The Tree: A Universal Landmark, A Biblical Language & A Symbol to the African Christian

By David Dungji Chinke

What would life be without a governing authority? God, Human authority, and even what Jesus describes as the enemy of our souls; Satanic authority. The ancient symbol of a Tree is used Biblically to depict these ancient systems of authority. But how can we bridge the gap between such symbolic use and our everyday lives? This question is answered through this brief study.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Engraved in Gold Media Enterprises
• Release date: Jan 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9789789163830

Book preview

THE TREE

A Universal Landmark, A Biblical Language & A Symbol to the African Christian

A Universal Landmark, A Biblical Language and A symbol to the African Christian

By

David Dungji Chinke.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (R). Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

THE TREE – A Universal Landmark, A Biblical Language and a symbol to the African Christian.

ISBN: 987 – 978 – 916 – 383 - 0

Published in Nigeria

© 2011 by Engraved in Gold Enterprises

P.O.BOX 142, [e-mail] , [phone]

Bukuru Jos South, Plateau State Nigeria

All rights reserved, No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

To God the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

Acknowledgements

When I saw Prof. Yusuf Turaki’s simplified edition of the foundations of African Traditional Religion, it simply came to me that the picture of the tree on the cover was just the appropriate one. It was just too fitting a symbol to use! When elderly Men give their years of experience to correct teaching and equipping, there is no telling how many years are added to the productive years of young men and women.

My Parents have partnered for years in the ministry of family discipleship and these have not gone to waste, one can cast his mind back to the sacrifices they made for us to come out right - I remember when my Mother was unemployed and my Dad’s monthly salary was only a little above 3,000 naira, sometimes he would use his car as a Taxi just to get to the end of the month and to pay our school fees. Their Biblical quest for truth – which was partly the cause of my mother’s temporary Joblessness. Their disdain for corruption and the ancient stories they told us have been a valuable part of the man I presently am!

My friends in ministry; GROW and Engraved in Gold media have been a great asset. Most notable is Rotkang Job who helped with the printing of the Book covers. One friend comes to mind; Shedrach Akasua’s idea on starting his Tripartite Community sparked off my thinking on the nature of man as it relates to the Tree. It would be a grievous mistake to forget my ever supportive family; my wife and child. Thank you all!!

TABLE OF CONTENT

INTRODUCTION ...................................... 1

The origins ……………………………………… 3

NEBUCHADNEZZAR, ANOTHER DAVID IN A BIGGER ISRAEL ………………………………………. 9

THE TREE–ACORDING TO BIBLICAL DESCRIPTION 12

The Tree–Masquerading in the African Cultural Ways 28

THE TREE AND THE TRIPATITE MAN …… 43

THE CHALLENGE TO AFRICAN CHRISTIANITY 53

Three stories to help you think…………. 58

BIBLIOGRAPHY……………………………… 73

INTRODUCTION

Trees it is said are the oldest, Largest and tallest living things on the earth [¹] . Trees are a major source of energy and protection for organisms and