SALT AND LIGHT IN MATTHEW 5:13-14: A PARADIGM FOR DEMOCRATIC SUSTAINABILITY IN NIGERIA.

The objective of this paper is to unearth the impact of metaphors 'salt' and 'light' in Matthew 5:13-14 as a paradigm for stable democracy in Nigeria. Historical, sociological and exegetical methods were adopted. Historical method was used to reconstruct the past both in biblical times and in this 21^st century Nigeria. Sociological method located the concept of salt and light metaphors in the society, while exegetical method examined both the content and the context to enhance better interpretation of the text. Data were gathered through secondary source. Finding was that Nigerian democracy is experiencing many challenges which have been making the country ungovernable since leaders fail to positively influence their followers as both salt and light. The paper recommends that the same metaphors should have expressions in the Nigerian leaders so as to enhance stable democracy and governance in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]