To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Christianity – Nigeria.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Christianity – Nigeria'
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 46 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'Christianity – Nigeria.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse dissertations / theses on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Obinna, Elijah Oko. "Negotiating culture : Christianity and the Ogo society in Amasiri, Nigeria." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/5463.
Full textAbstract:
There have been two key difficulties concerning the study of indigenous rituals, religious conversion and change among the Igbo of South-eastern Nigeria, both before and after the missionary upsurge of the mid-nineteenth Century. First is the inadequate awareness or lack of reflexivity by some scholars regarding the resilience of the Igbo indigenous religions. Second is the neglect of oral sources and the overdependence on missionary archives. This thesis draws on field research on the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN) and the Ogo society in Amasiri. The research method follows a triangulation research design which incorporates an ethnographic methodology. This involves participant observation and interviews, thus allowing for a set of guidelines that connect theoretical paradigms to strategies of inquiry and methods for collecting empirical data. Within the Amasiri clan it is expected that every male will be initiated into the Ogo society as a means of attaining manhood as well as incorporation into the adult group. Refusal to be initiated into the society amounts to ostracisation and a loss of social relevance. The thesis examines the establishment, growth and impact of Christianity among the Amasiri clan in its different phases (colonial and post-colonial eras) - 1927-2008. It demonstrates the interaction between Amasiri indigenous religions and Christianity, in order to show how and to what extent the Ogo society has endured over time. The thesis analyses specific beliefs and ritual practices of the Ogo society and Christianity, paying close attention to the resultant tensions as well as the dynamic of acquired and lived religious identities. In view of the complex patterns of interaction between Christianity and the Ogo society, the thesis explores the following questions: What makes the Ogo society an integral part of the socio-religious life of Amasiri and what powers and identity does it confer on initiates? How are these predominantly indigenous cultural features, expressed within Christian spirituality? What effect does the construction and negotiation of religious identities have on the interaction and co-existence of Christians and members of the Ogo society? Furthermore, three themes were central to this research: the first is the gender dynamic of initiation processes into the Ogo society. The second is the pattern of religious change, identity and politics of Christianity and indigenous cultures. The third is analysing the need for and limits on effective dialogue between Christians and members of the Ogo society. The thesis raises a crucial question, whether religious conversion is partial or total repudiation of indigenous cultures. These analyses propose a viable means of negotiation between Christianity and the Ogo society in Amasiri. It sets the stage for a dialogue between Christianity and the Ogo society, a dialogue that takes the indigenous context seriously.
2
Ojo, Matthews Akintunde. "The growth of Campus Christianity and Charismatic Movements in western Nigeria." Thesis, SOAS, University of London, 1986. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.327369.
Full text
3
Erhueh, Anthony O. "THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO POLITICS IN NIGERIA A HISTORICO-THEOLOGICAL OVERVIEW." Bulletin of Ecumenical Theology, 1989. http://digital.library.duq.edu/u?/bet,1335.
Full text
4
Baiyewu, Timothy Olu Wilson [Verfasser], and Ulrich [Akademischer Betreuer] Berner. "The Transformation of Aladura Christianity in Nigeria / Timothy Olu Wilson Baiyewu. Betreuer: Ulrich Berner." Bayreuth : Universität Bayreuth, 2015. http://d-nb.info/1080698817/34.
Full text
5
Obiabo, Ebute. "The Idoma of Benue State Nigeria : their reception and development of Christianity since 1924." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/30598.
Full textAbstract:
The process of Idema reception and development of Christianity was initiated by British Methodist missionaries in 1924. Such a process requires a cultural transformation through which Christianity is re-shaped to suit the Idema need, custom and traditions thereby regaining the lost cultural cohesion which the Idema need to adapt Christianity and spread it among themselves. Chapter one introduces the reasons for the choice of this study and the aims, purpose, and methodology of the research. It calls attention to the need to see the Idema as subjects of religious change and not merely as objects of evangelisation by overseas missionaries. Chapter two commences with the consideration of Idema ethnicity in which the problem of the origin and development of ethnicity is briefly addressed. Having defined Idema ethnicity, the chapter considers some cultural rites of passage common to all Idema namely: birth, marriage, death and burial. This leads to a discussion of Idema theology in Chapter three, in which it is defined, explained and compared to other types of primal African theology. Chapter four focuses on the overall history of how the Idema made contact with Christianity, and their reaction to the Methodist missionaries and their early activities. Chapter five begins one of the central arguments of this thesis, focusing on the spread of Christianity in Idema and the use of education as an agency of evangelism and church growth. The methods and aims of Methodist mission education in Idema and the messages that were passed on are critically examined and evaluated. Chapter six represents the heart of this thesis, focusing on contextual factors in the reception and development of Christianity in Idema, with particular reference to Bible translation. The chapter evaluates how the New Testament was translated, and argues that the problem of inculturating Christianity into Idema life and culture has not been sufficiently looked at either scientifically, ethnographically, linguistically, historically or culturally.
6
Akinlotan, Joseph Yemi. "Managing the contemporary Roman Church : an analysis of selected aspects of institutional leadership and related organisational issues in the Archdiocese of Lagos, Nigeria as illustrated by reference to the early church and two Scottish Archdioceses." Thesis, University of Stirling, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/3505.
Full textAbstract:
The Christian Church has undergone a process of institutional transformation since its establishment almost two thousand years ago. This transformation has changed an originally fluid and charismatic organisation into an hierarchical one, with its leadership (Roman Catholic) entrusted only to the ordained clergy. This type of Christian Church brought to Nigeria by the early catholic missionaries has both its advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages is the increasing membership of the Roman Catholic community and the increased production of indigenous priests. However, the strategy of early missionary evangelisation marginalised the role and effectiveness of the Catholic laity in Church activities. Thus, the management of the Church as an organisation is wholly in the hands of the ordained. However, the continued worldwide decline in the recruitment and number of priests, and the unfavourable priest-to-laity ratio - particularly in Nigeria - both indicate a need for a change. Furthermore, the influence of both celibacy and contemporary social factors (for example, the unwillingness to enter a life-long relationship that priestly and religious life demands), and the innovation which the Second Vatican Council advocated all cast doubt on the viability of the continuation of the status quo. These issues, therefore, make - greater, involvement of the Christian faithful in Church management and leadership inevitable, particularly in those countries like Nigeria where the demand for priestly ministration is on the increase, and the laity are increasingly willing to use their pneumatic gifts within the Church. These (pneumatic gifts) are the spiritual and other gifts received by baptised members, and include preaching, administration and prophecy. It is the manner of the laity's involvement on the universal and arch/diocesan levels that are explored in this thesis. The thesis also examines the major factors that contribute to the shortage of priests, and candidates for priestly and religious life, and explores the arguments for and against the continuation of the existing ecclesiastical law of clerical celibacy. Some recommendations are suggested that could ensure that the Roman Church continues to be relevant in the contemporary time to Catholics everywhere both on the universal and arch/diocesan levels. For the archdiocese of Lagos, Nigeria, the need to reorganise the archdiocesan structure is highlighted, as is the possibility of introducing some 'new' ministries particularly to involve the many pneumatically gifted laity is offered. Finally, it is argued that if the initiatives engendered by the Second Vatican Council were followed through, the conclusions and recommendations arrived at in this thesis are inevitable, and the Roman Church could either generously initiate these changes now or allow the changes to force themselves upon the Church in the future.
7
Pruitt, Richard A. "The incultuartion of the Christian Gospel theory and theology with special reference to the Igbo of southeastern Nigeria /." Diss., Columbia, Mo. : University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10355/5061.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007.<br>The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on month day year) Includes bibliographical references.
8
Chukwu, Isidore-Splendour. "Christianity and African Traditional Religion (ATR): A Conundrum of Crisis in Faith in Igboland, Nigeria." Thesis, Boston College, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2345/bc-ir:108079.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis advisor: Richard Lennan<br>Thesis advisor: Dominic Doyle<br>Religion is central and vital for an Igbo person. No Igbo person exists in isolation from his/her community. An indigenous and traditional Igbo society is communal; it does not entertain any sense of individuality. But the coming of the missionaries broke into this communal bond with a new religion that threatened the traditional society when it began to exalt the individual soul. The Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe, in his book Things Fall Apart, portrays a situation in which an African indigenous missionary (Mr. Kiaga) succeeds in separating a son (Nwoye) from his African parent (Okonkwu) so that the son can become a Christian and be saved. But alone? As the son leaves his parents’ house for the mission compound the missionary quotes the Bible, “Blessed is he who forsakes his father and mother for my sake…” Achebe’s story depicts a situation in which the family is utterly divided as a result of the parents’ or their children’s conversion to Christianity. At this point, things fall apart. The pivotal core of the traditional Igbo society cannot hold again. The majority of the missionaries saw African religion from within their Western understanding and concluded that it was heathen, anti-Christian, and repulsive. African societies started to disintegrate when traditional religion was attacked. A rift occurs between the family and the extended family. Instead of bringing reconciliation and understanding, Christianity in this case brings division. This is because converts were instructed to leave everything behind, including families, for the sake of the gospel. But the Igbo Traditional Religion looked at life in a holistic way. There was no contradiction between sacred and profane, hence many people were horrified when the first converts wanted to set themselves apart, away from other members of the community. This is why inculturation is important, as it enables the Igbo Christian to see and experience life in a holistic manner without doing needless violence to cultural values. The failure of the early missionaries to inculturate the cultural values of the people is the conundrum. The result raises some theological problems. In the attempt to ascertain a balance, most times, the Christians in Africa, particularly in Igboland, find themselves oscillating between Christianity and African Traditional Religion (ATR). The need for a reconciliation is long overdue. It is best given a lasting, concrete and a dialogical chance through inculturation<br>Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2018<br>Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry<br>Discipline: Sacred Theology
9
Asake, Musa Nchock. "An evaluation of the historical development of Christianity among the Bajju of Northern Nigeria with special emphasis on selected ethical-doctrinal tensions." Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), 1991. http://www.tren.com.
Full text
10
Williams, Corey L. "Interreligious encounter in a West African city : a study of multiple religious belonging and identity among the Yorùbá of Ogbómòsó, Nigeria." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/21043.
Full textAbstract:
The details of encounters between religious groups in multireligious African contexts and the intricacies of living, belonging, and identifying within such milieux have hardly been explored. In Yorùbáland, the cultural region of the Yorùbá people—and the geographic context of this thesis—the fine grain and vast array of possibilities of interreligious encounter between Christians, Muslims, and adherents of African Indigenous Religions remains largely undocumented in terms of detailed, quality accounts. While most regions of West Africa and even Nigeria exist with a dominant religious tradition, Yorùbáland is a microcosm of the wider region’s multireligious composition, with Christianity, Islam, and African Indigenous Religions all playing prominent roles. The Yorùbá ‘spirit of accommodation’, a phrase often used to describe how Yorùbá culture not only tolerates, but also embeds and synthesises the religious ‘Other’, has created a unique multireligious environ and is undoubtedly one of the optimum contexts in the world to study interreligious encounter within a single ethnolinguistic area. Comprised of fieldwork and research conducted from 2009-2014, this thesis works toward addressing the aforementioned gap in scholarship with two ethnographic case studies of people who simultaneously belong and/or identify with multiple religious groups and traditions in the predominantly Yorùbá city of Ogbómòsó, Nigeria. The first case study examines a new religious group known as the Ogbómòsó Society of Chrislam (OSC). Interreligious encounter in this instance features a group that intentionally combines elements from Christian, Muslim, and indigenous Yorùbá religious traditions, creating dynamic examples of multiple religious belongings and identities. The second case study examines multiple religious belonging and identity at the annual Ogbómòsó Egúngún festival. Interreligious encounter in this instance features 12 individual narrative accounts focusing on each individual’s religious belonging and identity throughout key points in their life. Beyond its important ethnographical contributions, the thesis offers methodological and theoretical insight into approaching religious belonging and identity as complex and fluid processes, rather than static and singular events. It argues that approaches that only allow for the possibility of classifying people in single, discrete categories masks the varied, dynamic, and complex belongings and identities of people in the lived world, many of who live across and within multiple religious groups and traditions.
11
Umaru, Thaddeus Byimui. "Toward Christian-Muslim dialogue and peace-building activities in Northern Nigeria : theological reflection." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2013. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/4249/.
Full textAbstract:
The aim of this dissertation is to examine critically the incessant inter-religious conflicts in Northern Nigeria, to identify the real causes of such conflicts and to suggest theological and practical ways to sustain peace building endeavours. Conflicts as an inevitable part of human existence can be triggered and exacerbated by numerous factors. Religion as a powerful impulse in human existence has been used to fuel conflict in Northern Nigeria. Radical religious strife, quest for more converts, colonisation, ethnicity, and perceived political domination have strengthened stereotypical views of the self and the other. Religion is closely intertwined with culture and thus central in the understanding and establishment of peace in society; continue to play paradoxical role in the locality. Religion can be a cause of conflict and a way of conflict resolution. In Nigeria religion has failed to establish the peace which it has claimed to promote, because deep historical feuds have found expression in religion, and religion is thus at the core of the strife as experienced in contemporary Northern Nigeria. The theology of the Second Vatican Council, in which the Roman Catholic Church reflects on its self-understanding as a community and its role in the world, provides a first model for the encounter between Christianity and other religions in mutual understanding. This thesis considers the theological potential of this interreligious encounter (or dialogue) between Islamic and Christian traditions in general and the possibilities and difficulties of dialogue between Muslims and Christians in Northern Nigeria in particular. Moreover, this study delves into the need for engagement between theology and politics in addressing issues of conflict. It explores the theology of interreligious dialogue as a means for a promising peace-building process in Northern Nigeria. Religion as a significant part of the problem is equally essential in proffering solutions. However, taken on their own terms, neither religion nor politics have comprehensive answers. Hence, any peace building project in Northern Nigeria must be multi-faceted. It could be, modelled on a theological approach for encounter and dialogue which examines common grounds for collaboration within the two faith traditions, in an attempt to consider and strengthen peace-building endeavours within the region.
12
Ahmodu, Elizabeth Eleojo. "Religious disturbances in Nigeria a guide to sources of information /." Zaria : Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, 1989. http://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/25627848.html.
Full text
13
Maxey, Gary S. "Coaching committee chairs for the Congress on Christian Ethics in Nigeria." Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), 1998. http://www.tren.com.
Full text
14
Onwunta, Uma Agwu. "Ethnicity and missional strategies within the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/17328.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (D.Th.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study and dissertation examines “Ethnicity and missional strategies within the Presbyterian
Church of Nigeria.” A historical study of the mission methods and an empirical study of current
missionary practices in the church point to the need for a new missional identity of the church. This
missional identity requires a reversal of and a change to missionary strategies that should result into
reconciliatory missiology.
In the process of making this assessment of the Presbyterian mission in Nigeria, it was necessary to revisit
the missionary ecclesiologies that shaped and contributed to the present identity. Thus, the
research focused on the missionary impact of the Church of Scotland, Presbyterian Church in Canada,
Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Netherlands Reformed Church (NRC). Insights from these
historical excursions helped in determining not only the blessings that these ecclesiologies brought to
bear on Nigerian Presbyterianism but also in discovering the burdens they brought on their trails,
especially, regarding the seed of racism which was a precursor to the present ethnocentrism in the PCN.
The second segment of this research was the empirical study of the current mission and work of the
PCN. Using a focus group approach, sixteen leaders (8 Nigerians, 7 Canadians and 1 American) were
interviewed through a structured questionnaire. The responses from these leaders were analysed in this
paper and details of the analysis applied in chapter 4. The assumption in the hypothesis that the bane of
contemporary PCN mission is ethnocentrism was affirmed. This problem as the research showed, was
compounded by lack of adequate theological response both in the educational training and the liturgical
activities of the church.
Combining the historical data and the empirical research carried out, it was determined that the PCN
needs a new theological orientation that can move it from the present institutionalized mode to a
missonal frame. It was shown that this process would require a new definition of mission and a
rediscovery of missional biblical metaphors that suit a conflict-ridden context of the Church as we have
it in Nigeria. Three important metaphors were selected: community, servant and messenger. These
metaphors formed the theological foundation for subsequent discussions on a missional frame which is
the focus of chapter five. Chapter six outlines the meaning of conflicts and the causes of conflicts in Nigeria arguing for a
reconciliatory missiology with a theologically-driven dialogue as its strategy. A theologically –driven
dialogue is a strategy that, as is presented, enables the church to be God’s counter-cultural agent in the
world, holding in tension the four cardinal points of obedience, critical contextualization, discernment
and the anticipation of Christ’s return. It is argued that dialogue is a credible theological option through
which the PCN can engage in the process of true reconciliation in the Nigerian society – a
reconciliation which is based on the biblical cornerstones of truth, justice, peace and mercy. It is a task
and a challenge for reconciliatory missiology - a momentous task the PCN is called upon to pursue in
the 21st century.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif ondersoek “Etnisiteit en missionale strategieë van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk in
Nigerië”. ʼn Historiese blik op die sending metodes en ʼn studie van huidige missionêre praktyke binne
die kerk dui daarop dat die kerk ʼn nuwe missionale identiteit benodig. ’n Nuwe missionale identiteit
vereis ʼn transformasieproses in die huidige benadering van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië sodat
die weg tot ʼn versoenende benadering gevind kan word.
Om die huidige situasie te kan evalueer moes die missionêre ekklesiologie wat vorm gegee en bygedra
het tot die huidige identiteit geëvalueer word. Gevolglik is die missionêre impak van die Kerk van
Skotland, die Presbiteriaanse Kerke van Kanada en Amerika en die Nederlandse Gereformeerde Kerk
nagegaan. Hulle het in baie opsigte help vorm aan die huidige identiteit van die Presbiteriaanse kerk in
Nigerië. Die positiewe maar ook negatiewe gevolge van hulle werk is beskryf. Een aspek van hul werk
was die invloed van die stille rassisme wat destyds geheers het en wat die voorloper was van die
huidige etnosentrisme in die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië.
Die tweede deel van die navorsing ondersoek die huidige missionêre bediening en ingesteldheid van
die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië. Deur middel van ʼn fokus groep benadering en ’n vraelys, is
onderhoude gevoer met 16 kerkleiers (8 Nigeriërs, 7 Kanadese en 1 Amerikaner). Die antwoorde van
hierdie kerkleiers is geanaliseer en in hoofstuk 4 bespreek. Die voorveronderstelling in die hipotese dat
die PKN etnosentrisme openbaar, is bevestig. Hierdie probleem, soos aangetoon in die navorsing, is
versterk deur ʼn gebrek aan voldoende teologiese refleksie in die teologiese onderrig en in die liturgiese
aktiwiteite van die kerk.
Die historiese data en die empiriese navorsing toon aan dat die PKN ʼn nuwe teologiese oriëntasie
benodig en dat dit slegs kan geskied as daar wegbeweeg word vanaf die huidige geïnstitusionaliseerde
bedieningspraktyk na ʼn missionale raamwerk. Verder het dit duidelik geword dat ʼn nuwe verstaan van
sending en ʼn herontdekking van missionale bybelse metafore nodig is om te spreek tot die konflik
geteisterde konteks van die kerk in Nigerië. Drie belangrike metafore is voorgestel: gemeenskap,
dienaar en boodskapper. Hierdie metafore voorsien die teologiese fundering vir die bespreking van ’n
missionale verwysingsraamwerk vir die kerk se bediening. Hoofstuk 6 lig die betekenis van konflik asook die oorsake van konflik in Nigerië uit en argumenteer
vir ʼn versoenende missiologie met ʼn teologies-gemotiveerde dialoog as strategie. ʼn Teologiesgemotiveerde
dialoog is ʼn strategie wat, soos voorgelê in die navorsing, die kerk bemagtig om te
reageer op die heersende kultuur, waar die vier kardinale aspekte van gehoorsaamheid, kritiese
kontekstualisasie, onderskeiding en die afwagting van Christus se wederkoms byeen gebring word.
Daar word geargumenteer dat dialoog ʼn waardige teologiese opsie is waardeur die Presbiteriaanse Kerk
van Nigerië binne die Nigeriese samelewing kan opereer in ʼn proses van ware versoening – ʼn
versoening wat gebaseer is op die bybelse hoekstene van waarheid, geregtigheid, vrede en genade. Die
uitdaging van ʼn versoenende missiologie is die uitdaging waartoe die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië
in die 21ste eeu geroepe is.
15
Hounguevou, Barnabé. ""Mi Na Kpa Glagla Nu Aklunon: We will Lend a Hand To God”: Challenges and Opportunities of Double Religious Belonging in Benin and Nigeria." Thesis, Boston College, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/2345/bc-ir:109187.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis advisor: Catherine Cornille<br>Thesis advisor: Margaret Guider<br>Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2021<br>Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry<br>Discipline: Sacred Theology
16
Ayuba, Yusuf Larry Sanda. "The impact of Knunu ('tradition') on Christian conversion : a case study of the Gbagyi of Nigeria." Thesis, University of Liverpool, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.722144.
Full text
17
Onwunta, Uma Agwu. "The impact of ethnicity on the missional strategies within the Presbyterian church of Nigeria." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1170.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (DTh (Practical Theology and Missiology ))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study and dissertation examines the “Impact of ethnicity on the missional strategies within the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.” A historical study of the mission methods and an empirical study of current missionary practices in the church point to the need for a new missional identity of the church. This missional identity requires a reversal of and a change to missionary strategies that should result into reconciliatory missiology. In the process of making this assessment of the Presbyterian mission in Nigeria, it was
necessary to re-visit the missionary ecclesiologies that shaped and contributed to the
present identity. Thus, the research focused on the missionary impact of the Church of
Scotland, Presbyterian Church in Canada, Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Netherlands Reformed Church (NRC). Insights from these historical excursions helped in determining not only the blessings that these ecclesiologies brought to bear on Nigerian Presbyterianism but also in discovering the burdens they brought on their trails, especially, regarding the seed of racism which was a precursor to the present
ethnocentrism in the PCN. The second segment of this research was the empirical study of the current mission and work of the PCN. Using a focus group approach, sixteen leaders (8 Nigerians, 7 Canadians and 1 American) were interviewed through a structured questionnaire. The responses from these leaders were analysed in this paper and details of the analysis applied in chapter 4. The assumption in the hypothesis that the bane of contemporary PCN mission is ethnocentrism was affirmed. This problem as the research showed, was compounded by lack of adequate theological response both in the educational training and the liturgical activities of the church. Combining the historical data and the empirical research carried out, it was determined that the PCN needs a new theological orientation that can move it from the present institutionalized mode to a missonal frame. It was shown that this process would require a new definition of mission and a rediscovery of missional biblical metaphors that suit a conflict-ridden context of the Church as we have it in Nigeria. Three important metaphors
were selected: community, servant and messenger. These metaphors formed the theological foundation for subsequent discussions on a missional frame which is the focus of chapter five. Chapter six outlines the meaning of conflicts and the causes of conflicts in Nigeria arguing for a reconciliatory missiology with a theologically-driven dialogue as its strategy. A theologically –driven dialogue is a strategy that, as is presented, enables the church to be God’s counter-cultural agent in the world, holding in tension the four cardinal points of obedience, critical contextualization, discernment and the anticipation of Christ’s return. It is argued that dialogue is a credible theological option through which the PCN can engage in the process of true reconciliation in the Nigerian society – a
reconciliation which is based on the biblical cornerstones of truth, justice, peace and
mercy. It is a task and a challenge for reconciliatory missiology - a momentous task the
PCN is called upon to pursue in the 21st century.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif ondersoek die “Impak van etnisiteit op die missionale strategieë van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk in Nigerië”. ʼn Historiese blik op die sending metodes en ʼn studie van huidige missionêre praktyke binne die kerk dui daarop dat die kerk ʼn nuwe missionale identiteit benodig. ’n Nuwe missionale identiteit vereis ʼn transformasieproses in die huidige benadering van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië sodat die weg tot ʼn versoenende benadering gevind kan word.
Om die huidige situasie te kan evalueer moes die missionêre ekklesiologie wat vorm gegee en bygedra het tot die huidige identiteit geëvalueer word. Gevolglik is die missionêre impak van die Kerk van Skotland, die Presbiteriaanse Kerke van Kanada en Amerika en die Nederlandse Gereformeerde Kerk nagegaan. Hulle het in baie opsigte help vorm aan die huidige identiteit van die Presbiteriaanse kerk in Nigerië. Die
positiewe maar ook negatiewe gevolge van hulle werk is beskryf. Een aspek van hul werk was die invloed van die stille rassisme wat destyds geheers het en wat die voorloper was van die huidige etnosentrisme in die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië. Die tweede deel van die navorsing ondersoek die huidige missionêre bediening en
ingesteldheid van die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië. Deur middel van ʼn fokus groep benadering en ’n vraelys, is onderhoude gevoer met 16 kerkleiers (8 Nigeriërs, 7 Kanadese en 1 Amerikaner). Die antwoorde van hierdie kerkleiers is geanaliseer en in hoofstuk 4 bespreek. Die voorveronderstelling in die hipotese dat die PKN etnosentrisme openbaar, is bevestig. Hierdie probleem, soos aangetoon in die navorsing, is versterk deur ʼn gebrek aan voldoende teologiese refleksie in die teologiese onderrig en in die
liturgiese aktiwiteite van die kerk. Die historiese data en die empiriese navorsing toon aan dat die PKN ʼn nuwe teologiese oriëntasie benodig en dat dit slegs kan geskied as daar wegbeweeg word vanaf die huidige geïnstitusionaliseerde bedieningspraktyk na ʼn missionale raamwerk. Verder het dit duidelik geword dat ʼn nuwe verstaan van sending en ʼn herontdekking van missionale bybelse metafore nodig is om te spreek tot die konflik geteisterde konteks van die kerk in Nigerië. Drie belangrike metafore is voorgestel: gemeenskap, dienaar en boodskapper. Hierdie metafore voorsien die teologiese fundering vir die bespreking van ’n missionale verwysingsraamwerk vir die kerk se bediening. Hoofstuk 6 lig die betekenis van konflik asook die oorsake van konflik in Nigerië uit en argumenteer vir ʼn versoenende missiologie met ʼn teologies-gemotiveerde dialoog as
strategie. ʼn Teologies-gemotiveerde dialoog is ʼn strategie wat, soos voorgelê in die navorsing, die kerk bemagtig om te reageer op die heersende kultuur, waar die vier kardinale aspekte van gehoorsaamheid, kritiese kontekstualisasie, onderskeiding en die afwagting van Christus se wederkoms byeen gebring word. Daar word geargumenteer dat dialoog ʼn waardige teologiese opsie is waardeur die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië binne die Nigeriese samelewing kan opereer in ʼn proses van ware versoening – ʼn
versoening wat gebaseer is op die bybelse hoekstene van waarheid, geregtigheid, vrede
en genade. Die uitdaging van ʼn versoenende missiologie is die uitdaging waartoe die Presbiteriaanse Kerk van Nigerië in die 21ste eeu geroepe is.
18
Osuigwe, Nkem Emerald. "Crude oil, conflict and Christian witness in Nigeria : Baptist and Pentecostal perspectives." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/4016.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis is essentially an ethnographic examination of the instrumentalist and functionalist reading of African evangelical Christianity that is prevalent in a section of Western scholarship. Thus, it sets out to achieve two primary objectives: to investigate, describe and analyse Christian theological and socio-political consciousness within the context of oil and conflict in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria from Baptist and Pentecostal perspectives; and to use the data to test the veracity of the prevalent account on African evangelical Christianity regarding social witness. This account is succinctly represented by Paul Gifford who claims, among other things, that such Christianity lacks social responsibility and is anti-development and a-political. In order to achieve these objectives, the thesis adopts approaches from practical theology, particularly the burgeoning field of congregational studies, with its focus on qualitative research, and African Christian Theology, with its emphasis on grassroots theology, or ‘theology from below’. Also, achieving these objectives requires an analysis and description of Nigeria’s political economy of oil and conflict, which forms the secondary goal of the study. Consequently, two local Baptist churches and a Pentecostal congregation were selected on theological, geographical, and pragmatic grounds. The thesis is in two parts. Part I, comprising Chapters One to Three, gives the background to the study. Chapter One is the introductory chapter. In Chapter Two an analysis of Gifford’s account of African evangelical and ‘fundamentalist’ Christianity is provided. Chapter Three identifies and critiques the prevalent perspectives on oil and conflict in Nigeria. Part II covered in Chapters Four to Eight comprises the core ethnographic data from the case studies and their description and analysis. Chapter Four is essentially a thick description of the three congregations. In Chapter Five the first set of theological themes from the case studies – God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit – are discussed. Also included in the chapter is their theology of prayer. Chapter Six focuses on the theme of ecclesiology and also addresses their perspective on Christian socio-political role, as well as their theology of conversion. Chapter Seven offers a detailed analysis and description of their experiences, response and understanding of oil and conflict. Chapter Eight, which is the concluding chapter, sets the research findings against Gifford’s claims and concludes that most of them are at variance with the reality in the three congregations. Possible explanations for this discrepancy are offered, as well as some implications the study has for the scholarship on African Christianity and for the three churches. The chapter also includes the description and proposal of a contextual political theology for the Niger Delta.
19
Olumuyiwa, Olubunmi Taiwo. "A history of the Methodist/Anglican collaboration in Nigeria within the Yoruba socio-cultural context." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2011. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/2904/.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis examines the history of Anglican and the Methodist churches’ collaboration in Western Nigeria during the era of the missionaries and after. The intention is to establish the approach that the early foreign missionaries bequeathed to the mission-oriented churches has been a particular problem, which has inhibited the emergence of a truly African or Nigerian form of unity particularly between the Anglican and the Methodist churches. A critical evaluation of the churches’ collaboration in Nigeria would suggest that what obtains is institutional and doctrinal unity introduced by the missionaries. While this study appreciates and commends the efforts of the early missionaries for laying these collaborative and ecumenical foundations, the study holds that it does not go far enough especially in attaining its potential to positively affect the sociocultural, religious and political challenges facing contemporary Nigeria society. Such an effective collaborative spirit is achievable only when it is contextualized, employing local and indigenous approaches including indigenous theological education. This thesis does not condemn western contributions because there are aspects of western culture that are still relevant in the context of global collaboration. However, it stresses the need for the understanding of ecumenical collaboration from different cultures particularly in Yoruba speaking region of Nigeria, so that, instead of looking up too much to the West for leadership in ecumenism, it should grow in the Nigerian climate and culture
20
Lee, Neung Sung. "Contextualization of the message, the messenger, and the church in the Tagale [sic] rural society a culturally sensitive approach /." Online full text .pdf document, available to Fuller patrons only, 2002. http://www.tren.com.
Full text
21
Ekeke, Emeka [Verfasser]. "The Impact of Reformation on the Historical and Social Development of Christianity in South-South Nigeria / Emeka Ekeke." München : GRIN Verlag, 2015. http://d-nb.info/1184033145/34.
Full text
22
Asare, Kofi. "Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity in video films : audience reception and appropriation in Ghana and the UK." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/8903.
Full textAbstract:
Religion has become one of the central themes in the Ghanaian/Nigerian video film industry. The portrayal of religious elements which mirrors the religious dynamics of the audience has been attributed partly to the success and popularity of the films. The video films have also excited religious passions as well as criticisms. The heart of the debate, as the existing studies indicate, is how the various religious traditions (often, Christianity and Indigenous religions) are represented in the video films. Whereas some scholars opine that Christianity, especially Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches are frequently privileged, others contend that the religious delineation in the video films reflect experiential issues; the churches are portrayed in line with the niche, positive or otherwise, that they have created for themselves which is well known to producers and the consumers. This study examines the religious constructs in the Ghanaian/Nigerian video films phenomenon. The main focus is an investigation into audience reception of the video films, particularly among the members of Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity in Ghana and the UK. It also explores the appropriation of the religious elements in general and Pentecostal-Charismatic narratives in selected video films. An ethnographic research method, comprising mainly of textual analysis of selected video films; participant observation and qualitative interviews, was used to draw comparative insights from a cross section of members of Action Chapel International and Word Miracle International churches in Accra and London. This thesis contributes to the on-going discourse on the Ghanaian/Nigerian video films and Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity partly popularized by Birgit Meyer and Afe Adogame. Hall’s Encoding/Decoding theoretical framework is used to explore the reception while the Uses and Gratifications theory is also adopted to examine the appropriation of the religious constructs in the Ghanaian/Nigerian video films. Notwithstanding the fluid representations of various religious traditions in Ghanaian/Nigerian video films, the findings show that the reception and uses of the religious narratives in the films by the audience comprise of a synthesis of full embrace on one hand and scepticism on the other. It was found that beyond entertainment, majority of the audience who were members of Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity focus on the religious significance of the video films. Yet, most pastors and leaders in these churches were not comfortable recommending the video films as a good partner in the religious lives of their members. As this thesis focused on only Pentecostal-Charismatic audience, further research on members of other Christian denominations or religions regarding their self-representation in the video films is recommended. This will help to establish if the reception pattern of other religious groups is complex or linked directly with the portrayal trend of one’s religion.
23
Ragnjiya, Toma Hamidu. "A model for peace building in the ethno-religious conflict in Kaduna, Nigeria." Ashland, OH : Ashland Theological Seminary, 2007. http://dx.doi.org/10.2986/tren.028-0298.
Full text
24
Elawa, Nathan Irmiya. "The significance of the cultural context in the Christianization process : a comparative study of religious change among the Jukun in British Colonial Nigeria and the Irish in early Ireland." Thesis, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, 2015. http://repository.uwtsd.ac.uk/652/.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis argues that Christianity exists only as it is embodied in particular cultures. Historically, however, those who brought the Christian message often gave little attention or understanding to indigenous cultures and points of view. The present work compares the Christianization process in two different cultural settings, focusing on the Jukun of central Nigeria and using the early Irish experience as a comparative framework. It elucidates the course of Jukun conversion by looking at the Jukun traditional cultural milieu and the missionaries’ assumptions and attitudes. It then contrasts this with the Irish Christianization experience, revealing a very different missionary attitude and an equally dissimilar indigenous experience. The focus on the Jukun is justified from an anthropological approach, presented, for instance, by Michael Adogbo and Friday Mbon. Following their paradigm of focusing on a specific cultural group, the study of the Jukun point of view is based on in-depth interviews with several elderly Wukari Jukun people. For the early missionary perspective, the thesis incorporates archival records, as well as communications with two retired missionaries who served in Wukari. The dissertation begins with an examination of the scholarly discourse on the inculturation of Christianity, particularly in Africa, and continues by describing the Jukun indigenous culture and worldview. Then it examines how Christianity impacted this society, with a focus on the kinship system. Next, early Irish society is examined, especially how their inculturation process compares and contrasts with the Jukun one. The thesis argues that the Jukun process was less successful than the Irish in terms of pre-Christian cultural practices being permitted to influence the final shape of Christianity; while Irish society shows a high degree of continuity between pre-Christian and Christian times, Jukun society demonstrates a radical discontinuity. It is hoped that the contrast between the two processes of inculturation demonstrated by the comparative nature of this thesis will contribute to the dialogue among religions and facilitate the kinds of respect and adaptability that are needed for peaceful coexistence in a globalized world.
25
Gilbert, Juliet Caroline Maria. "'Destiny is not where you are now' : fashioning new Pentecostal subjectivities among young women in Calabar, Nigeria." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2014. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:a23ecc18-f145-4556-8500-72019b445c58.
Full textAbstract:
The thesis examines young women’s livelihoods in Calabar, southeastern Nigeria. It discusses how young women aim to realise their believed ‘destinies of greatness’, reconciling aspirations of fortune with present insecurities. Pinpointing a time when the city’s universities were on indefinite strikes, the discussions depict young women’s industriousness as they ‘wait’ amid uncertainty. The thesis focuses explicitly on young women’s engagement with Pentecostalism, the religion encouraging action, timeliness, and knowledge of the self and God. Understanding how young women fashion Pentecostal subjectivities attuned with ideals of urban success, the chapters focus on various ‘sites’ in their lives: church ministries, the home, sewing shops, beauty pageants. The thesis argues that young women believe they can realise future fortune by constantly partaking in acts of self-preparation. However, as action is driven by the competing forces of fear and faith, the acts young women believe will fashion subjectivities conducive to urban success are always gambles. Illuminating the emic concept of ‘destiny’ – a classic concept in West African Anthropology, denoting personhood and lifecourse (Fortes 1987) – the thesis builds upon recent analyses of how action underpins concepts of hope (Miyazaki 2004), doubt (Pelkmans 2013), and fortune (da Col 2012; Graeber 2012). Illuminating action and futures, the discussion contributes to recent analyses of time, productivity and youth (Honwana 2012; Jeffrey 2010; Masquelier 2013a). By examining the often-ignored category of young women, the thesis develops an understanding of ‘feminine cultures of waiting’. The discussion of how Pentecostal subjectivities are fashioned, which draws different ‘sites’ of young women’s lives together, also furthers analyses of African youth by countering salient narratives of youth in violence (e.g. Vigh 2006). Focusing on young women’s livelihoods, the thesis contributes to an Anthropology of (Pentecostal) Christianity by illustrating how religious rhetoric and practice are carried out and negotiated outside formal church institutions.
26
Bandele, Oluwafemi Ayodele. "Religious participation of Christians and muslims fostering mutual social trust in Nigeria? : an exploration theological study." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/96127.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Several disciplines and scholars in the interdisciplinary field of Missiology and Science of Religions are probing the concept of ‘mutual social trust’. This research provides an exploratory and descriptive study of 1,516 individual Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, with a focus on whether religious participation is fostering mutual social trust among the ‘religious Other’. This research engages Pew’s data to show the extent to which active religious participation in and outside Christian denominations and the Ummah (Muslim Community) in Nigeria fosters mutual social trust and the reasons for this. This is interpreted in order to find out if the results have implications and could be a catalyst for affirming and promoting the human dignity of the ‘religious other’. Statistical significance is an indicator of what respondents sometimes assume is expected of them (ideal situation), and hence, the reason why a practical significance compares statistics with praxis. The data is interpreted from a statistical and practical significance perspective.
The first objective is to present similar research outputs, side by side, with how the data set used in this thesis has been investigated to address the research questions, hypotheses and research objectives. The second objective is to highlight areas of agreement, and if there are any discrepancies in the findings of this research, when compared to other studies. This study is an exploratory and descriptive research, which attempts to answer the questions such as “who, what, where, when or how and why?” A stratified random sample from all the seven geo-political regions, which are proportional to the population size and urban/rural population in Nigeria, was selected. One thousand five hundred and sixteen adults over the age of 18 years were interviewed by Pew Forum on ‘Religion and Public Life’, using English, Hausa, Yoruba and Pidgin languages. This sample was considered nationally representative of the Nigerian adult population. The findings indicate that a high level of uncertainty and tension exists among Christians and Muslims with regards to trusting one another in the Nigerian context. This kind of tension leads to violence and constant clashes, resulting in the kind of experiences between Muslim and Christians, recorded in recent times. The Muslims and Christians in Nigeria have had a long history of misunderstandings and through these collective learning processes; they have reached a point that the evolving and changing patterns of trust indicates their way of coping with the situation. Trust in this situation impacts on society as a “consensual reality,” which reflects on the group behavior. A new survival order is created, which makes the situation messy at times, and seemingly out of control. These findings support the notion that trust has an individual property and is also a social system.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verskillende dissiplines en akedemici in die interdissiplinêre veld van Missologie en wetenskap van Godsdienste is besig om die konsep van gemeenskaplike sosiale vertroue te ondersoek. Hierdie studie voorsien ondersoekende en beskrywende navorsing van 1,516 individuele Christene en Moslems in Nigerië met ‘n fokus op die deelname in godsdiens as ‘n middel om gemeenskaplike sosiale vertroue te kweek onder die “godsdienstige ander”. Statistiese beduidenheid is ‘n indikator van hoe respondente voel hulle moet optree (ideale situasie) en dit is hoekom dit prakties belangrik is om die statistieke te vergelyk met die praktyk. Die data is geinterpreteer vanaf ‘n statistiese en praktiese beduidenheidsperspektief.
Die doelwit van hierdie studie is om die studiemateriaal sy aan sy weer te gee met die data middele wat gebruik is om die studievraag, die hipotese en die studie objektiewe te beantwoord. Die tweede doelwit is om die ooreenkomste en verskille van die navorsing se bevindinge te vergelyk met ander studies. Hierdie studie wat ondersoekend en ook beskrywend is, streef daarna om die vraag na wie, wat, waar, wanneer , hoe en hoekom te beantwoord. ‘n Multidemensionele, nie-geordende voorbeeld van al sewe geo-politieke areas wat in ooreenstemming is met die grotte van die kevolking en stedelike/landelike populasie in Nigerië, was gekies.
Pew Forum het onder haude gevoer met een duisend vyf handerd en sestien volwassenes over as 18 ‘jaar oor ‘Godsdiens en die publieke lewe’ met die gebruik van Engels, Hausa, Yoruba and Pidgin tale. Hierdie proefneming was gevind as die algemene siening in Nigerië onder volwasenes.
Die bevindinge het aangedui dat daar ‘n groot hoeveelheid onsekerheid en spanning onder die Christene en die Moslems in die Nigeriese konteks is, omdat hulle nie mekaar vertrou nie. Hierdie tipe spanning lei tot geweld en konstante konflik, wat oorloop tot die situasies wat onlangs deur die media gedokumenteer is. Die Moslems en Christene in Nigerië het ‘n lang geskiedenis van misverstande en deur hierdie gesamentlike leerproses het hulle ‘n punt bereik waar die groei en veranderende patrone van hulle vertroue hul eie manier van die situasie hantees, aandui. Vertroue in hierdie situasie oefen die rol van “ooreengekome realiteit” uit, wat die gedrag van die groep reflekteer. ‘n Nuwe oorlewings meganisme is geskep wat die situasie by tye chaoties laat lyk. Hierdie bevindinge bied ondersteuning dat vertroue ‘n individuele aspek bevat en ‘n sosiale systeem is.
27
Chewachong, Amos Bongadu. "Intra-African Pentecostalism and the dynamics of power : the Living Faith Church worldwide (Winners' Chapel) in Cameroon, 1996-2016." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/23499.
Full textAbstract:
The embeddedness of Pentecostal/Charismatic tenets within contemporary global frameworks of transnational power reveals the ability of religion to shape the sociocultural and spiritual experiences of people on the move from one place to another. For this reason, sociologists of religion and scholars of World Christianity have noted the rapid missionary expansion of African Pentecostal/Charismatic movements to the northern hemisphere. Some have even referred to the missionary work of non-western forms of Christianity in the western world as the ‘Southernisation of European Christianity’. But if the aggressive strategies adopted by African Pentecostal/Charismatic churches in the western diaspora are intended to reawaken Christianity in Europe, what then is the motivation for intra-African Pentecostal/Charismatic movements in traversing national boundaries, with their distinctive version of the Christian faith, making Africa a theatre in which Christian missionaries are both sent and received? This thesis examines the intra-African missionary praxis of a highly influential Nigerian Pentecostal/Charismatic church, the Winners’ Chapel, and its accompanying power dynamics in Cameroon from 1996 to 2016. Using a qualitative research approach, the study examines the character of transnational Pentecostal/Charismatic movements in Africa, using Winners’ Chapel in Cameroon as a case study. After an investigation of the emergence of the church, the study examines the various strategies used to achieve and maintain control of the mother church in Nigeria over its daughter church in Cameroon, such as the deployment of Nigerian missionaries, the use of Nigerian-defined Winners’ Chapel tenets in Cameroon, the place of sermons and testimonies, and the role of the media. The thesis studies the conflicts of loyalty and contestations that emerge between Nigerian Winners’ Chapel missionaries to Cameroon and their Cameroonian colleagues in Cameroon. It concludes with an assessment of how far Winners’ Chapel can be said to contribute to the provision of social capital and empowerment in Cameroon. The findings in this study provide a significant and original contribution to the understanding of how power dynamics can operate within complex relationships between transnational Pentecostal/Charismatic actors (missionaries), and their receiving countries colleagues in the continent of Africa. It also contributes to the literature on African Pentecostalism but offers fresh insights into the encounters, contestations, and resistance that emerge between ‘founder-owners’ and recruited workers of intra-African Pentecostal/Charismatic Movements. By appropriating international relations concepts such as Joseph Nye’s ideas of ‘soft power’ and concepts in the sociology of religion such as Peggy Levitt’s ‘remittances’, popularised by Afe Adogame, the study potentially unveils the nexus between international relations, the sociology of religion and development within Pentecostalist transnational discourses in Africa.
28
Yombe, Giscard Vivien. "Le Christianisme dans l'oeuvre de Chinua Achebe." Thesis, Cergy-Pontoise, 2017. http://www.theses.fr/2017CERG0844.
Full textAbstract:
Cette thèse s'ajoute aux rares études consacrées à la dimension religieuse et spirituelle dans les écrits de Chinua Achebe (1930-2013). Etudier le christianisme dans l'oeuvre d'Achebe, c'est prendre part, en compagnie de l'auteur de "Morning Yet on Creation Day", à ce qu'il désignait par 'my ritual return and homage'. Ce rite, loin d'être un retour aveugle aux sources natales et une exaltation du passé, est au contraire une cérémonie pénitentielle et oecuménique qui relie le passé, le présent et l'avenir, et s'ouvre aux valeurs spirituelles africaines et chrétiennes pour relever les défis du monde contemporain. Tel est l'alpha et l'oméga de la vocation littéraire et artistique. Né au Nigeria dans une famille ibo convertie au christianisme anglican pendant l'époque coloniale, baigné dans la révélation chrétienne dès sa tendre enfance, Albert Chinualumogu Achebe de son vrai nom, ne fut pas un homme d'Eglise mais un écrivain de la fidélité et de l'espérance. Chinua Achebe n'a cessé de revendiquer son enracinement africain et en même temps sa foi chrétienne. Dans son oeuvre, les références à la Bible sont légion et, la tradition animiste africaine (héritage précolonial) et la religion chrétienne (héritage colonial) s'opposent, s'interpénètrent et dialoguent.Auteur engagé et à la pensée complexe, Achebe récuse un christianisme dépourvu de sa substance qui fornique avec l'hydre impérialiste. Loin d'être rigide comme un 'ikenga', l'auteur reconnaît et se laisse "visiter" par l'esprit du christianisme qui brise les chaînes du désespoir et des pesanteurs d'ici-bas. La vision du romancier est une vision d'espoir, de libération socio-politique, économique et culturelle qui se moque des certitudes absolues, des fanatismes paralysants et des pensées uniques. L'artiste et l'oeuvre, le sujet et l'objet, à l'instar du pénitent, entreprennent une odyssée thérapeutique afin d'atteindre la plénitude de l'être et de la communion avec le Cosmos<br>To study Christianity in Chinua Achebe's writings is to perform a ritual ceremony. Such a ceremony was known as 'my ritual return and homage' by the author of "Morning Yet on Creation Day". It is not a mere homecoming and recover of the African past, but it is above all an act of atonement which binds past, present and future throughout the ritual of penitence and therapeutic ecumenism. In the writings of the novelist, animistic precolonial heritage and christian colonial one collide and open up in a philosophical and spiritual dialogue. Albert Chinualumogu Achebe was born in an igbo family converted to Anglican Christianity during colonial Africa. Far from being frozen as an 'ikeng', the writer never rejected his chritian heritage. The protest and complex writer simply condemned colonial Christianity brought by the missionaries who came to save children of darkness. He recognizes however the essence of Christianity and the Gospel taught by Jesus that gives Hope and sets free all men and women, Jews and Gentiles.The prophetic vision of the writer is a vision of a political, economic and social liberation. Human values contained in Christian as well as in African beliefs ought to conscientize and transcend the foibles of modernity. Like a penitent, Art and the artist, the objet and the subject undergo a spiritual voyage to reach harmony within the entire universe
29
Onyeador, Victor Nkemdilim. "Health and healing in the Igbo society : basis and challenges for an inculturated pastoral care of the sick /." Frankfurt, M. : Lang, 2007. http://bvbr.bib-bvb.de:8991/F?func=service&doc_library=BVB01&doc_number=016424795&line_number=0001&func_code=DB_RECORDS&service_type=MEDIA.
Full text
30
Nwankwo, Lawrence Nchekwube. "FROM POWER CHRISTIANITY TO CHRISTIANITY THAT EMPOWERS: TOWARDS A THEOLOGY OF EMPOWERMENT IN THE NIGERIAN CONTEXT." Bulletin of Ecumenical Theology, 2004. http://digital.library.duq.edu/u?/bet,2489.
Full text
31
Nnadozie, Edmund. "Catholic Church, Nigerian face toward a Nigerian Christian anthropology /." Chicago, IL : Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.2986/tren.033-0831.
Full text
32
Foreman, Chelsea. "Speaking With Our Spirits : A Character Analysis of Eugene Achike in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus." Thesis, Karlstads universitet, Institutionen för språk, litteratur och interkultur, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-65249.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this essay is to conduct a character analysis on Eugene Achike from Chimamana Ngozi Adichie’s novel Purple Hibiscus, to see whether or not the character is used by Adichie as a portrayal of colonial Nigeria and its values. I have done this by looking at the themes of violence and hypocrisy in relation to Eugene’s language usage, religious attitude, and behaviour towards others, and comparing these aspects of his personality with the attitudes shown by colonialists in colonial Nigeria. The more important issues that prove Eugene’s character is a portrayal of colonial Nigeria are: his utter disregard for his heritage and background, including the physical disregard of his father; his absolute control over his family members, both physically and mentally, which leads to violent outbursts if he is disobeyed; the fact that he is shown in the novel to be a direct product of the missionaries and colonial structure that was present in Nigeria when he grew up. These things, together with the subtle connections in Adichie’s writing that connect her novel to Things Fall Apart, firmly place Purple Hibiscus in the postcolonial category. Thus, I concluded that Eugene’s character is a portrayal of Colonial Nigeria.<br>Syftet med denna upsats är att genomföra en karaktärsanalys på karaktären Eugene Achike i Chimamanda Ngozi Adichis roman Purple Hibiscus, för att se ifall karaktären används av Adichie som en skildring av koloniala Nigeria och dess värderingar. Jag har gjort detta genom att undersöka två teman – våld och hyckleri – i samband med Eugenes användning av språk, religös attityd, och beteende mot andra, för att då jämföra dessa aspekter av hans personlighet med attityderna kolonisatörer hade i koloniala Nigeria. De viktigaste sakerna som bevisar att Eugenes karaktär är en skildring av koloniala Nigeria är: hans fullständiga ignoreing av sin bakgrund, inklusive den fysiska ignorering av hans pappa; hans absoluta kontroll över sin familj, både fysiskt och mentalt, vilket leder till våldsamma utbrott om han inte blir åtlydd; det faktum att han beskrivs som en produkt av missionärerna och koloniala samhället vid flera tillfällen i boken. Detta tillsammans med romanens subtila kopplingar till Achebes Things Fall Apart, placerar tveklöst Purple Hibiscus i den postkoloniala kategorin. Därmed drar jag slutsatsen att Eugene’s karaktär är en skildring av koloniala Nigeria.
33
Ezigbo, Victor I. "Contextualizing the Christ-event : a Christological study of the interpretations and appropriations of Jesus Christ in Nigerian Christianity." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/2586.
Full textAbstract:
In Nigerian Christianity, many theologians and Christians who do not have any formal theological training perceive Jesus Christ primarily as a solution to the problems that confront humanity. As a solution, they expect Jesus Christ to inspire some theological discourses that will deconstruct and overthrow Western theological hegemony, to rekindle the quest to preserve some indigenous traditions, to liberate the oppressed, poor and powerless, to expose the oppressors and all evildoers, to liberate and protect people from the attacks of the malevolent spirits, and to save people from being eternally separated from God. But what these solution-oriented Christologies have overlooked is that the Christ-Event is a paradox for it creates simultaneously a problem and a solution for the Christian community which confesses that God has revealed God’s self in this event. The contextual Christology that I develop in this study probes the theological, christological and anthropological consequences of this claim for interpreting and appropriating Jesus Christ in the Nigerian contexts. To achieve this task, I will converse with and critique some selected ‘constructive Christologies’ of some key theologians and some ‘grassroots Christologies’ that have been informed by social conditions, indigenous worldview, encounter with some versions of Christianity propagated by the West, and some existential issues that confront many Christians. However we choose to interpret and appropriate Jesus the Christ in our contexts, he remains simultaneously a question and an answer to the theological, cultural, religious, anthropological, political and socio-economic issues that challenge us. Viewed from this perspective, I will argue that the Christ-Event upsets, unsettles, critiques, and reshapes the solution-oriented Christologies of Nigerian Christianity. I will explore this claim within the circumference of the overarching thesis of this study; namely, as both a question and an answer, Jesus Christ confronts us as a ‘revealer’ of divinity and humanity. Thus, he mediates and interprets divinity and humanity for the purpose of enacting and sustaining a relationship between God and human beings.
34
Lee, Jae Chan. "A biblio-theological and historical study of conversion, with special reference to its missiological significance in the Nigerian context." Thesis, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.683049.
Full text
35
Asonibare, Stephen. "Using extended family dynamics to grow the Nigerian church." Online full text .pdf document, available to Fuller patrons only, 2000. http://www.tren.com.
Full text
36
Onwunta, Ijeoma Esther. "Gender stereotyping in church and community : a Nigerian feminine perspective." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1254.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (DTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.<br>In the Nigerian church and society negative gender stereotyping is pronounced in every aspect of human activities. The basic premise of this study therefore is that the Nigerian church and society need to deal with these negative gender stereotypes which breed gender insensitivity and
injustice. Those cultural, political and economic structures, those proverbs and myths that have
hitherto hindered women from attaining their full potential have to give way to a new mind-set
and a change in attitude in both men and women in order to bring the much needed transformation and gender partnership in Nigeria. The study in surveying the landscape highlights some important issues that women have to struggle with. Among other things, the low female literacy rate is one of the greatest hindrances women have today. This is due to the institutionalised structures and culturally created lenses that make some people still perceive men as more superior than women and therefore regard the education of women as a waste of resources. Although men are always perceived to be the better and more superior specie, this study does not advocate for gender bending. What is important is people being who God has made them to be and working with others as partners for a better human society. Women’s involvement in development is based on the theological premise that true development must have a holistic approach which more than building infrastructures, deals with the development of humans. A holistic approach to development implies a transformational development that is different from the status quo which is overshadowed by men’s voices and experiences. Women’s voices, experiences and potentials have to play a major role in this approach. The need to listen to women was further stressed by Powers (2003: viii) when he said: Unless we listen, any action we may take in this area, no matter how well intentioned, is likely to bypass the real concerns of women and to confirm female condescension and reinforce male dominance. Listening, in a spirit of partnership and equality, is the most practical response we can make and is the foundation for our mutual partnership to reform unjust structures.
37
Odewole, Israel Oluwagbemiga Omoniyi. "Missional character of music in worship : a study of select churches in the metropolitan city of Abeokuta, Nigeria." Thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/22012.
Full textAbstract:
In this thesis, the researcher engages in emerging work in music in worship to deepen contemporary conversations about musical styles in worship. This thesis critically examines the missional character of music in worship in seven selected evangelical churches in the metropolitan city of Abeokuta, Nigeria in order to propose a sustainable model for promoting God’s missions. . The selected churches are The Assemblies of God Church, Four Square Church, The Baptist Church, The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Apostolic Faith, and The Gospel Faith Mission International. The thesis has investigated how missional and to what extent these churches have effectively sought to implement the missionary mandate in the area of music in worship.
The following specific objectives underpin the study: to establish the Biblical perspective of the missional character of music in worship in the life of the church, to study and outline the Theological perspective of the missional character of music in worship in the life of the church, to study the origin/history of music in the missional context, and outline the nature and emerging trends with regard to missional character of music in worship in the selected churches in Abeokuta, Nigeria, and to propose a sustainable model that can be adopted by churches to promote the missional character of music in worship effectively in Abeokuta, Nigeria. The following methods were used to achieve the objectives of the study: an exegetical study of relevant passages in the Scripture were engaged, relevant literature review on the Theological perspective of the missional character of music in worship in the life of the church were outlined, one-on-one interviews were carried out and self-administered interview questionnaires were served on the major leaders, worship leaders/choir members and key lay members of those selected churches in order to explore the origin/history of music in the missional context, its impact for good on the believers and non- believers, as well as the role, qualities and influence of the missional character of Music in Worship
in seven different denominations and all the information gathered from questionnaires served was evaluated and logical conclusions drawn as appropriate to formulate a sustainable model that can be adopted by churches to promote the missional character of music in worship effectively in the city of Abeokuta, Nigeria, in the final instance.
In closing, recommendations and conclusions are made to reassess and reconsider their missionary approaches, with a view to enhancing their ways of engaging music in their worship as the thesis goal explores the implications this work might have for Church leaders, pastors, worship leaders, musicians, liturgists and missionaries in their work of preparing music for worship across Christian denominations.<br>Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology<br>D. Th. (Missiology)
38
Alokwu, Cyprian Obiora. "The Anglican church, environment and poverty : constructing a Nigerian indigenous oikotheology." Thesis, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/424.
Full textAbstract:
This research proposes a Nigerian indigenous oikotheology to assist the Church of Nigeria
(Anglican Communion) better meet the challenges of the “double earth crisis” of poverty and
environmental degradation. The thesis begins by arguing that the crisis of poverty and the
crisis of ecology are inextricably linked. It does this by examining the situation globally, in
Africa and in Nigeria. It argues that for the church to be able to articulate the needed
theological paradigm in response to the “double earth crisis”, it is important that it is
adequately informed and equipped with environmental knowledge as well as the dynamics of
the global capitalist system and its hegemonic influences. This understanding is imperative
because these affect the environment and poverty nexus.
The thesis then examines the response of the Anglican Church to the environment and
poverty by situating this within the wider biblical, Christian and ecumenical history, and the
history of the Anglican Church itself. It then looks at the Anglican Church in Nigeria by
investigating the engagement of the three Anglican Dioceses in Anambra State (Nigeria) in
environment and poverty issues. It also investigates the understanding of the diocesan clergy
on these issues.
Findings from the research field work indicate that a majority of the clergy exhibited an
appreciable level of environmental awareness contrary to the hypothesis of the study.
However, this knowledge is a “paper knowledge” because of its heavy reliance on the
‘traditional’ view of understanding of the environment. Thus it creates a huge gap between
theoretical knowledge and practical commitment on the part of the dioceses. Collective will
and practical commitment which are vital for the church’s engagement in poverty and
environment issues are therefore lacking, and this leads to the church’s difficulty in
significantly living up to its environmental responsibility in practical ways.
In responding to the identified gap, the thesis examines ‘four generations’ of ecological
motifs in theology, namely, dominion, stewardship, eco-theology and oikotheology.
Oikotheology is an attempt to strengthen the weaknesses in the Christian ecological thoughts
(from dominion to ecotheology) and hence provide an eco-theological framework that will
engender commitment and action. However, because of the challenges with which
Oikotheology grapples (strong eschatological influences and inaccessibility to African
culture), it could not achieve this aim in the Nigerian setting. In a continued search for an
eco-theological framework that is more African, the study articulates the synthesis of
Oikotheology and African indigenous ecological ethics (a fifth generation) as a theological
framework which would uniquely appeal to African Christianity in its attempt to collaborate
with other disciplines in addressing the challenges of the environment and poverty in Africa
and the world.
Key to this synthesis is an examination of Nigerian Igbo proverbs-the egbe belu
precautionary principle and onye aghana nwa nne ya in particular, and the African
cosmology in general. This synthesis, considered in our opinion as Africa’s gift to humanity
and Christendom, will no doubt significantly contribute to the global discussion on the
current double earth crisis of environment and poverty.
The thesis concludes with a series of practical suggestions including among others the
formation of a National Commission on the environment by the Church of Nigeria (Anglican
Communion) as a way of fostering environmental education.<br>Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.
39
Shaba, Abimbola Adamson. "Giving an account of Christian hope : a missiological reflection on Christian Muslim encounter in Kano city, Northern Nigeria : a muslim background believer's perspective." Thesis, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/5093.
Full textAbstract:
This study is an endeavour to construct a theological (Missiological) reflection on what Christian witnessing could look like in Kano among non-Christians (predominantly Hausa/Fulani Muslims), if interpreted and expressed from the viewpoint of the hope Christians have in Christ. This heads towards a proposal for new Christian praxis, developed in dialogue with and as a response to the role of the life-transforming message of justification in Christ, as it relates to Christian living. This is based on historical fact that attracts non-Christians to the hope in God’s future activity through His saving grace in the unique Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 1: 22), that is, seeking to be like Christ (1Jn 3: 2-3).
This leads to the guiding issue on how Christians should explore hope as a fundamental key to become living witnesses to non-Christians, Muslim in particular, in Kano city, Northern Nigeria and elsewhere in the world based on the biblical interpretation of 1 Peter 3: 15-17. It equally means in a hostile environment walking by faith rather than by sight, through suffering rather than by triumph, to bringing about the future Kingdom of God, characterized by peace, justice and love into the community now, and ultimately in the one to come.
This in turn makes this study relevant both internally – for the renewal of the church to discover and live out its Christian identity – and externally, in the church’s witness to its Muslim neighbours in the midst of religious intolerance that leads to bloodshed and the destruction of property. Therefore, the two dimensions, the internal and external, of the church’s life, since a congregation’s sense of identity is at the same time its sense of mission in society. A renewal in the church’s sense of identity brings about a renewal in its sense of mission, and vice versa.<br>Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology<br>D. Th. (Missiology)
40
Maduka, Johnson Obiora. "Strategies for local Anglican churches to alleviate rural poverty in Igboland, Nigeria." Thesis, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/3431.
Full textAbstract:
This research project concerns the role that local Anglican Churches can play in alleviating poverty in rural Nigeria. After a brief overview of the political, economic and social background of Nigeria, the first chapter considers the causes and impact of rural poverty in Nigeria. The paper then defends a theological vision for rural development, identifying four key elements, namely stewardship, empowerment, self-reliance and
the mobilization of local assets. In the final chapter, the paper argues that a combination of agriculture and micro-enterprise, in the form of small agricultural business, provides the most practical contribution the Church can make. A number of such business opportunities such as garri processing and livestock farming are considered.<br>Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.
41
Ori, Konye Obaji. "Conceptualizing Boko Haram : victimage ritual and the construction of Islamic fundamentalism." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1805/4079.
Full textAbstract:
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)<br>In this study, rhetorical analysis through the framework of victimage ritual is employed to analyze four Boko Haram messages on You Tube, five e-mail messages sent to journalists from leaders of Boko Haram, and a BlogSpot web page devoted to Boko Haram. The aim of this analysis is to understand the persuasive devices by which Boko Haram leaders create, express, and sustain their jurisprudence on acts of violence. The
goal of this study is to understand how leaders of Boko Haram construct and express the group’s values, sway belief, and justify violence.
The findings show that Boko Haram desire to redeem non-Muslims from perdition, liberate Muslims from persecution, protect Islam from criticism, and revenge
perceived acts of injustices against Muslims. The group has embarked on this aim by allotting blame, vilifying the enemy-Other, pressing for a holy war, encouraging martyrdom, and alluding to an apocalypse. Boko Haram’s audience is made to believe that Allah has assigned Boko Haram the task to liberate and restore an Islamic haven in Nigeria. Therefore, opposition from the Nigerian government or Western forces is constructed as actions of evil, thus killing members of the opposition becomes a celestial
and noble cause. This juxtaposition serves to encourage the violent Jihad which leaders of Boko Haram claims Allah assigned them to lead in the first place. As a result of this cyclical communication, media houses, along the Nigerian government, Christians and
Western ideals become the symbolic evil, against which Muslims, sympathizers and
would-be-recruits must unite. By locking Islam against the Nigerian government,
Western ideals and Christianity in a characteristically hostile manner, Boko Haram precludes any real solution other than an orchestrated Jihad-crusade-or-cleanse model in which a possible coexistence of Muslims and the enemy-Other are denied, and the threat
posed by the enemy-Other is eliminated through conversion or destruction. As a result, this study proposes that Boko Haram Internet messages Boko Haram’s mission reveals a movement of separatism, conservatism, and fascism. A movement based on the claim that its activism will establish a state in accordance with the dictates of Allah.
42
Chinemelu, Benjamin Chinedu Chukwukelu. "The HIV/AIDS policy of the Anglican Church of Nigeria : a critical analysis." Thesis, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/1861.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis seeks to outline the HIV epidemic in Nigeria and understand the response of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) to the epidemic. In evaluating the Church of Nigeria's policy document, it also seeks to understand how the response needs to be strengthened. The thesis looks at the history of HIV and AIDS in Nigeria and the impact of the epidemic on the Nigerian society. It further identifies some of the factors that contribute to the spread of HIV in Nigeria and the government's response to the epidemic. For the Church to respond appropriately to the epidemic there is a great need to start by theologizing the epidemic in a more helpful way. It is based on this that this thesis further attempts to theologize the epidemic by discussing sexuality, the notion of imago dei and shalom as well-being. The thesis examines the six thematic areas of the policy document and presents a critical analysis in which it discovers that though there are good things in the policy document, it however, needed a more solid theological foundation and employment of an educative tool that is more inclusive. Central to the argument of the thesis is that no one factor drives the epidemic, but rather a complex interaction between several factors. Therefore, to strengthen the policy document the thesis suggests a number of things to do which include a more solid theological foundation and employing of the 'SAVE' approach as an educative tool in response to the epidemic.<br>Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.
43
Ezekiel, Lesmor Gibson. "A conceptual exploration of the missional journey of Tarayyar Ekklisiyoyyin Kristi A Nigeria (TEKAN) as an ecumenical instrument for justice and peace in the community of Jos." Thesis, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/8695.
Full textAbstract:
The research work has engaged in a critical missional reflection on the effectiveness of Tarayyar Ekklesiyoyin Kristi A Nigeria (TEKAN) as an ecumenical instrument for justice and peace in Jos, a central area in Northern Nigeria that has been bedevilled with violent conflicts commonly associated with religio-cultural and socio-political factors. The scope of this study is limited to a conceptual exploration of the issues. In the critique of TEKAN, an inherent contradiction is identified within its identity, vocation and witness. The theoretical framework that guided this study embraced an interdisciplinary approach on issues about God’s mission (Missio Dei) through the Church (Missio Ecclesia) that propels Ecumenical engagement (Oikoumene) and leads to the quest of Justice and Peace (Dikaiosune & Shalom) for all humanity.
The ecumenical witness of TEKAN within the environment of Jos calls into question its effectives as a tool of transformation in a multi-political and religious environment plagued by violence. The data gathered by various commissions of inquiry into the crises of Jos seems to suggest that a study approach to problems of justice and peace will not resolve the deeply entrenched problems. Therefore, the ultimate test of whether TEKAN will develop into an effective missional and ecumenical instrument for justice and peace in Jos will be dependent on taking radical steps that embrace a genuine mission audit of its identity, vocation and witness that will empower the organization to meet the deep challenges of the people of Jos and their quest for authentic human development built on justice and peace.<br>Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.
44
Eze, Chika Eucharia. "Identity construction of Roman Catholic religious sisters in the church in Nigeria." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/9171.
Full textAbstract:
This study was designed against the background of the vital need for a comprehensive research on religious sisters in Africa and Nigeria in particular to address the problems and challenges of identity construction by them within the context of religious community life. It is an interpretative qualitative research study which used an interdisciplinary theoretical approach, drawing on theology of religious life and dialogical self theory to argue that the sisters‘ performance of identity is a context-bound activity. Interview data was drawn from 18 participants from two religious congregations (Daughters of Divine Love and Society of the Holy Child Jesus) in Nigeria in order to understand the meaning sisters give to their intersubjective exchange and the impact it makes on their development and performance of personal/religious identity. The results showed that the sisters used a multiplicity of I-positions to construct identity. This multiplicity of I-positions arises from self-positioning and self as positioned by others (including superiors/formators, senior/older sisters, priests) which are laden with conflicts and dilemmas of identity construction. The major dilemma of identity construction that the participants encountered is based on the discrepancy between the ideal and the lived reality of religious life. The participants presented the ideal as a call to do God‘s will in direct imitation of Christ, but the lived reality offers a mixed experience. On the one hand the participants indicated that relationships within the religious community, Church and wider Nigerian society are supportive, facilitating their development and performance of Christ-like identity. But on the other hand the findings reveal that the participants‘ performance of identity has been hindered by power relations and dominance (including gender related issues) which are prevalent in religious communities, the Church and wider Nigerian society, leading the participants to present their performance of identity as a struggle for survival. Thus their construction of identity is a constant negotiation process, in which they are engaged in appropriation and rejection of positions as they struggle to construct unity-in-multiplicity. To this effect the study recommends that leaders of religious life review their leadership style in order to adopt a more inclusive approach which gives every sister the opportunity to speak and be heard, thus create a more conducive environment for sisters‘ identity construction.<br>Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.
45
Ovbiebo, David. "The role of Christian churches in community development : a case study of Ovia South-West Nigeria." Diss., 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/12080.
Full textAbstract:
The role of Christian churches in community development cannot be over-emphasised. In the past, Christian churches have played vital roles in community development, both in rural and urban areas. It is in light of this that the researcher views the current situation in Ovia South-West and seeks to determine whether or not this also applies to Ovia South-West. This study is an exploration of the role of Christian churches in community development, with particular reference to the Ovia South-West region of Nigeria.<br>Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology<br>M. Th. (Missiology)
46
Dada, Isaiah Ekundayo. "Interreligious Curriculum for Peace Education in Nigeria : A Praxeological Intervention for the Advanced Training of Religious Leaders." Thèse, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/1866/18460.
Full textAbstract:
Depuis la fin de la guerre froide, on note que le rôle de la religion s’est grandement accru dans l'élaboration des visions du monde et dans la fragmentation globale, en partie en étant impliquée dans certains violents conflits. Cette situation se reflète en particulier dans la politique ethno-religieuse du Nigéria. La passation du pouvoir des militaires aux civils en 1999 a été accompagnée de violents conflits entre chrétiens et musulmans. Ces conflits constituent l'une des crises les plus graves auxquelles le Nigéria est aujourd’hui confronté. Au cours des dernières années, les émeutes interreligieuses sont devenues des événements de routine au Nigéria. Face à cette situation, quelles contributions les milieux éducatifs nigérians ont ils apportées? Même si depuis le début des années 1980s le domaine de l’éducation à la paix a vu naitre un nouveau mouvement de réforme visant à directement analyser les problèmes de la violence, ce mouvement de réforme n’a guère touché le milieu de l’éducation supérieure au Nigéria, que ce soit dans ses institutions religieuses ou non-religieuses. Elle laisse les élites éduqués avec peu de formation formelle pour comprendre les causes de cette violence et en particulier les solutions alternatives à y apporter pour contribuer à plus de relations pacifiques au Nigéria.
A partir de la théorie et méthodologie de la praxéologie, la présente thèse entend combler cette double lacune. Elle présente le contexte nigérian et les détails d’un curriculum interreligieux d’éducation à la paix élaborée pour les leaders religieux nigérians. Elle permet de mieux comprendre le rôle que le discours religieux joue dans la banalisation de la majeure partie de la violence actuelle. Elle met l’emphase en particulier sur les besoins de mieux former les leaders religieux grâce à une éventuelle dissémination d’un curriculum d’éducation à la paix interreligieuse adaptée à la réalité multi-religieuse nigériane et, en particulier, à sa longue histoire des conflits interreligieux. Ce curriculum est fondé sur les conceptions religieuses de la paix provenant des traditions yoruba, musulmanes et chrétiennes. Il vise à favoriser des relations interreligieuses qui soient compassionnelles, spirituelles, pacifiques et pleines de succès entre toutes les diverses communautés de croyants au Nigeria. Le curriculum couvrira une période intensive d’un an et, en guise d’exemple, sera appliqué au département de science des religions de l’Université d’Ibadan.
Cette thèse postule que l'élaboration d'un curriculum interreligieux d’éducation à la paix pour les leaders religieux au Nigeria réduira, à long terme, la violence religieuse grandissante au Nigéria, en abordant les tensions entre les populations traditionnelles, musulmanes et chrétiennes et en permettant aux artisans religieux de la paix de créer des îlots interreligieux de paix ainsi que de participer activement dans la découverte de moyens de réduire la violence récurrente.<br>Since the end of the Cold War, we have witnessed the increasing role religion plays in shaping worldviews as well as global fragmentation, part of which through being directly involved in violent conflicts. This situation is no better reflected than in the ethno-religious politics of Nigeria. Since the transition from a military to a civilian regime in 1999, violent conflicts between Christians and Muslims continue to erupt and constitute one of the gravest dangers facing Nigeria. In the last few years, interreligious riots have even become routine events in Nigeria.
What have Nigerians done about this situation, especially in educational circles? Although since the early 1980s the field of Peace Education has developed a new educational reform movement aimed at addressing directly problems of violence, this reform has hardly reached Nigerian higher education (both religious and non-religious institutions of higher learning). It has left the educated elites with little formal educational training to understand the causes of this violence and especially how to provide alternatives for more peaceful relations within Nigeria.
Using a praxeological theory and method, this dissertation addresses this doubly bleak situation by presenting the context for and the details of an interreligious curriculum for peace education for religious leaders in Nigeria. Understanding the role religious discourse plays in fostering much of the current violence, this thesis focuses in particular on the needs to educate better religious leaders through the eventual dissemination of an interreligious curriculum for peace education adapted to the Nigerian multi-religious reality and long history of interreligious conflicts in particular. This one-year curriculum builds upon religious Yoruba, Islamic and Christian conceptions of peace, with the goal of creating a safe, caring, spiritual, peaceful and successful interfaith relationship between all Nigerian religious communities. It is contextualized for use as an example in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Ibadan.
This thesis argues that the development of an interreligious curriculum for peace education for religious leaders in Nigeria will, in the long term, reduce the growing religious violence in Nigeria, by addressing the tensions between Traditional, Christian and Muslim populations and by enabling religious peacemakers to create interreligious islands of peace as well as to actively participate in finding ways to reduce the on-going violence.