Amos’ critique of the Israelite cult of Yahweh: its implications for Ghanaian Christian community in the Pentecostal/charismatic churches

Abstract

There has been inconsistency between a nation with about two thirds of its citizens being Christians yet ranking high in corruption in Africa. It is against this background that Amos‘ message is relevant. This study seeks to investigate Amos‘ critique of the Israelite cult of Yahweh and its implications for modern Ghanaian Christian Community in the Pentecostal/ Charismatic Churches. Rhetorical criticism is the methodology used in the study and Kennedy‘s model of five- staged procedure has been chosen. In this study two texts, 4:4-5 and 5:21-27 which is the rhetorical unit. Rhetorical situation is made up of the background, historical context and the birth of the text and the third step being rhetorical invention which uses both internal and external proofs. The fourth step is the rhetorical disposition made up of the organization and the persuasive style. Persuasive discourse is divided into logos, pathos and ethos. Using the style above, the people are zealous with the cultic rites to the extent of offering an abomination, neglecting justice and righteousness and making noise about it. The people were told of their strained relationship with Yahweh as well as the hatred that has been evoked. Yahweh is therefore displeased and cuts off his allegiance with the people who then go into exile. The people of Israel are condemned to exile since they are only zealous with rituals but oppress people and deny the weak the needed justice. For national development to be enhanced in a highly Christianised country like Ghana, this thesis recommends that this in-depth study be extended to the ruling class and public sector workers since Amos‘ message has so much implication for their work ethics.