Christianity In Nigeria Research Articles

A critical analysis of tithe and seed sowing on contemporary Christianity in Nigeria

The issues of tithes and seed sowing have taken a central focus in contemporary Christianity in Nigeria among the preachers. Many a time, it is assumed that tithes and seed sowing are requirements for salvation, prosperity and total well-being of the members. Making many to believe that Christianity is a money-venture business one can succeed if he knows how to hoodwink the gullible. Many have been deceived that by parting with a substantial amount of money in the name of sowing seed, their problems would be solved. Unfortunately, the person’s problem may remain the same or even be compounded. This paper evaluates the activities, attitude and their inordinate ambitions. It examines the impact of tithe and seed sowing on Christianity in Nigeria. The research method adopted for this work is the qualitative phenomenological method. The paper observed that the value of tithe and seed sowing has changed from what is prescribed in the bible to what is preached on the pulpits. The study recommends among other things, that these preachers should preach the gospel with decorum and as it were in the bible so that its influence on Nigerians will bring about a reduction in crime, corruption and other immoral activities in Nigeria. Contribution: The article is focused on the issues of tithes and seed sowing. It underscores the fact that the message of tithe and seed sowing has become a means of siphoning members and enriching the preachers. It further reveals its negative and positive impacts such as, the promotion of corruption and fraud in the church and society, contribution to the decline of morality in the church and the society, increasing crime rate and increasing poverty rate in Nigeria among others.

Prospects of the Practice of “Withdrawal” Among Christians in Nigeria

Across denominations, in contemporary Nigeria, there is a growing trend for prayers in solitary places. Many Christians are withdrawing to consecrated places, which in most cases are in secluded areas of the country for various spiritual activities. Such places include mountains, watersides, bar beaches, and campgrounds. Most Christians in Nigeria are no longer spiritually satisfied or contented with their churches'' prayers and spiritual activities. Both the clergy and laity now patronize solitary places for prayers and to engage in other spiritual activities. The idea of “withdrawal” or solitude in Christianity has attracted a level of scholarly attention from church historians. However, problems arising from “withdrawal,” especially among African Christianity, have not been adequately explored and documented. Likewise, what could probably be the prospects of “withdrawal” in Nigeria, and indeed in African Christianity if well utilized and harnessed, have not been adequately discussed by scholars. This paper intends to fill this lacuna. This study will proffer answers to the following questions: why do Christians in Nigeria go for spiritual exercises in secluded places? Are there problems or negative impacts of spiritual exercises in remote areas? Are there any spiritual and physical benefits to be gained in solitude? The methodology utilized is descriptive. Fieldwork was conducted by visiting some prayer mountains for personal observation and participation. Interviews were also conducted with mountain officials and attendees.

The implications of the book of Acts 8:1-8 for the Nigerian Church

During the early centuries CE of the Church, it was characterized by trials, contempt of the faithful and persecutions. Christians who were unwilling to compromise their faith were martyred in the process in the most terrible ways. The rationale behind this study is to focus on Christian persecution, especially beginning from the biblical context; in order to examine what Christian persecution is all about and what it is not. This research thus briefly examines the issue of persecution in the early Church with specific attention to Acts 8:1-8. An exegetical and descriptive methodology is explored in this research. The contemporary state of Nigeria is reflected the early church. This research not only discusses the issue of persecution in the early church, but also analyzes and places it side by side with such happenings in the nation of Nigeria today. In view of this, the contemporary Christians in Nigeria do and may in future also benefit a great deal from the early Church’s experience.

Understanding Conflicts with Religious Dimensions in their Transnational Interrelations

Jihadist terror attacks in Europe, religious sectarianism in Syria, Iraq, regional power politics of Saudi Arabia and Iran, tensions between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria, Ethiopia and Bosnia: While those phenomena emerge within their own distinct social, political, economic, and cultural context, they also interrelate with another to varying degrees. Accordingly, local socio-political issues intersect with religion and foster dynamics that transcend into the national, regional and international realm, where they intersect anew with further dynamics. With social processes increasingly transcending the geographical and political boundaries in most regions of the world, conflict dynamics do not remain unaffected. A growing transnational interplay seems to concern conflicts with religious dimensions in particular. After all, most religions claim universal truths. This paper sketches a theoretic approach to describe a conflict with religious dimensions and the transnational dynamics that underlie it. In order to do so, it introduces a concept of religious practice which allows to both grasp the subjective significance of religion for the believer and to describe transnational processes.

Uloga religije i njen uticaj na sukobe u Nigeriji

At the very end of colonial rule, UK established Islam and Christianity in Nigeria as the two dominant religions with the middle belt region of Nigeria as the battle ground. Before their final departure, they secured and formed several ethnic and religious lines, which in the postcolonial era were used by political elites as a way to fight for state power. As such, on the basis of the abuse of political and religious elites, and on the basis of ethnic, religious and regional divisions, a deeply fragmented Nigeria as we know it today emerged. With colonial domination, sudden transitions, the power of society was destroyed to such an extent that it became incapable of regulating human passion. The situation is further heated by leading elites who manipulate religious identity, where as a result appears that the north of Nigeria, mostly Muslim, tends to Islamize the whole Nigeria, and the south, mostly Christian, strives to defend Christianity and the constitutional secularism of the state. In such a situation, religion, instead of calming passions and tensions, thanks to its leaders, opens the way to conflict, violence, extremism, and, finally, terrorism. The central understanding of the formation of the identity of religion and its transformation from conflict to violence is the rise of religious extremism throughout the country. Extremist groups show significant intolerance towards members of their own and other religions, react to social, economic and political crises of Nigerian politics, of course in religious terms, which later leads to conflicts. The integration of religion into Nigerian politics, which we can thank the colonial rulers, is one of the leading problems and it is precisely this that stands behind religious violence and political instability in the country.

A critical look at Didache 1:4b and its reflection on the non-retaliation of the Nigerian church

Didache 1:4b – ἐὰν λάβῃ τίς ἀπὸ σοῦ τὸ σόν, μὴ ἀπαἱτeι, οὐδὲ γὰρ δύνασαι [if anyone takes something from you that is yours, do not ask it back, because you should not or would not be able to] – is discussed in this article as problematic to the present mindset of the Nigerian church, especially as frontal attacks and premeditated persecutions from rival religions daily threaten to exterminate the Christian faith in Nigeria. This article argues that the Christians in Nigeria unwittingly interpreted this first-century document and wrongly so because this interpretation has metamorphosed into an ideology. The article suggests a sharp measure against this ideology. Contribution: The church in Nigeria is controlled in their attitude towards self-defense by the text of Didache 1:4b. This article’s contribution is a reexamination of the text in comparison to its parallel in the synoptic texts to assert that the synoptic texts, instead of Didache 1:4b, suggests non-violent self-defense.

Connectivity and communion: The mobile phone and the Christian religious experience in Nigeria

This article explores the integration of the mobile phone into the religious experience of Christians in Nigeria. Based on the results of an online survey and the author’s observation, it argues that the mobile phone has become an actant in the mediatization of religion, creating dependency among some users and transforming religious praxis in palpable ways. Unsurprisingly, perspectives vary on whether and how the phone should be used during worship. Attitudes coalesce around three viewpoints, leading to the emergence of user groups labelled critics, advocates, and dualists. The accounts of study participants give access into the ways some people seek to (re)configure their engagement with religion by inserting the mobile phone as a multifunctional techno-spiritual gadget.

We are in the world but not of the world: An investigation into the popularity of Christian films among ‘born-again’ Christians in Nigeria

We are in the world but not of the world: An investigation into the popularity of Christian films among ‘born-again’ Christians in Nigeria

Media Narrative Creation of Inter-Religious Conflict and Its Repercussion on National Development in Nigeria: A Dialectic Discourse on the Media’s Role as an Instrument for Conflict Construction and Management

This paper examined the extent to which the mass media narrative serves as an instrument of the escalation, degeneration and de-escalation of religious-related conflicts in Nigeria, especially in the Northern part of the country and the consequent effects of the role of the mass media in national development. Thus, the media narrative is seen as a factor constructing religious conflicts which occur so often. The sources of the literature reviewed were the main method employed in the collection of data. Grounded in the mediatisation theory perspective, this paper examined news reports and analysis, editorials, contents of newspapers, radio broadcasts, television news and international news agencies’ reports on ethnoreligious conflicts. From the analysis, the paper highlights that even in instances when conflicts arose as a result of other factors, they usually assumed religious colourations thus making them intractable and the mass media in the country during reportage of inter-religious conflicts play roles as diverse as the interests of their owners and editors: geographical locations and ethnic and religious affiliations. This paper, therefore, recommends a paradigm shift in the inter-religious narrative by the media to play down conflict situations rather than escalate them for national development. This is because conflicts, generally, are complex and so their narrative should be handled with care to avoid generation and escalation of further conflicts. This paper also proposes that ethnic identity, political identity and religious identity influence media narrative of religious conflicts in Nigeria. Policy recommendations were offered at the end. Keywords: Islam and Christianity in Nigeria, Media and ethnoreligious conflict in Nigeria, Media and inter-religious conflict in Nigeria, Media and conflict resolution, Media narrative of conflicts, Mediatisation of religious issues DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/91-04 Publication date: June 30th 2020

Media Narrative Creation of Inter-Religious Conflict and Its Repercussion on National Development in Nigeria: A Dialectic Discourse on the Media’s Role as an Instrument for Conflict Construction and Management

This paper examined the extent to which the mass media narrative serves as an instrument of the escalation, degeneration and de-escalation of religious-related conflicts in Nigeria, especially in the Northern part of the country and the consequent effects of the role of the mass media in national development. Thus, the media narrative is seen as a factor constructing religious conflicts which occur so often. The sources of the literature reviewed were the main method employed in the collection of data. Grounded in the mediatisation theory perspective, this paper examined news reports and analysis, editorials, contents of newspapers, radio broadcasts, television news and international news agencies’ reports on ethnoreligious conflicts. From the analysis, the paper highlights that even in instances when conflicts arose as a result of other factors, they usually assumed religious colourations thus making them intractable and the mass media in the country during reportage of inter-religious conflicts play roles as diverse as the interests of their owners and editors: geographical locations and ethnic and religious affiliations. This paper, therefore, recommends a paradigm shift in the inter-religious narrative by the media to play down conflict situations rather than escalate them for national development. This is because conflicts, generally, are complex and so their narrative should be handled with care to avoid generation and escalation of further conflicts. This paper also proposes that ethnic identity, political identity and religious identity influence media narrative of religious conflicts in Nigeria. Policy recommendations were offered at the end. Keywords: Islam and Christianity in Nigeria, Media and ethnoreligious conflict in Nigeria, Media and inter-religious conflict in Nigeria, Media and conflict resolution, Media narrative of conflicts, Mediatisation of religious issues DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/91-04 Publication date: June 30th 2020

Dynamism of Religious Dialogue (Inter-Faith Meeting) and the Growth of Christianity in Nigeria

Religious diversity is a possible feature of any human society. Even in a religious homogenous society, there are factions and sects within a particular religion. The diversity in religious conviction gives rise to a lot of options based on religious inclination. The society in which the religion is practiced need to be at peace for the religion to thrive and be propagated hence, dialogue is necessary as to see how the orthodoxy and orthopraxy can lead to peaceful co-existence as they define the societal norms and values. It is in this respect that this paper examines the issues of dynamism of religious dialogue or inter-faith meeting in the light of growth of Christianity in Nigeria, being a multi-faith, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society Using the historical and phenomenological perspectives, the paper found out that since the 19thcentury inter-religious dialogue have been in progress and will need to continue. The foundation for religious dialogue and peaceful co-existence was laid by Chief Shodeke on December 5 1842 in Abeokuta when the three contending religious leaders - Islam, traditional religion and Christianity were invited to explain their philosophies. It was discovered that inter-religious dialogue melts the walls of in-difference and enhances understanding of the religious world view. We therefore conclude that inter-faith dialogue which offers opportunity for understanding and respect of non-Christian neighbours should be sustained for the acceptance and growth of Christianity in Nigeria.
 Key words: Dynamism, dialogue, ecumenical, inter-faith, growth.

Nigeria-Israeli Relations: “So Fragile So Emotional”

Israel is technologically advanced and as a result of it, Nigeria after independence in 1960 had  developed ties with the State of Israel particularly in areas of agricultural and technical know how. Unfortunately, the Middle East crisis has made the relationship to be rocky at times due to  Nigerians’ religious differences. The predominantly Northern Muslims often reacted adversely  towards the Jews due to the Palestinian question while the Southern dominated Christians do not  see anything wrong with the Jewish seizure of Palestinian lands in West Bank and Gaza. The  break-up of diplomatic ties after the Yom Kipurr War of 1973 by the Oragnisation of African  Unity (OAU) was perceived by the Christians in Nigeria as an undue Muslim overreach. This  theoretically based research paper used both secondary sources, newspapers and internet  materials, to interrogate Nigeria-Israeli relations. The paper concludes that no human relations is  sustained on emotions and religious sentiments. Nigerian-Israeli relations has come of age and it  should be based on mutual beneficial opportunities for the good of both countries. On the other  hand, Nigeria stands to gain from Israeli’s military, technical and agricultural advancement if she  becomes more adroit and less emotional in her relations with Israel.&nbsp

The roles of indigenous missionaries and Christians in the expansion of Christianity in Nigeria, 1860–1969

The contextual perspective that this article challenges is the neglect of significant contributions of indigenous African missionaries and Christians by some early missionary historiographers whose writings largely focused on European missionaries. This created a lacuna in the proper documentation of African missionary enterprises. The research will not only serve as a platform to discover the socio-religious importance of past African Christian heroes of Nigerian origin but also provide additional information on existing African historiography not from the perspective of Europeans but Africans, using both theological and scientific approaches with the aim of presenting more accurate records in church history. This will serve as a biography of African Christianity.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article has intra- and interdisciplinary implications for African philosophy, African traditional religion and ethics because most theories and views of Africans in these fields are yet to be largely researched to bring into the limelight their relevance to African realities.

The Divine Response to Violence in Genesis 4:1-16: A Model for Nigerian Christians’ Response to Terrorism

Terrorism is a global phenomenon. It occurs virtually in all parts of the world, Nigeria inclusive. It is one of the various forms of violence against Christians in Nigeria. It usually comes in the form of extremists’ attacks against Christians in Nigeria. With the high prevalence of such attacks against Christians, what should be the Christian response to them? I adopt a descriptive approach to argue that prayer is an effective way of responding to violence against Christians in Nigeria. In order to achieve this purpose, I first engage in exegeting Genesis 4:1-16. Afterward, I describe the nature of violence against Christians in Nigeria. Finally, I describe what should be the response of Christians in Nigeria to violence against them. Keywords: Christians in Nigeria, Violence, Divine Response, Terrorism, Nigerian Christians’ Response DOI : 10.7176/JPCR/43-01 Publication date : April 30 th 2019

Reading the Parable of the Rich Barn-Builder (Luke 12:13-21) in theContext of the Problem of Materialism in Contemporary Nigerian Christianity

The quest for material possessions has become a dilemma in contemporary Nigerian Christianity. This research therefore focuses on interpreting the parable of the Rich Barn-Builder in Luke 12:13-21 in the context of materialistic view of Christianity in Nigeria since available scholarly works on the subject are not contextualized within biblical pericope that deal with issues of Christians and materialism. Elements of diachronic method of exegesis was applied to this effect and it was found out that the parable of the Rich Barn-Builder in Luke condemns, in the most strongest terms, covetousness which manifests in quest for earthly/material possessions which, in turn, runs contrary to interest in God. In this regard, the research showed that the teachings of this parable warn Nigerian Christians about the danger in seeking material possessions as an end in itself or, for selfish purposes at the expense of interest in God and use of wealth in the service of humanity. The research therefore recommends for strong de-emphasis on the view that material possessions are a manifestation God’s salvation which has become a dominant ground on which contemporary Nigerian Christianity grows.

The Gospel and the Impact of Poverty on the Practice of Ideal Christianity in Nigeria

The Gospel and the Impact of Poverty on the Practice of Ideal Christianity in Nigeria

Development and Challenges of Ecumenical Movement in Nigeria

“The attainment of union is the concern of the whole Church, faithful and shepherds alike. This concern extends to everyone, according to his talent, whether it be exercised in his daily Christian life or in his theological and historical research. This concern itself reveals already to some extent the bond of brotherhood between all Christians and it helps toward that full and perfect unity which God in His kindness wills.” This statement from the Second Vatican Council’s Decree on Ecumenism, presents journey towards unity of all Christian as imperative for all Christians irrespective of nationality and status. This makes ecumenical movement most relevant in a pluralistic society like Nigeria with diverse cultures and tradition, different ethnic and religious sentiments. The objective of the work is to present different stages of ecumenical movement in Nigeria as well as the extent of participation and contributions of various Christian denominations at each stage of its development. This work also aims at considering those attitudes of many Christians in Nigeria that pose as challenge or stumbling block to the realization of unity among Christians. Some of which are ignorance of the teaching and practical principles of ecumenism, Christian fundamentalism and fanaticism, personal-interest, religious and ethnic sentiments which ordinarily had already created a division and mutual suspicion among Nigerian people. Bearing in mind that Christians are “salt of the earth and light of the world,” the actualization of unity among Christians in Nigeria will serve as catalyst to full realization of peace, justice and unity in Nigeria. Hence, this work propose spiritual ecumenism and Christian cooperation as practical steps to the attainment of Christian unity in Nigeria.

The Muslim response to the Pentecostal surge in Nigeria: Prayer and the rise of charismatic Islam

AbstractThe paper postulates the emergence of a charismatic form of Islam in Western Nigeria, indexed by new modalities of prayer, modes of worship and proselytizing, organizational features, and repertoires of devotion that closely approximate forms and expressions normally exclusively associated with Pentecostal Christianity. It is argued that this new formation of Islam, while apparently triggered by Pentecostalism’s recent success in a competitive religious field, is not simply mimetic; but also reflects internal discourses and tensions within Islam, which unfold against the backdrop of political competition with Christianity in Nigeria.

Ethnic Conflict between the Muslims and Christians in Nigeria: The Dilemma of Decision-Making of the Political Elites

This paper examines how ethnic conflict occurred as a result of actions or decisions made by either local government, state or federal government in Nigeria. Ethnic conflict can be triggered due to various factors, such geographical proximity, group identity, deliberate manipulation of negative perceptions by political leaders, competition of resources, weakness of political institution transitions to democracy, and etc. However, the main focus of this paper is the implementation of Shari’a law in the Northern Nigeria and how the decisions and the implementations have led to blood-shed conflicts in the country. In general, a number of blood-shed events that occurred in Nigeria are also due to the process of decision-making by the political elites that could not fulfil the requirements of the respective ethnic groups. The implications had been overwhelmingly devastating in the country. Uncountable lives were lost via mayhem and blood-shed wars. Homes, shops and properties were destroyed. The economic implications of ethnic conflict have resulted in unequal distribution of resources among individual, groups and regions within the country. The growing economic disparities may increase the fear of those ethnic groups that are disadvantaged; this has warranted that the ignorant masses are often being remote and mobilized by the political class to engage in religious crisis in order to achieve their selfish political interests. In the same vein, similar ethnic based political movements have arisen in Nigeria. Therefore, decision-making is one source that could lead to ethnic conflict in a multi-cultural and ethnic country like Nigeria. Decision-making approach was used to examine the scene of conflict by focusing only on the religious conflict between Muslims and Christians in the country.

A Coat of Many Doctrinal Controversies: An X-Ray of Nigerian Christian Spirituality

A coat of many doctrinal controversies: an x-ray of Nigerian Christian spirituality appraised some salient doctrinal differences among Christian denominations in Nigeria, which often hampered unity among the competing denominations in the 21st century. Findings showed that there was lack of national unity among the Christian churches. Factors that conditioned the doctrinal controversy included sacraments, sola scriptura, sola fide, sola gracia, indulgence, perpetual virginity of Mary, purgatory, infallibility of the Pope, women ordination, infant baptism, homosexuality among others. The work recommended that oneness of Christians in Nigeria should be Christocentric, unity in diversity, and sola scriptura. Methods of approach are historical, comparative and descriptive methods. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3s2p367