MISINTERPRETATION OF BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF RESTITUTION AS VIOLENCE AGAINST THE AFRICAN WOMEN

I.O. Adesanya

Department of Religious Studies

University of Ado-Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Restitution is recognized as one of the key aspect of Christian virtues to attain a greater level of spirituality.  The beauty of restitution stems from the fact that it enables Christians to have a right relationship with someone wronged.  However, restitution has had a negative effect on women particularly in polygamous home.  This paper, therefore, critically appraises the teaching of the Bible on the subject, and the travails of women and children affected. The methods used are both library and field research .Selected respondents across Pentecostal Churches were interviewed with a view to determine their perceptions of the concept of restitution as it applies to women. The findings of the paper revealed that women who are second or third wife usually bear the brunt of restitution. Some women affected usually end up being a single parents or in a psychiatric home .These and other findings informed some recommendations, among which are, the need for religious leaders to do more in- depth research into  biblical hermeneutics for proper interpretations of the Bible. Then, the helping professionals like counsellors, social workers, educationists, psychologists and the likes should ensure appropriate programmes are designed to help women whose husband restitute and children to live a normal life gain.         

Keywords: Restitution, Women, Church.