GOSPEL MUSIC, SPIRITUALITY AND THE PRAXIS OF MATERIALISM AMONG SOME CONTEMPORARY NIGERIAN GOSPEL MUSICIANS
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Date
2024
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Izu: Journal of Critical Perspectives
Abstract
This paper examines four things. First, it explores the historical origin, growth, and
development of Christian gospel music and the spirituality of Christian churches. Second, it
discusses how materialism lays the foundation for the quest for material possessions, which is
the main target of some Nigerian gospel musicians. Third, the paper points out the extent to
which some contemporary gospel musicians pursue material wealth and how this sycophantic
mind-set has become one of the indices of the rapid change in terms of the lifestyle and the
gospel music of some gospel singers. Fourth, it raises ethical concerns that arise from the
materialistic culture of greed, which accounts for the loss of moral ethos in the Christian church
communities and larger society. The research method adopted for this study is descriptive and
analytical methods where spiritual behaviours and social relationships of gospel singers are
subjected to evaluation. The paper, among other things, claims that gospel musicians are
ministers of God who minister the Word of God to people within their calling areas and should
maintain the sanctity of their Christian divine calls. The paper concludes that the unbridled
quest for wealth in contemporary times is one of the significant causes of materialism and
culture of cupidity among some Christian church gospel musicians and the larger society.