Communion in Ezza Culture: A Theological Analysis from the Trinitarian Perspective of the Cappadocian Fathers

The doctrine of the Trinity has long been taught and received as a mystery not knowable to human beings. Unfortunately, this central doctrine of Christianity has to a great extent been interpreted and confined to the intellectual sphere without any connection to people’s lived experiences. This study departs from this tradition; instead, it uses the relational interpretation of the Trinity by the Cappadocian fathers to study communal relationships in contemporary Ezza culture in Igbo in Eastern Nigeria. The thesis argues that the Trinity is not merely a mystery that has no connection to human experience. Rather, it asserts, for example, that communal relationships in Ezza culture are possible because Ezza people, like other human beings, are created in the image and likeness of God who is Trinity. The doctrine of the Trinity captures the fact that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God especially because of the incarnation of the second person of the Trinity, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, there is a continuity and development of the God/human relationship made possible by Jesus Christ who reveals God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The ministry of Jesus essentially calls all humanity to participate in the fullness of trinitarian communion. On the basis of all these factors, this study argues that the communion in Ezza culture, although imperfect, resembles trinitarian communion. It proposes that teaching and interpreting the doctrine of the Trinity in terms of loving relationship and communion has thepontential to deepen the gospel message in Ezza. This is especially the case because when love, the central message of the Christian faith, encounters a culture that practices communal living, people may begin to embrace the positive teaching of the Christian message in their communal lives. In this environment of enhanced genuine Christian commitment, the Christian injunction of love of God and neighbour may take root and flourish