"Everything Na Double Double O”

: A Critical Examination of Christ Apostolic Church’s Teaching of the Faith Gospel in Nigeria and The UK

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to critically examine Christ Apostolic Church (CAC)’s teaching of the Faith Gospel in Nigeria and the differences, if any, from the way it is practised by the members of the CAC in the UK. The topic of this research is transnational African Pentecostalism and the Faith Gospel. This research focuses primarily on three areas. First, it examines the origin, history, and tenets of the Faith Gospel, encompassing the influence of divine healing and economic prosperity on African Pentecostal Churches. Second, it investigates the history, structure, beliefs, and distinctive characteristics of CAC’s teaching of the Faith Gospel in Nigeria and the UK, comparing the cultural and contextual factors that influence the shape of the Faith Gospel in the two contexts. Third, it includes a theological critique of the tenets of the Faith Gospel and the CAC, interrogating those biblical passages that serve as theological foundations for both tenets and beliefs, to inform the mapping out of the pastoral implications they have within the contexts of leadership and discipleship in CAC. The CAC was founded in 1918 among the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria and is one of the earliest Nigerian Pentecostal denominations, with numerous branches in Nigeria and the UK. The Faith Gospel refers to the religious claims that material blessings of health and wealth are not only good and godly, but they are the right of every believer once he/she makes a confession of faith and obeys the word of God. This dissertation first reviews the literature on both the CAC and the Faith Gospel movement. The primary materials for researching the history, beliefs, and structure of CAC are drawn from non-academic books from some of the original founders of the church and other CAC pastors. The secondary sources are academic books and journals. Second, using the ethnographic method of research, the dissertation reveals prosperity teaching and divine healing. The CAC has 13 tenets in total, but for this research, I have selected the last three, which read: “(11th) The obligatory nature of Tithes and Offerings; (12th) Divine Healing through obedience to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ and Faith in His name and merits of His blood for all sickness, disease, and infirmities; (13th) Faith in God, the Jehovah Jireh, to supply all financial needs.” Careful examination showed that these chosen topics are equally paramount among the tenets of the Faith Gospel.

Date of Award	11 Jun 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Roehampton
Supervisor	Richard Burgess (Director of Studies) & Mohammed Girma (Co-Supervisor)