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Living Christianity in a Rapidly Changing Context: Proposals for Saving the Future from Today Biwul, Seth Ahmetmu
Indonesian Journal of Religious Vol. 8 No. 2 (2025): Indonesian Journal of Religious, Vol.8, No.2 (October 2025)
Publisher : LPPM - Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Indonesia Jakarta

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.46362/ijr.v8i2.60

Abstract

Studies have continually revealed that the strength and center of world Christianity is moving from the North to the Global South. This shift presupposes that the Church in the Global South is the future for world Christianity. As such, with Nigeria situated in the Global South as the most populous country in Africa, a consideration of the socio-religious trends impacting Christianity, although negatively, is imperative. Religion in Nigeria is delicately interwoven into every sphere of society and culture. Hence, any significant religious imbalance influences every aspect of the society. To this end, this paper explores the impact religious violence is making on the social and religious experiences of Christians living in Nigeria. Modern scholarship that have so far attempted to address the subject of religious violence in Nigeria has failed to show how these violent experiences are negatively shaping and impacting Christian belief and practices in the public square. Laying emphasis on lived-out faith in the public square, this paper specifically considers the negative influences of religious violence and targeted terrorist attacks on the Christian society in Nigeria. It argues that the church has not adequately equipped the Christian community with viable theologies to enable them contend with the contemporary Nigerian lived experiences of religious violence and the orchestrated agenda of ethnic cleansing and land grapping. To this extent, it proposes some action steps towards preserving the Christian faith for the benefits of the next generation. This article contributes by analyzing the impact of religious violence on the social and spiritual life of Christians in Nigeria, and proposing steps to preserve the Christian faith amid the rapidly changing context and challenges of violence.   Berbagai studi terus menunjukkan bahwa kekuatan dan pusat kekristenan dunia sedang bergeser dari Utara ke Selatan Global. Pergeseran ini mengandaikan bahwa Gereja di Selatan Global merupakan masa depan bagi kekristenan dunia. Dengan demikian, karena Nigeria berada di wilayah Selatan Global dan merupakan negara terpadat di Afrika, maka perlu dilakukan kajian terhadap tren sosial-keagamaan yang memengaruhi kekristenan, meskipun dampaknya bersifat negatif. Agama di Nigeria terjalin erat dalam setiap aspek masyarakat dan budaya. Oleh karena itu, ketidakseimbangan religius yang signifikan akan memengaruhi seluruh tatanan kehidupan sosial. Berdasarkan hal tersebut, makalah ini meneliti dampak kekerasan agama terhadap pengalaman sosial dan religius umat Kristen yang tinggal di Nigeria. Kajian-kajian modern yang sejauh ini mencoba membahas topik kekerasan agama di Nigeria belum mampu menunjukkan bagaimana pengalaman kekerasan tersebut secara negatif membentuk dan memengaruhi keyakinan serta praktik kekristenan di ruang publik. Dengan menekankan pentingnya iman yang diwujudkan dalam kehidupan publik, makalah ini secara khusus menyoroti pengaruh negatif kekerasan agama dan serangan teroris yang menargetkan komunitas Kristen di Nigeria. Makalah ini berargumen bahwa gereja belum sepenuhnya membekali komunitas Kristen dengan teologi yang memadai untuk menghadapi realitas kekerasan agama dan agenda sistematis pembersihan etnis serta perampasan tanah yang sedang berlangsung di Nigeria. Oleh karena itu, makalah ini mengusulkan beberapa langkah praktis untuk mempertahankan iman Kristen demi kepentingan generasi berikutnya. Artikel ini berkontribusi dengan menganalisis dampak kekerasan agama terhadap kehidupan sosial dan spiritual umat Kristen di Nigeria, serta mengusulkan langkah-langkah untuk menjaga keberlangsungan iman Kristen di tengah perubahan konteks dan tantangan kekerasan yang semakin kompleks.
Globalization and The Future Hope for Christianity: How Africa Can Shape World Christianity Biwul, Seth Ahmetmu
Journal of Religious and Socio-Cultural Vol 6 No 2 (2025): Journal of Religious and Socio-Cultural Vol.6 No.2 (October 2025)
Publisher : Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Widya Agape dan Perkumpulan Teolog Agama Kristen Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.46362/jrsc.v6i2.305

Abstract

Religion has not been insulated from the widespread forces of globalization. While these forces have facilitated the transmission of religion from one region to another, they have also reshaped the face of religion in various parts of the world. Focusing on the Christian faith in Africa—particularly Nigeria—this paper argues that globalization has functioned as an effective means of transporting Western religious ideals into the Global South. Consequently, globalization is viewed with suspicion as a tool of westernization, a concern reinforced by the marginalization of African Christian music and culture within the Global North. Yet, with Christianity’s imminent demographic shift to the Global South, it is imperative for the region to reclaim ownership of its faith and resist Western distortions. To this end, the paper reviews Western influence on contemporary Christianity, analyzes the deceptive aspects of globalization, and suggests ways in which African Christianity can actively engage globalizing forces, leveraging them to transmit African Christian norms and values back to the Global North.