A socio-historical Appraisal of the Mode and Motivation of Christian Leadership in 1Peter 5:1 - 11 in its Graeco - Roman Context for Northern Nigeria

Abstract

1 Peter 5:1-11 is a text that provided guidelines with regards to leadership to a suffering Christian community. The text was written to address a situation where leadership lacked proper motives. Commentators have added their voice to the situation of leadership in 1 Peter and argued that the duty of overseeing God’s people must be carried out with proper motives. Given such studies, it is evident that 1 Peter is a good case for addressing contexts with similar tendencies, such as Northern Nigeria where the cases of greed or selfishness (αἰσχροκερδῶς) and domination or lording over (κατακυριεύω) form of leadership both politically and religiously are on the increase. Some secular and church leaders in Nigeria only care for themselves and their immediate families without minding the masses’ trauma and condition under their jurisdiction. As a result, they undergo suffering without much care and direction for their future wellbeing. The study’s purposed was to use 1 Peter 5:1-11 from its Graeco-Roman context to appraise the mode and motivation for responsible Christian leadership in the Northern Nigeria context. The problem is that Christian leaders appear tyrannical and selfish. They are either ignoring or have not appropriated the teachings of 1 Peter 5:1-11. The study employed a socio-historical method to bring about a new understanding and meaning to the passage of 1 Peter 5:1-11 based on the research objectives. In conjunction with the behavioural theory of leadership, the method was useful in tracing Peter’s thought and promoting dialogue between the text, author, and reader. The study was based on library research and employed secondary data. The analysis was done by using a socio-historical approach in response to the research objectives and questions. Based on the findings, Christians in Asia Minor struggled amid some greedy and tyrant leaders of the Graeco-Roman context. Such leadership development had become a usual way of life. Then serving for αἰσχροκερδῶς and κατακυριεύω become the ultimate mode and motivation for most emperors and Christian leaders who tend to be mimicking such into their congregations. The study concludes that the socio-historical appraisal of 1 Peter 5:1-11 exposes every unethical form of Christian leadership in the church and community. The challenges of αἰσχροκερδῶς and κατακυριεύω amongst Christian leaders in NN would be smarted and derogated if only leaders redefine the ultimate tenet of their calling into the ministry. The findings of the study will be useful for suppling Christian and secular leaders and theologians with a better understanding of the socio-historical appraisal of 1 Peter 5:1-11 in line with the Christocentric leadership model. This study will serve as a resource for dealing with the diverse recurrences of αἰσχροκερδῶς and κατακυριεύω in the political, social-economic, and religious spheres in Northern Nigeria and the globe at large.