A Strategy for Promoting the Use of the Vernacular Scriptures in the Cameroon Baptist Convention Churches in Nso’ Tribe, Cameroon: A Biblical Perspective

Abstract

This research was prompted by the observation that there is minimal use of Lamnso’ scriptures in Baptist churches in Nso’, even though the Lamnso’ New Testament has been in use since 1990. It was also observed that the active participation of Nso’ Christians in Bible studies done in Lamnso’ points to great prospects in the extensive use of Lamnso’ scriptures. Hence, the author in the thesis seeks to devise a strategy for promoting Lamnso’ scriptures for extensive use. He consulted academic works to find out what others have written in view of the importance of mother tongue scriptures and conducted a historical analysis to find out how historical factors have shaped the attitude of Baptist churches towards scriptures in Lamnso’. He did an empirical study by sending questionnaires to fifty-seven Baptist churches and receiving feedback. Data collected was analyzed and interpreted. The result shows that even though Lamnso’ scriptures are indispensable to spiritual maturity among Nso’ Baptist Christians, their use in evangelism and discipleship do not reflect their importance. This is due to lack of a proper strategy and biblical teaching on the importance of mother scriptures. Consequently, he has carried out a theological framework to provide a theological basis for setting forth a strategy for promoting Lamnso’ scriptures. The theological framework is followed by a practical framework based on the historical and empirical analyses, as well as the theological obligations of the church. The author contends that proposed solutions, recommendations and action plans with practical steps must be implemented by individual Baptist Christians, churches, Baptist theological institutions and the Cameroon Baptist Convention at large so that Lamnso’ scriptures assume their proper place in evangelism and discipleship for the growth of the church.

This research was prompted by the observation that there is minimal use of Lamnso’ scriptures in Baptist churches in Nso’, even though the Lamnso’ New Testament has been in use since 1990. It was also observed that the active participation of Nso’ Christians in Bible studies done in Lamnso’ points to great prospects in the extensive use of Lamnso’ scriptures. Hence, the author in the thesis seeks to devise a strategy for promoting Lamnso’ scriptures for extensive use. He consulted academic works to find out what others have written in view of the importance of mother tongue scriptures and conducted a historical analysis to find out how historical factors have shaped the attitude of Baptist churches towards scriptures in Lamnso’. He did an empirical study by sending questionnaires to fifty-seven Baptist churches and receiving feedback. Data collected was analyzed and interpreted. The result shows that even though Lamnso’ scriptures are indispensable to spiritual maturity among Nso’ Baptist Christians, their use in evangelism and discipleship do not reflect their importance. This is due to lack of a proper strategy and biblical teaching on the importance of mother scriptures. Consequently, he has carried out a theological framework to provide a theological basis for setting forth a strategy for promoting Lamnso’ scriptures. The theological framework is followed by a practical framework based on the historical and empirical analyses, as well as the theological obligations of the church. The author contends that proposed solutions, recommendations and action plans with practical steps must be implemented by individual Baptist Christians, churches, Baptist theological institutions and the Cameroon Baptist Convention at large so that Lamnso’ scriptures assume their proper place in evangelism and discipleship for the growth of the church.