Papers by Agai Jock Matthew
African Theological Journal for Church and Society, 2024
The subject of the creation of Adam raises a seeming contention
between Christian evolutionists ... more The subject of the creation of Adam raises a seeming contention
between Christian evolutionists and Christian antievolutionists, and
this is evident in many ways including in the Scopes Trial of 1925 in
Tennessee, USA. This discussion is important because it contributes to
bringing all Christians together to a meeting point despite their diverse
views on the subject. It also dismisses the notion that science is in
conflict with the Christian faith. Using literary research methods to
explore this subject, the researcher took into cognisance both
scientific and theological approaches to the evolutionary origin of
humans and to the creation account of Adam. The research finding
shows that many researchers who have interest in the subject have
not reached a conclusion on whether the Bible is in fierce or mild
contestation with the views that Adam was created or evolved. The
writer of this paper proposes that the author of Genesis had an
intention when writing the creation story. He recommends that the
original intention of the author should be taken into cognisance when
reading about the creation of Adam.
During the apartheid regime in South Africa, many black and other coloured people were segregated... more During the apartheid regime in South Africa, many black and other coloured people were segregated both socially and educationally. After South Africa's political independence in 1994, the constitution was amended where all people were allowed to enjoy every government benefit equally and this benefit includes the right to free basic education. As a form of a pseudo-retaliation, many people that live in the squatter camps seemingly believe that the government must make provision for free basic education to its people in which transportation, food, school uniforms, health care and other necessities must be provided as a part of the free basic education policy. Considering limited government resources, will it be possible to provide all South Africans and migrants that live in South free basic education? The purpose of the research is to revisit the interpretation of the constitutional policy on free basic education in South Africa. The researchers highlight the need for proper education on the meaning of the policy and its importance to the South African public. A quantitative research method was used to record responses from two public schools in Cosmo City. The research will contribute to a better perception about government and the use of its resources.
The last time the Acheulean tools at Mai Idon Toro (NAFOK) were collected and studied scientifica... more The last time the Acheulean tools at Mai Idon Toro (NAFOK) were collected and studied scientifically by different archaeologists/historians for the purpose of national and international patronage was in the 1920s through the 1960s. After the 60s up-to-date, many writers have been writing about the Acheulean tools in NAFOK without having a physical contact with the tools or without having a direct understanding of the dilapidated state of the Acheulean site in NAFOK. More so, in the process of this study, I have not come across any single library material that deals specifically and wholly with the Acheulean industry in NAFOK, instead; the subject is casually or indirectly referenced as secondary. The information from the secondary sources I collected about NAFOK was peripheral and in distinct pieces seemingly because a specific author had not wholly dealt with the subject. This instigated the need to visit the Acheulean site in NAFOK in search of primary sources or information. This research is a study of the history of the researches done strictly about NAFOK and its Acheulean finds. The aims of this research are first, to give an update on the history of researches done about the Acheulean in NAFOK and second, to create further awareness on the need to encourage the patronage of public archaeology among Nigerians using the Acheulean site in NAFOK as a case study. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The presence of fossils and bones of early humans found in Eastern, Northern and Southern Africa are often referred to as the "direct evidence" for the existence of early humans in these regions of Africa. This is so because there is a view among many archaeologists, anthropologists and paleontologists according to which bones are reliable evidence for the existence of early humans than stone tools. Bone tools or bone evidence for the existence of early humans in West Africa is scanty. Archaeologists rely on stone tools to explain the probable existence of early humans in West Africa and the stone tools are referred to as "indirect evidence." It is likely that early humans might have lived in NAFOK not because direct evidence has been found but indirect evidence. This research is a study of the indirect evidence found in NAFOK for the existence of early humans. Historical archeologists and students of anthropology and West African history would find this research of great benefit because it discusses the contentious history of the view according to which early humans lived in NAFOK millions of years ago.
The theory according to which the Yoruba ancestors were Coptic Christians seemed unpopular amongs... more The theory according to which the Yoruba ancestors were Coptic Christians seemed unpopular amongst many Yoruba people despite the fact that the theory was proposed by the most revered Yoruba historian, Samuel Johnson. The aims of this research are firstly, to study Johnson’s Coptic theory of the Yoruba origins and secondly, to highlight the circumstances that might have informed him to associate the Yoruba people with the Coptic Church. This research is achieved through a historical study of a possible interaction between certain ethnic groups in Nigeria and the Coptic Church, and through a comparative study of Church liturgies amongst the Copts and those of the Yoruba traditional churches. The researcher explained that Johnson’s Christian background influenced his narrative of connecting the Yoruba origins with the Copts. The researcher is of the opinion that there is no evidence provided by Johnson according to which the Yoruba people originated from
the Copts.
The theory of the Arab origin of the Yoruba people is seemingly the oldest amongst other theories... more The theory of the Arab origin of the Yoruba people is seemingly the oldest amongst other theories of their origins. This is because the original Yoruba oral tradition pertaining to their origin subscribes to the ‘East’ as the location of their origin. The East is believed to be Arabia or Mecca. There are many reasons why scholars from the 19th to the 21st centuries dissociated themselves from the Arab theory of the Yoruba origin, yet some scholars uphold the theory in high esteem. The religions of Christianity and Islam might have influenced the interpretation of the Arab theory of the Yoruba origin. This research elucidates the Arab theory of the Yoruba origin pointing at the historical circumstances that might have led to the acceptance and the non-acceptance of the theory by various people who are interested in the writing of the Yoruba history. The aim of the research was to highlight the
discrepancies or the weaknesses of the theory to initiate further research on the subject.
Neanderthals are at the moment regarded as the originators of funeral rituals. The connection of ... more Neanderthals are at the moment regarded as the originators of funeral rituals. The connection of the Neanderthals to Africa is understudied and in most cases not conclusive yet Africans practice funeral rituals as if it is the primary reason for their existence. Considering the importance of funerals to the African man and woman, there is a need to understand why there is lesser interest or lesser research on the connection between Neanderthals and the early humans who lived in Africa. Using references from researches carried out about funeral items found in Neanderthal graves and citing Yoruba burial rites as an example of a funeral ritual, I investigated the role of Africa in initiating the afterlife beliefs in addition to funeral rituals. The primary purpose of this research is to clearly show the gap created in the study about how funeral rituals started in Africa. The researcher observed that the contribution of early humans to the study of human development in Africa is understudied.
The stories narrated by many people who experienced the Near-Death is being regarded by many scie... more The stories narrated by many people who experienced the Near-Death is being regarded by many scientists as strictly the effects of brain malfunction. Yet, other scientists are interested in collating and attempting to apply scientific methods in the study of the NDE. It is important to note that the study of the history of the phenomenon of the NDE suggests that their experiences may not be quickly shelved as ordinary or as strictly the effect of brain malfunction. The contemporary study of the mind-body relations from the perspectives of a parapsychologist and a modern physicist are beginning to shed light on the view that the NDE may not be ordinary as generally thought but a field of knowledge that has effect on the scientific meaning of death as the total end of life. The method implored in this research is historical and the aim is to highlight that the NDE is seemingly natural, ancient; and a universal phenomenon that is very important in the study of human extraordinary experiences. The researchers sided with the dualists who view the NDE as first, a phenomenon that shows the coexistence and a probable independent existence of the body from the mind; and second, that the NDE mechanism poses a challenge that can hardly be explained by the monist.
SAMUEL JOHNSON ON THE EGYPTIAN ORIGIN OF THE YORUBA, 2017
The history of the Egyptian connection with the Yoruba from the perspective of Samuel Johnson.
Did the ancient Egyptians migrate to ancient Nigeria?, 2014
Literatures concerning the history of West African peoples published from 1900 to 1970 debate
the... more Literatures concerning the history of West African peoples published from 1900 to 1970 debate
the possible migrations of the Egyptians into West Africa. Writers like Samuel Johnson and
Lucas Olumide believe that the ancient Egyptians penetrated through ancient Nigeria but Leo
Frobenius and Geoffrey Parrinder frowned at this opinion. Using the works of these early
20th century writers of West African history together with a Yoruba legend which teaches
about the origin of their earliest ancestor(s), this researcher investigates the theories that the
ancient Egyptians had contact with the ancient Nigerians and particularly with the Yorubas.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: There is an existing ideology
amongst the Yorubas and other writers of Yoruba history that the original ancestors of
the Yorubas originated in ancient Egypt hence there was migration between Egypt and
Yorubaland. This researcher contends that even if there was migration between Egypt and
Nigeria, such migration did not take place during the predynastic and dynastic period as
speculated by some scholars. The subject is open for further research.
Samuel Johnson’s view about Oduduwa in connection with the origins of the Yoruba, 2020
The most favorable explanation pertaining to the Yoruba origin is that of the Oduduwa tradition a... more The most favorable explanation pertaining to the Yoruba origin is that of the Oduduwa tradition according to which he is the original ancestor of the Yoruba people. While the Yorubas have reached a settlement on Oduduwa as their ancestor, they disagree on where Oduduwa originated from. While some associated his origin with Mecca or Arabia, others say Egypt or Israel. Samuel Johnson, the most prominent writer of the Yoruba history disputed the various theories that pertained to the origin of Oduduwa. Instead, he argued that Oduduwa or the original ancestors of the Yoruba people were Coptic Christians. Twentieth and twenty-first century writers of Yoruba history have continued to build upon Johnson’s view of the Yoruba origin in connection with Oduduwa. This research is a study of the Yoruba and Johnson’s perspectives of Oduduwa in connection with the Yoruba origins. The research elucidates the circumstances of Johnson’s Christinization of the Egyptian origin of the Yoruba.
A call for Africans to recognize and participate in the socio-economic developments of their vari... more A call for Africans to recognize and participate in the socio-economic developments of their various communities.
it is about the debates ON the origin and the perception of the ancient Egyptian civilization whi... more it is about the debates ON the origin and the perception of the ancient Egyptian civilization which was disconnected from THE civilizations of other AFRICANS
Its a studiy about how the Egyptians and the Yoruba viewed the role of the human body in the afte... more Its a studiy about how the Egyptians and the Yoruba viewed the role of the human body in the afterlife
There are many cultural practices that connect ancient Egyptians to the Yorubas and the new inter... more There are many cultural practices that connect ancient Egyptians to the Yorubas and the new interpretation of the Oduduwa legend suggests that the Yorubas have originated or are influenced mainly by the Egyptians. The attestation of Egypt as the main influencer of the Yoruba culture made Egypt significant in the study of the history of the Yoruba people. Some writers are beginning to think that the ancient Egyptians were responsible for introducing and spreading many cultures amongst the Yorubas. As more Yorubas are tracing their origins and the origins of their culture to ancient Egypt, this research investigates whether the Egyptians were the originators and the main spreaders of the afterlife culture in Yorubaland.
The Jews who returned from the exile, Later Jews who lived after the exile and the Early Church w... more The Jews who returned from the exile, Later Jews who lived after the exile and the Early Church who have gone through intense persecutions elevated the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead as if it was the most important of all biblical doctrines. This notion has made some scholars to think that the idea of resurrection emanated from the exilic periods simply because the Jewish people suffered. Using the ancient Israelites views on the conceptions of the soul together with their burial beliefs, this researcher argues that the ancient Israelites beliefs in the afterlife which evolved into the doctrine of resurrection were visible even before the exile. Certain beliefs and practices of the Israelites suggests that their beliefs in the resurrection of the dead pre-dates the exilic periods. The purpose of this research is to show traces of resurrection beliefs in ancient Israel before the exile and to argue that the persecution of the Jewish is not the only reason behind the development of the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. 1
The paper is a discuss on the evolution of the perceptions of hell and Sheol in both the New and ... more The paper is a discuss on the evolution of the perceptions of hell and Sheol in both the New and the Old Testaments. The author argued that the experiences of the Israelites influenced their perception of the suffering and the beatification of the dead.
This is a history of how Darwin should have been appreciated by the religious community.
The theories of the Yoruba origins from Israel, Etruria, Arabia and from West Africa are highligh... more The theories of the Yoruba origins from Israel, Etruria, Arabia and from West Africa are highlighted.
The resurrection of the dead in Egypt is a tradition deliberately created to give hope and comfor... more The resurrection of the dead in Egypt is a tradition deliberately created to give hope and comfort for the bereave otherwise there was no resurrection of the dead. Laboring for the dead resurrected the dead unlike in Christianity where faith alone resurrected the dead.
The scientific study of near-death experience (NDE) teaches that NDE does not entail evidence for... more The scientific study of near-death experience (NDE) teaches that NDE does not entail evidence for life after death, but a study of NDE from an African perspective implies that NDE could serve as a yardstick which supports African traditional beliefs concerning death and resurrection. Using references from Ancient-Egyptian afterlife beliefs and those of the Yorubas of Nigeria, I argue that, for Africans, the percipients of NDE did not only come close to death but are regarded as having truly died. The purpose of this research is to initiate an African debate on the subject and to provide background-knowledge about NDE in Africa for counsellors who counsel NDE percipients that are Africans.
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Papers by Agai Jock Matthew
between Christian evolutionists and Christian antievolutionists, and
this is evident in many ways including in the Scopes Trial of 1925 in
Tennessee, USA. This discussion is important because it contributes to
bringing all Christians together to a meeting point despite their diverse
views on the subject. It also dismisses the notion that science is in
conflict with the Christian faith. Using literary research methods to
explore this subject, the researcher took into cognisance both
scientific and theological approaches to the evolutionary origin of
humans and to the creation account of Adam. The research finding
shows that many researchers who have interest in the subject have
not reached a conclusion on whether the Bible is in fierce or mild
contestation with the views that Adam was created or evolved. The
writer of this paper proposes that the author of Genesis had an
intention when writing the creation story. He recommends that the
original intention of the author should be taken into cognisance when
reading about the creation of Adam.
the Copts.
discrepancies or the weaknesses of the theory to initiate further research on the subject.
the possible migrations of the Egyptians into West Africa. Writers like Samuel Johnson and
Lucas Olumide believe that the ancient Egyptians penetrated through ancient Nigeria but Leo
Frobenius and Geoffrey Parrinder frowned at this opinion. Using the works of these early
20th century writers of West African history together with a Yoruba legend which teaches
about the origin of their earliest ancestor(s), this researcher investigates the theories that the
ancient Egyptians had contact with the ancient Nigerians and particularly with the Yorubas.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: There is an existing ideology
amongst the Yorubas and other writers of Yoruba history that the original ancestors of
the Yorubas originated in ancient Egypt hence there was migration between Egypt and
Yorubaland. This researcher contends that even if there was migration between Egypt and
Nigeria, such migration did not take place during the predynastic and dynastic period as
speculated by some scholars. The subject is open for further research.
between Christian evolutionists and Christian antievolutionists, and
this is evident in many ways including in the Scopes Trial of 1925 in
Tennessee, USA. This discussion is important because it contributes to
bringing all Christians together to a meeting point despite their diverse
views on the subject. It also dismisses the notion that science is in
conflict with the Christian faith. Using literary research methods to
explore this subject, the researcher took into cognisance both
scientific and theological approaches to the evolutionary origin of
humans and to the creation account of Adam. The research finding
shows that many researchers who have interest in the subject have
not reached a conclusion on whether the Bible is in fierce or mild
contestation with the views that Adam was created or evolved. The
writer of this paper proposes that the author of Genesis had an
intention when writing the creation story. He recommends that the
original intention of the author should be taken into cognisance when
reading about the creation of Adam.
the Copts.
discrepancies or the weaknesses of the theory to initiate further research on the subject.
the possible migrations of the Egyptians into West Africa. Writers like Samuel Johnson and
Lucas Olumide believe that the ancient Egyptians penetrated through ancient Nigeria but Leo
Frobenius and Geoffrey Parrinder frowned at this opinion. Using the works of these early
20th century writers of West African history together with a Yoruba legend which teaches
about the origin of their earliest ancestor(s), this researcher investigates the theories that the
ancient Egyptians had contact with the ancient Nigerians and particularly with the Yorubas.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: There is an existing ideology
amongst the Yorubas and other writers of Yoruba history that the original ancestors of
the Yorubas originated in ancient Egypt hence there was migration between Egypt and
Yorubaland. This researcher contends that even if there was migration between Egypt and
Nigeria, such migration did not take place during the predynastic and dynastic period as
speculated by some scholars. The subject is open for further research.
orderliness; yet at some instances, some percipients show some symptoms of trauma. It is
pertinent to notice that a great quantity of academic work has been carried out about the
excitements and awesomeness that comes alongside the NDE, but very little has been itemised
about the traumatic or the negative aspects of the NDE. The aim of this research is to discuss
the seemingly abnormal effects of the NDE that can be connected to the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is important to note that the life review is one of the major
features of the NDE in which a percipient narrates vividly and logically his or her dying
experiences that may or may not include a feeling of guilt. A phenomenological method is
implored in this research because the researcher uses the life review feature to argue that there
is both saneness and some distressing features observed among many NDE percipients. At the
end of this study, the researcher argued that the NDE may provide scanty evidence or
possibilities for symptoms that pertained to a PTSD that may require a therapeutic and medical
attention.