Date of Award
5-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2023.
Degree Name
Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL)
Director
Eduardo Fernández
Abstract
The Tiv people of Nigeria have a social-political philosophy, Ya na angbian, which they have been practicing since the pre-colonial period. The social-political philosophy promotes justice, fairness, harmony, and peace through a fair and equitable distribution of what belongs to the Tiv people. This thesis argues that the Ya na angbian concept of the Tiv people can be applied to the relationship between human and non-human beings. This work maintains that it can lead to human beings’ care for non-human nature.
The first outstanding conclusion of this research is that the Ya na angbian social-political philosophy can correct misunderstanding and misinterpretation of Gen 1:26. The second conclusion is that the command by God to humankind to subdue and have dominion over other creatures is not an invitation to exploit non-human nature but to care for it.
I have concluded that a fair and justice relationship between humans and non-human beings will benefit all God’s creatures. An honest and just relationship between humans and non-humans will lead to peace, harmony, and progress. God’s command that humans care for other creatures must be kept to protect our planet.
A proper understanding of the fact of humankind’s same origin as non-human human beings and the interconnectedness of all creatures will lead to care for nature. The planet is made for all God’s creatures and not only human beings.
Recommended Citation
Bologo, Christopher Terhemen, "The Nigerian Tiv Concept of Ya Na Angbian as a Corrective to the misinterpretation of Subdue and have Dominion in Genesis 1:26" (2023). Jesuit School of Theology Dissertations. 105.
https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/jst_dissertations/105