatology.
Keywords: Creation, Groaning, Niger Delta, Environment, Pollution
Reference24 articles.
1. Ana, Godson Rowland. “Air Pollution in the Niger Delta Area: Scope, Challenges and Remedies.” The Impact of Air Pollution on Health, Economy, Environment and Agricultural Sources, InTech, Rijeka,2011,181–98.
2. Asanebi, D. “A Concise View of Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: An Interpretation of a Nigerian Historian.” International Research Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies, 2016, 56–63.
3. Azaiki, S. Inequities in Nigerian Politics. Yenegoa: Treasure Communication Resources, 2003.
4. Barrett, C.K. The Epistle to the Romans. London: Hendrickson, 1991.
5. Bauckham, Richard. “The Story of the Earth According to Paul: Romans 8: 18–23.” Review & Expositor 108, no. 1 (2011): 91–97.