THE CONTEXTUALIZATION OF DREAMS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT AND SOME SELECTED NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS, ILE-IFE

Abstract

This paper addressed the contextualization of dream interpretation in the transformation of traditional African theories of origin of the universe and how the universe operated in Ile-Ife. It highlighted prominent demonstration of spiritual ability that abounded among members of the New Religious Movements (NRMs) at Ile-Ife. The NRMs were the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria (C&SUCN), the Church of the Lord Aladura (CLA) and Eckankar (Eck) at Ile-Ife. It employed biblical contextualization of ancient Near Eastern and Old Testament interpretation of dreams in exposing the theology of the NRMs that influenced moral change among the youths at Ile-Ife. It concluded with the recommendation that every idea of fatalism and predestination needed to be confronted with an ideology of a redeemable world by emphasizing virtues of discipline and submission to authority for maturity in interpersonal relations.