A Thesis Submitted to the Institute of Postgraduate Studies of Kabarak University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Doctor of Philosophy in Practical Theology

Abstract

Studies have been done on the history and anthropology of African Instituted Churches (AICs). Findings show that little has been investigated on the relationship between principles of hermeneutics and contextual theology. This study investigated the relationship between selected principles of biblical hermeneutics and contextual theology in African Instituted Churches: a case of Akũrinũ believers in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study objectives were: First, to assess the relationship between biblical genre and theology of dressing among Akũrinũ believers; Second, to find out the relationship between biblical context and fulfilment of biblical mission among Akũrinũ believers; Third, to examine the relationship between Akũrinũ believers‟ understandings of God and their use of paranormal experiences; Fourth, to determine the moderating effect of culture on theology of dressing, fulfilment of biblical mission and use of paranormal experiences among Akũrinũ believers. Divine Command Theory and Diffusion of Innovations Theory guided the study. Descriptive and correlation designs were employed. From a target population of 2618, 328 Akũrinũ believers and 18 leaders were sampled. A questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data. Supervisors examined the content and face validity of the instruments. Using Cronbach Alpha method, the coefficient of reliability of the questionnaire was 0.792. Data were analysed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 and Stata Software to generate frequencies, Chi-squared and Wald Chi squared respective results. Logistic binary regression and binary hierarchical models were used to test hypotheses 1-3 and 4 respectively. Qualitative data were presented using frequency tables and percentages while inferential data were presented using tables. At α=0.05 level, the study revealed that hypotheses 1-3 were statistically significant with weak positive predictive probabilities of 0.256, 0.245 and 0.259 respectively. Hypothesis 4 was statistically insignificant at p>0.05. Moderating effect of culture was negative. Findings could benefit churches, religious researchers and reduce contextualization challenges among Akũrinũ believers. Based on findings on variables studied, the study concluded that challenges Akũrinũ believers encountered in biblical hermeneutics and biblical contextualization of their theology were typical of other AICs. The study recommended that Akũrinũ leaders should address specific challenges which emerged in the findings concerning interpretation of the Bible and how to contextualize biblical truth in life.