ECUMENISM AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIAN SOCIETY

ECUMENISM AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIAN SOCIETY(A CASE STUDY OF LAGOS STATE)

 

 

ABSTRACT

The research looked at the disunity among different Christian groups in Nigeria especially Lagos State.  The role of ecumenism and religious dialogue threw insight to have solved some of the problems, brought to our notice.

The role play by various Christian organizations and denominations are much of concern to every believer in Christ especially in finding solutions to various problems like intolerance, disunity, hatred and self-centered attitude all in the name of differences in doctrine, mode of worship and leadership.

The method employed in gathering of data was questionnaire (structured) two hundred (200) respondents which were based on the three (3) formulated hypotheses were Christians from five denominations in the whole Lagos State.

Questionnaires were used to get information which was based on the three hypotheses stated.  And of course, all the three hypotheses were accepted.  The research concludes with a recommendations that unity can be achieved by the various denominations if only they can respect each other mode of worship, doctrine and also that each denomination must see one another as partner in the promotion of thee gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page                                                                  i

Certification                                                                ii

Dedication                                                                 iii

Acknowledgment                                                                iv-v

Abstract                                                                     vi

Table of content                                                         vii-ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION                           

• Background to the Study
• Objective of the Study
• Significance of the Study
• Research Questions
• Research Hypothesis
• Scope and Delimitation to the Study
• Limitation
• Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

• Introduction
• The Concept of Instructional Materials
• The Rationale Need for Instructional Materials
• Classification of Instructional Materials
• Types and Characteristics of Instructional Materials
• Factors/Criteria for Selection of Instructional Materials
• Issues/Problems Militating Against The Use of Instructional Materials
• Conclusion

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

• Research Design
• Population of Study
• Sample and Sampling
• Instrumentation
• Administration and Research Instrument
• Data Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

• Data Analysis
• Discussion of Findings

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND

  RECOMMENDATIONS

• Summary
• Conclusion
• Recommendations

References

Appendix

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

 

INTRODUCTION

 

1.1    Background of the Study

World Council of Churches (2007) wrote that over the centuries, Christianity has been divided into numerous denominations.  Each denomination has it’s own distinctive beliefs and practices, but they are commonly considered branches at the same religion because they agree on such fundamentals as the Bible, the trinity and the teachings of the Nicene creed.  The way in which members regard other denominations varies from mutual respect and acceptance to suspicion and denial that the other group is rally “Christian”.  The three main branches of Christianity are Catholic, Orthodox and main line protestant (some would add Anglican as fourth).

Most of the denominations that exist today developed in the 500 years since the protestant Reformation and fall under the “protestant” branch.

Fairchild (2007) asserted that for the first thousand years of Christian history, there were no denomination within the Christian Church as they are today as various offshoot groups certainly existed, but they were considered heresies and not part of the Christian Church.  Most were small and were never influential until the 16^th century. From the beginning of Christianity through the middle ages, there was only one Catholic Church (universal).  Basically, if you did not belong to the Church, you were not considered a Christian.  The first division within Christendom came in 1054 with the “Great Schism” between the Western Church and the Eastern Church.  From that point forward there were two large branches of Christianity which came to be known as the Catholic Church (in the West) and the Orthodox Church (in the East).

The next major division occurred in the 16^th century with the protestant Reformation. The reformation was famously sparked when martin Luther pasted his 95 these in 1517, but “Protestantism” as a movement officially began in 1529, that year marked the publication of the Protestantism directed at the imperil government.  The author, German princess who wanted the freedom to choose the faith of their territory, protested that “in matters which concern Gods honor and salvation and the external life of our souls, everyone must stand and give account before God for himself.  With its emphasis on individual interpretation of the scriptures and a measure of religious freedom, the reformation marked not only a break between Protestantism and Catholicism, but the beginning of denominationalism as we know it today.  The issue of religious authority continues to be a fundamental difference in perceptive between Catholic and Orthodox Christianity. On one hand is the protestant Christians and on the other is the Catholics.  As the reformation developed in Germany, various groups in other parts of Europe also began to break away from the Catholic Church.  Reformed Christianity developed in Switzerland based on the teaching of Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin when it spread to Scotland under John Knox the reformed faith became Presbyterianism, Switzerland was also the birthplace of the Anabaptist, Spiritual ancestral of today’s Anish, Mennonites, Quakers and Baptists. Anglicanism was established in 1534 when England king Henry VIII broke from the authority of the pope and became Episcopalians in America. Methodism based on the teaching of John Westy also has its root in Anglicanism.

The Roman Catholic Church is the largest denomination with over 1.1 billion members comprising over half of all Christians world wide making it the largest denomination for any religion worldwide.  Protestant denomination comprises roughly 38 – 39% of Christian worldwide and together the Catholic, protestant, Anglicans and other closely related denomination comprises Western Christianity. Eastern Orthodoxy, largely Greek and Russian, oriented orthodoxy, Saint Thomas Churches (India) and the Assyrian Church of the East are considered Eastern Christianity. Western Christian denomination provide in Europe and its former Colonies.

Eastern Christian denominations are represented mostly in Eastern Europe (including all of Russian) and the Near East Christians have various doctrines about the Church, the body of faithful that they belief was established by Jesus Christ and how divine Church corresponds to Christian denominations.  Both the Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox considers themselves to faithfully represent the one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. (wwwreligioustolerance.org.). Ontario U.S.A

From the foregoing while pedia Encyclopedia (2008) commented that several Christian denominations exist in Nigeria today.  The advent of the missionaries to Nigeria was predominantly found in the South-East and South-South and middle belt region.  An increasing member of missions’ stations and mission bookstores along with Churches serving Southern enclaves and Northern Christian in the Northern cities and large towns are found in the Muslim North.  Christianity in Yoruba area traditionally has been protestant and Anglican, whereas Igbo land has always been the area of the greatest activity by the Roman Catholic Church other denominations embarked as well.  Presbyterian arrived in the late 17^th century in the Ibibo, Annang and Efik land and the Niger Delta area and had missions in the middle belt as well.  Each denomination set up rural networks by providing schooling and health facilities. Mostly such facilities remand in 1970s, although in many cases schools had been taken over by the Local State Government in order to standardize currievla and maximized the teaching staff.

Pentecostal arrived mostly as indigenous workers in the post independence period. In 1990s Pentecostalism was spreading rapidly throughout the middle belt having success in Roman Catholic and protestant towns of the South as well.  There were also break-away or Anglican Churches that blended traditional Christian symbols with indigenous symbols.  Among these was the Aladura movement like the Christ Apostolic Church that was spreading rapidly throughout Yoruba land while such independent movement started as early as 1920s. They were for most part actually and doctrinally identical to the parent Church, although more African Music and later dance entered and mixed with the imported Church services.

Also, a number often used biblical reference to support polygamy with political independence of African priest in both Roman Catholic and protestant missionaries.  By the 1980s, however, African Music and even dancing were introduced quietly into the Church Services, albeit altered to fit into rituals of European origin.  The Aladura like severed others breakaway Churches stress healing and fulfillment of life goals for oneself and his family.  Africans believe that sorcery and witchcraft are male violent forces against which protection are required.  Rituals are worm and emotional stressing personal movement and acceptance of spirit possession.

It is against this background that the researcher intends to work on Ecumenism and religious dialogue in Nigeria particularly in Lagos State.  The Christianity writers among various Churches in the Christendom primarily depict the oneness of Christ.  The causes of disunity among various Christian denominations rising from doctrinal issues, leadership tussles etc.

1.2    Statement of the Problem

Nigeria has been variously described as a land of religious plurality.  The religious situation is just the same like in most African Countries where every Christian denominations are seen from extreme orthodox to the protestant fringe.  All these Churches are engaged in deadly struggles and competition for influence, spiritual and temporal against one another (Nkem Huginus 2001).  He further asserted that it is most confusing in the singlet of the on lookers when people who proclaim the same Christ engage themselves in condemning one another openly in their bid to excel in fame and admiration as the Christian seers often do to the mainline Churches during their religious open rallies in such occasions that are frequent at weekends and at corners of streets and field of plays, their religious pomposities became quite alarming, critical and eventually repulsive.  They have little or no concern for Church unity but the attitude favour more or less division, fragmentation, disparity, dispute disagreement, disharmony of doctrine, norms, liturgy, authority as well as ministries.

In the light of the above, the situation in Nigerian Christianity calls for concern. Many breakaway especially among charismatic Churches is as a result of authority and leadership tussles.

Therefore, why the disunity and unsteady of been in one accord with one another for pursuance of the Gospel salvation of mankind.

1.3    Research Questions

Answers were sought to the following research questions raised in this study.

1. How does disunity help to integrate the Christian Church?
2. How will doctrinal differences help to disunite the purpose of the Christian Church?
3. Would the diversity in the Church help to promote true worship and unity of the Church?

1.4    Research Hypothesis

In this research work, the researcher tends to test the following hypothesis:

1. Disunity among the Christian Churches will not significantly integrate the Church.
2. There is no significant different between doctrine and the disunity of purpose in the Church.
3. Diversity in the Church will not significantly promote true worship and unity in the Church.

1.5    Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study is to find out the immediate and remote causes of disunity, discord in the today of Christ which ought not to have occurred in the first place.

To critically examine the implication of the causes of disunity in Christendom and the avenue available to reduce or remove this disunity through religious dialogue.

To proffer plausible measures and strategies that will help promote better relationship among Christians irrespective of their denomination affiliation so as to achieve the single goal of soul winning.

1.6    Significance of the Study

The gains of this research work are numerous particularly to every one who called him/her self a Christian.

It will help to expose the danger inherent in the disunity among Christians rather than focus on what will promote the cause and purpose of the Church in the area of soul winning.

Secondly, all Christian leaders should begin to see themselves as one and need to purse the course of salvation which has been delivered unto them by Christ himself.

Thirdly, every Christian must see to peaceful co-existence through religious dialogue as one in Christ.

1.7    Scope and Limitation of the Study

The research carried out in Lagos State especially among every Christian denomination which are categorized into three orthodox, mainline and indigenous churches.

The study was limited by shortage of time funds because of these, the researcher find it difficult to expand the scope of the study beyond ecumenism and religious dialogue.

1.8    Definition of Terms

Denomination: A religious group that has slightly different beliefs from other groups within the same religion.

Reformation:   When something is completely changed in order to improve it.

Ecumenism:     Supporting the idea of unity the different branches of the Christian religion.

Dialogue: Discussion between two groups of countries etc.

Doctrine: A set of beliefs that form an important part of religious system/ideas.

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