ὑΙΟΘΗΣΙΑ (ADOPTION) IN GALATIANS AND ITS RELEVANCE TO AFRICAN

This paper looks at the concept of ὑιοθησια (adoption) as used by Paul in Galatians. It appreciates Paul’s metaphorical expression of the term in qualifying the Gentiles as children of God, especially when the latter needed reassurance after they had given their lives to Christ. This is due to the bitter ordeals of the gentiles with the Jews in the past, with the latter seeing themselves as the only people deserving of God's fatherhood. Using secondary sources of data collection and the evaluative method of Justin Ukpong's theory of cultural hermeneutics, the paper reveals the relevance of Paul's use of huiothesia to African Christians to mean that, through adoption, the African race has been sharing in the blessings of Abraham. Never again is anyone to come to God with a sorrowful conscience, thinking that he or she is a sinner, but should approach him boldly as a son. Although the employment of ὑιοθησια may be strange to African Christians owing to their background, the term should be accepted on the ground that in the word of God, where they put their faith, it means full sonship when applied.