A Brief Survey of the Patterns of Picking and Mixing (Syncretism) in Nigerian Christianity

A Brief Survey of the Patterns of Picking and Mixing (Syncretism) in Nigerian Christianity PDF

Author: Nkem Emeghara Udum Adah

Publisher: Xlibris Corporation

Published: 2016-02-23

Total Pages: 150

ISBN-13: 151446506X

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The study presents to every searching mind a brief history of the coming of Christianity to Nigeria that began in the 1840s, and goes on to examine brief attempts at making the faith attractive and acceptable to the people. This practice of making the faith acceptable to the people came to a head after the First World War, following the failure of the white mans medicine to provide solution to the influenza epidemic that was close to wiping out the population of the southern part of the country. The natives resorted to mixing Christianity with the faith of their forefathers. This accounts for the emergence of the prayer groups known as the Aladura and from then a culture of picking and mixing continued until it became rife and eventually became a major feature of the Christianity in Nigeria. The group included here are representative of the major classification of these groups and practices. Included are the el messiah church, Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (indigenisation), Godianism (political emancipation), Holy Aruosa (political cum religious emancipation), and the New Pentecostals and Charismatic movements of today who are more attracted by power and miracles. The author warns that evangelical Christianity must be protected and that if the trend of picking and mixing is not checked only the heavens know how much deeper the fabric of Christianity would be destroyed.

Education for Interreligious Dialogue

Education for Interreligious Dialogue PDF

Author: Patrick Chinedu Mbarah

Publisher: Xlibris Corporation

Published: 2020-09-29

Total Pages: 345

ISBN-13: 1664125728

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This publication representing substantively the doctoral dissertation of Rev. Fr. Patrick Chinedu Mbarah examines the implication of education for interreligious dialogue. He believes that education has a paramount role to play in advancing interreligious dialogue. Focusing on Archdiocese of Owerri Nigeria, he evaluates the situation at hand in the light of the relationship existing among the different religions; Islam, Christianity, African Traditional Religion and some of the New Religious Movements. He insists that education will help in the promotion and progress of dialogue among the different religion frontiers. The book argues that education for interreligious dialogue is not optional; instead, it is a necessity and an obligation in the Nigerian context. The book highlights the importance of catholic education and how the various channels existing in the archdiocese of Owerri could be used as veritable means of formation of the people to understand the teaching of the Church on interreligious relations with people of other faith traditions. Furthermore, the book presents a concrete proposal of an Interreligious Dialogue Directory for the application of principles and norms for the education of people for a mutual coexistence with followers of other religious traditions in Owerri Archdiocese, Nigeria. It is meant for the education of people at different levels, pastoral agents, catechists, priests, religious and lay faithful. It also addresses schools, especially Secondary and Tertiary institutions.

Our Common Manners and Customs as Hebrew Peoples

Our Common Manners and Customs as Hebrew Peoples PDF

Author: Nkem Emeghara

Publisher: Xlibris Corporation

Published: 2018-05-23

Total Pages: 399

ISBN-13: 154349045X

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Dr. Ola Udah (literal meaning: Judahs offering or Judahs ornament) Equiano (possibly ekwe alu a) was right when he identified his Eboe people as presenting same manners and customs as the Israelites of the old times as illustrated in the book of Leviticus. This study attempts to be an evidence to this assertion. It is a product of a research that began since 1983 and is barely concluded in 2018. The reader would readily realize that the research on this topic has only begun. Changes, modifications, and even eliminations of manners and customs of people through the generations make continuation of this study inevitable. This would be especially expected when examining ancient cultural issues today. Although the study did not strictly begin as another attempt to prove the identity of the Ibos as the Jews enunciated in the Old Testament designation of the children of Jacob, it has however added a relevant credence to that fact. Some of the manners and customs examined include similarities in the use of words and meanings, ritual practices, beliefs, personal attributes, and aspirations that are common to the Eboe (Heeboe, Ibu, Ibo, Igbo) peoples and the ancient Israelites. The book is basically a call for individual and collective reinvention of Eboes (and indeed worldwide Jews) for collective survival in a hostile world. The book interprets a true present-day Hebrew as the true worshipper of the I am that I amthe G-d of our fathers who singled out Abraham and Jacob, our common ancestral fathers, and chose them for a mission to the world. The book finally suggests a version of Christianity centered on YeshuaJesus the Christand his message in the New Testament, a version of Christianity that would include relevant aspects of our omenala (law) among other recommendations. This is a book no one should ignore as it should be an eye-opener to the facts relevant to finding the solution to a long-standing identity crisis of the Eboe people.

RELIGIOUS SYNCRETISM IN AFRICAN CHRISTIANITY

RELIGIOUS SYNCRETISM IN AFRICAN CHRISTIANITY PDF

Author: ISAIAH OLUWAJEMIRIYE OLATOYAN

Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

Published: 2024-04-18

Total Pages: 160

ISBN-13:

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Christianity among the African people, whether on the soil of Africa or in diaspora, is perceived and defined differently by different people. For instance, among African traditional religious people and Muslims, Christianity is a foreign religion that must not be allowed to thrive in Africa. To several Africans who profess Jesus, Christianity is good, but it is not adequate and effective enough to handle all human needs. Still, among some Western Christians and missionaries, African Christianity is superficial and lacks total commitment to Christ. Of course, the Africans are a cultural people with profound religious inclinations. Their traditional religion (ATR) has tremendously shaped their worldviews and socioeconomic and political activities. Consequently, when traditional Africans are converted to Christianity, they do not break ties with their traditional religions completely. The examination of relevant biblical texts on syncretism, however, reveals that God condemns the worship of many gods and places a curse on anyone who offers sacrifices to carved images and bows to them in worship. Therefore, this work investigates the root cause of religious syncretism among African people. In the attempt to find answers to why the average African Christian finds it difficult, if not impossible, to abandon his/her traditional religious belief systems completely to embrace Christianity, the author concludes that unless the issues surrounding the African forgotten and secret covenants are exposed and decisively addressed in the light of biblical teaching, syncretism will continue to be a stigma on the fabric of African Christianity. Therefore, to overcome the threats of syncretism in African Christianity, there is a need to establish a sound theological and missiological framework that can address the problems associated with the African worldviews and belief systems. This task must be carried out under the searchlight of Scriptures.

Understanding Modern Nigeria

Understanding Modern Nigeria PDF

Author: Toyin Falola

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2021-06-24

Total Pages: 691

ISBN-13: 1108837972

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An introduction to the politics and society of post-colonial Nigeria, highlighting the key themes of ethnicity, democracy, and development.

Brands of Faith

Brands of Faith PDF

Author: Mara Einstein

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2007-09-14

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 1134130104

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Through a series of fascinating case studies of faith brands, marketing insider Mara Einstein has produced a lively account of the book in the commercialization of religion.

A History of Christian Missions

A History of Christian Missions PDF

Author: Stephen Neill

Publisher: National Geographic Books

Published: 1991-05-17

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 0140137637

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A History of Christian Missions traces the expansion of Christianity from its origins in the Middle East to Rome, the rest of Europe and the colonial world, and assesses its position as a major religious force worldwide. Many of the world’s religions have not actively sought converts, largely because they have been too regional in character. Buddhism, Islam and Christianity, however, are the three chief exceptions to this, and Christianity in particular has found a home in almost every country in the world. Professor Stephen Neill’s comprehensive and authoritative survey examines centuries of missionary activity, beginning with Christ and working through the Crusades and the colonization of Asia and Africa up to the present day, concluding with a shrewd look ahead to what the future may hold for the Christian Church.

African Religions & Philosophy

African Religions & Philosophy PDF

Author: John S. Mbiti

Publisher: Heinemann

Published: 1990

Total Pages: 312

ISBN-13: 9780435895914

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"African Religions and Philosophy" is a systematic study of the attitudes of mind and belief that have evolved in the many societies of Africa. In this second edition, Dr Mbiti has updated his material to include the involvement of women in religion, and the potential unity to be found in what was once thought to be a mass of quite separate religions. Mbiti adds a new dimension to the understanding of the history, thinking, and life throughout the African continent. Religion is approached from an African point of view but is as accessible to readers who belong to non-African societies as it is to those who have grown up in African nations. Since its first publication, this book has become acknowledged as the standard work in the field of study, and it is essential reading for anyone concerned with African religion, history, philosophy, anthropology or general African studies.

Religion and the Making of Nigeria

Religion and the Making of Nigeria PDF

Author: Olufemi Vaughan

Publisher: Duke University Press

Published: 2016-11-18

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13: 0822373874

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In Religion and the Making of Nigeria, Olufemi Vaughan examines how Christian, Muslim, and indigenous religious structures have provided the essential social and ideological frameworks for the construction of contemporary Nigeria. Using a wealth of archival sources and extensive Africanist scholarship, Vaughan traces Nigeria’s social, religious, and political history from the early nineteenth century to the present. During the nineteenth century, the historic Sokoto Jihad in today’s northern Nigeria and the Christian missionary movement in what is now southwestern Nigeria provided the frameworks for ethno-religious divisions in colonial society. Following Nigeria’s independence from Britain in 1960, Christian-Muslim tensions became manifest in regional and religious conflicts over the expansion of sharia, in fierce competition among political elites for state power, and in the rise of Boko Haram. These tensions are not simply conflicts over religious beliefs, ethnicity, and regionalism; they represent structural imbalances founded on the religious divisions forged under colonial rule.

Introduction to Sociology 2e

Introduction to Sociology 2e PDF

Author: Nathan J. Keirns

Publisher:

Published: 2015-04-24

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781947172906

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"Introduction to Sociology 2e adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical, one-semester introductory sociology course. It offers comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories, which are supported by a wealth of engaging learning materials. The textbook presents detailed section reviews with rich questions, discussions that help students apply their knowledge, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. The second edition retains the book's conceptual organization, aligning to most courses, and has been significantly updated to reflect the latest research and provide examples most relevant to today's students. In order to help instructors transition to the revised version, the 2e changes are described within the preface."--Website of text.