Matt 25:14-30: A Critical Look at the "˜Third Servant Syndrome' in the Light of Theological Studies in Nigeria

Abstract

During his earthly ministry, Jesus used parables to convey his message to his listeners, one of which is found in Matt 25:14-30. This parable not only draws the reader's attention to the surprise of the master's sudden return, but it also emphasizes the servants' behavior during the time the master has been away, and it is here that we find the "˜third servant syndrome'. It refers to the tendency to keep one's meager talents hidden rather than exploring the risky possibilities of adding value to them and this is the aim of this article. It finds out that this tendency is common in Nigerian theological circles, where it is often seen as a theologian's goal to faithfully pass on what one has received to others. However, in the Parable of the Talents, Jesus demonstrates that commitment to faithfulness, defined as passing on the tradition exactly as received, is equivalent to unfaithfulness because the Master expects the recipient to invest the talent and pass it on with interest at the end of one's tenure. Using the rhetorical and contextual methods of exegesis, this article examines the causes of the third servant syndrome in Nigerian theological circles and advocates for the replacement of an unproductive servile understanding of faithfulness with a first or second servant understanding of faithfulness that recognizes that in order to be truly faithful to the tradition, the theologian must work to add value to it in order to pass on more than what one has received. As a contribution to knowledge, many have written on this text, but known has taken time to read the text from the perspective of the third servant syndrome. Hence, it will add to already existing literature on the subject matter and open more windows for future research.