Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy

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Assessment of Christian Participation in Nigeria Politics in First Republic in the New Normal
(College of Postgraduate Studies RUN, 2023) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
The word politics has been discuss by various scholars to mean "to be acitizen to govern a state or administered the affairs of the state. While morality on the other hand means the standard the societies used to decide what is right or wrong in their behavior. The paper would discuss the, its moralism in the society. Also the participation of Christians in politics, why should Christians be involved in politics, how to be involved in politics, misconception about politics, Christian in politics, Nigeria experience towards an effective participation in politics. Participation in Nigeria Politics must be by the principles of discourse either as scholars in Academic environment, as religious leaders or as a socialites or public opinion. This paper in conclusion is of the opinion that Christians should maintain their morality and integrity and should not be discarded because politics will definitely affect our tomorrow and should not be seen as a do or die affairs. Another important thing to note is a leader you elect or fail to elect have great influence in our freedom. This research therefore recommends that Christian politicians in this new normal in Nigeria should beware who they ally with for politicking.
Assessment of Christian participation in Nigeria politics in first republic in the new normal
(Corpus Intellectual, 2023) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
The word politics has been discuss by various scholars to mean "to be acitizen to govern a state or administered the affairs of the state. While morality on the other hand means the standard the societies used to decide what is right or wrong in their behavior. The paper would discuss the, its moralism in the society. Also the participation of Christians in politics, why should Christians be involved in politics, how to be involved in politics, misconception about politics, Christian in politics, Nigeria experience towards an effective participation in politics. Participation in Nigeria Politics must be by the principles of discourse either as scholars in Academic environment, as religious leaders or as a socialites or public opinion. This paper in conclusion is of the opinion that Christians should maintain their morality and integrity and should not be discarded because politics will definitely affect our tomorrow and should not be seen as a do or die affairs. Another important thing to note is a leader you elect or fail to elect have great influence in our freedom. This research therefore recommends that Christian politicians in this new normal in Nigeria should beware who they ally with for politicking.
Between the 1st and 21st Century New Testament Church: Challenges and Prospects of Emerging Paradigms in the New Normal
(College of Postgraduate Studies RUN, 2023) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
The New Testament Church is the body of Christ characterised by believers who share a common faith and practice, usually meeting together within an identified community. Within the context of globalisation, advanced information technology, and now, post-Covid-19, the traditional construct of "the local assembly" meeting together in synagogues and from house to house in the 1st Century Church is being challenged and redefined by the threats of emerging global diseases and advanced communication systems in the 21st century. This paper uses comparative historical, literary and hermeneutical approaches to contrast, compare and contextualise the 1st and 21st-century Churches. This paper examines the emerging paradigms foisted on the 21st Century Church by developing global trends and their implications on the Church's ecclesiology. This study argues that global issues (such as the new normal post-Covid-19) influence the universal Church's New Testament orthopraxy amidst unchanging purpose, apostolic doctrines, normative and traditions but developing contextualisation. This paper proposes that contextualised ecclesiology amidst emerging global issues will prevent the Christian faith from antiquing.
Between the 1st and 21st Century New Testament Church: Challenges and Prospects of Emerging Paradigms in the New Normal
(Corpus Intellectual, 2023) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
The New Testament Church is the body of Christ characterised by believers who share a common faith and practice, usually meeting together within an identified community. Within the context of globalisation, advanced information technology, and now, post-Covid-19, the traditional construct of "the local assembly" meeting together in synagogues and from house to house in the 1st Century Church is being challenged and redefined by the threats of emerging global diseases and advanced communication systems in the 21st century. This paper uses comparative historical, literary and hermeneutical approaches to contrast, compare and contextualise the 1st and 21st-century Churches. This paper examines the emerging paradigms foisted on the 21st Century Church by developing global trends and their implications on the Church's ecclesiology. This study argues that global issues (such as the new normal post-Covid-19) influence the universal Church's New Testament orthopraxy amidst unchanging purpose, apostolic doctrines, normative and traditions but developing contextualisation. This paper proposes that contextualised ecclesiology amidst emerging global issues will prevent the Christian faith from antiquing
CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS AND ECONOMIC STABILITY IN NIGERIA
(National Association for the Study of Religions and Education (NASRED), 2024) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
In Nigeria, millions of the citizens are living in abject poverty as the economy has beenfluctuating from independence to the present time. Some factors have contributed to the fall ofNigeria’s economic status among which are corruption and bad governance. Various methodshave been employed and several experts from different fields have been involvedtofindsolutions to the dwindling economy yet all to no avail. This prompted this research tolookat another perspective to propound solution to Nigeria’s economic downturn. The methodemployed was historical in nature. The study considered Christian Associations of Nigeriaasatool to proffering likely solutions that may drastically reduce the menace of economic instabilityin Nigeria. The paper concluded that Christian Associations of Nigeria can be a forceintransforming the Nigeria economic problems in various ways. The Association has beenplayingpositive impacts not only among Christians but to the nation at large through its variousprogrammes such as youths and women empowerments, poverty alleviation development programmes and leadership trainings. The paper concluded that the impacts of the ChristianAssociation of Nigeria on the Nigerian society are capable of enhancing economic stabilityinNigeria if judiciously explored.
Christians as Light and Salt in Matthew 5:13-14 and its Implications for Good Governance in Nigeria
(Journal of Capital Development in Behavioural Sciences, 2020) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
The attitude of many Christians in Nigeria to governance is generally poor and this has always had adverse effects on nation building. Going by its tenets and values, Christianity is a worthy religion whose adherents are expected to positively influence the systems they are part of and so, Christians cannot afford to leave the governance of Nigeria into the hands of others. Unfortunately, Nigerian Christians are, at best, apathetic to political participation. In the Beatitudes, Jesus likened those who believed in Him to light and salt with an expectation that they would have good impacts on their immediate community. Apart from the fact that light and salt are essential to life, they are also change agents. However, as indispensable as they are,. they cannot make any appreciable impact unless they are part of the system they are expected to influence. It is, therefore, imperative that Christians in Nigeria would resolve to be practically involved in the governance of the nation. In this paper, the authors will critically examine the description of Christians as light and salt of the world and, using exegetical and hermeneutical methods, the implications of these to good governance in Nigeria would be highlighted.
Christians as Salt of the Earth in Matthew 5:13 among the Yoruba of Southwestern Nigeria
(Nigerian Journal of Church History and Missiological Studies, 2020) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
One of the most difficult challenges Christians face in the home, in the church, on the job, at the school or in the society is living as the salt of the earth. In this paper, attention is drawn to the church in the pluralistic Nigerian society: Challenges and the way forward focusing on Matthew 5:13 where Jesus speaks metaphorically to his audience, reminding them of their identity in the world. Nigeria is a pluralistic society with many religions, tribes, ethnics, languages and cultures. Jesus reminds Christians that as salt of the earth, they are expected to demonstrate the qualities of salt. This study shows that Christians in Nigeria have fundamental roles to play in order to save the society from the present rots. Using Bible to source primary data and published works and internets to gather secondary data on Christians as salt of the earth, the need for Christians in Nigeria to live as salt of the earth in the society that is battling with the challenges of corruption, immorality, religious fundamentalism, political instability and ethnic differences is hereby examined in the context of Matthew 5:13. The findings of the paper show that although Nigeria may be having so many challenges, it is believed, the trends leading to this situation are not without solutions, if the sermon of Jesus could be adopted by Christians. The implication of this is that Christians in Nigeria have the obligation to live out the qualities of suit as they live in this plurality.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF CHURCHES INVESTMENTS TO ECONOMIC STABILITY IN NIGERIA
(National Association for the Study of Religions and Education (NASRED), 2024) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
The economic situation of Nigeria among other nations is nothing to write home about. Other nations’ economy in one way or the other improve the life of their citizens but that of Nigeria keeps making wounds in the hearts of the citizens. Early 2023, one of the challenges that hit the economy of Nigeria was scarcity of cash and security challenges such as armed robbery, kidnapping and many others. Finding shows that Nigerians have strong confidence in the efficacy of sustainable peace in solving personal problems and that churches could ensure National unity and development in Nigeria. This paper combed the core responsibilities of churches in promoting Nigeria’s economy via preaching sound doctrines, engaging in political affairs, avoiding high cost of living at the expense of the masses, encouraging churches to organize poverty alleviation programmes through investments to generate gainful employment and financial sources for youth and widows empowerment among many others.
Eco-Theology as Panacea for Environmental Ecological Crisis in Osun State, Nigeria.
(Spectrum Journal of Contemporary Christianity and Society, 2020) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
The study explored the issue of environmental crises which is one of the major concerns for humanity. These crises threatening not only the continued existence of man, but also our very planet as well. From the beginning, nature has been the source of human life and every other living thing. Apart from the misuse and abuse of nature by human beings all over the world, the advancement of human ability to control and manipulate the earth's natural resources through science and technology has resulted in a situation where human life is seriously endangered more than ever before. The great concern facing humankind now goes beyond the issue of relationship between human life and nature or how to deal with environmental crises, but also with the integrity of the whole creation, peace and justice in an unjust world. Theologians have been talking about environmental and ecological crises and the damaging of the environment by man. Man, the crown of God's creations, whom God created to care for the earth appears to be the only specie damaging the earth by over exploiting it daily. Therefore, this paper concludes that environmental and ecological crises demand theological solution in such a way that it will foster development. To tackle these identified environmental and ecological crises like depletion; desertification and deforestation, climate changes, drought, floods and other natural disasters together with other manmade problems like solid wastes and management with pollution topping the list threatening life on earth
Equity and Justice as Panacea for Peace in Nigeria
(Ajayi Crowther University Journal of Humanities, 2019) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
This paper hinges on Equity and justice as panacea for Peace in Nigeria. The issue of peaceful co-existence in Nigeria is of paramount importance. The paper was premised on the fact that Nigeria is multi-ethnic with multifarious religious groups. The task of establishing a sustainable moral yardstick to advance peaceful co-existence in Nigeria requires thorough attention of Christian theologians in particular and all religious adherents in general. In Nigeria there are many differences that gear up or promote disunity unless equity and justice are applied. An overview of the Nigerian situation since 1960 when it got its independence is an essential ground that tells its history of ethnic-ethnic and religion-religion conflicts. Both intra- and inter- crises always blame inequity, injustice or both and the result of this development tribal, religious, or regional disunity. This in the past had led either to temporary or permanent damages in some cases. Everyone wants his/her face to be seen and his/her voice to be heard and this will instil in them the confidence to make progress in their daily living through sense of belonging. To foster peace in Nigeria, the study therefore recommended that all Nigerians, whether majority or minority; regardless of their locations and status should be given equal opportunities in all the geographical locations of Nigeria while, the three tiers of government in Nigeria use Nigeria's resources for the common good of all without any discrimination, partiality or stigmatization.
Ethical Implications of Exodus 20:13-18 and the Integrity of Nigerian Church Leaders
(NOUN Scholar Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2021) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
Ethos is the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature and guiding beliefs of a person, group or Institution. The Torah projects ethos in the Decalogue which guided the social and spiritual lives of the Israelites, especially in the matters of interpersonal relationships and about the acquisition of assets or valuables. The problem this paper tends to address is the normalization of covetousness among the Church leaders and members by employing undue emphasis on wealth acquisition in their teachings and preaching. Through exegetical method used for the study to the passage under study (Exo. 20:13-18), the findings reveal that the ethical implications of covetousness can be grievous. It must not be renamed with contemporary Church parlance "breakthrough" but must be abhorred.
Hermeneutic Methods and Biblical Interpretation: Implications for Sustainable Peace in the Northeast, Nigeria
(John Archers, 2022) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
The Bible is a compendium of books. Each book that makes up the entire Bible is powerful on its own and the combinations of these singular books in the canon make the Bible a great resource for change, growth and development. Because of its versatility, there is no other single literature that is widely published, interpreted and spread in different languages and tongues like the Bible. It is both infallible and inerrant, but these qualities can only be vividly expressed by the expertise and professionalism of the Bible interpreter. Depending on the soundness of the exegete, the Bible can be interpreted to deal with errors and confront societal problems and it could as well be interpreted wrongly to cause strife and tension in the society. Hence, the peace the Bible portrays, and on the other hand, the chaos it can be made to generate all depends on the interpreter as well as the hermeneutic method he/she chooses to make use of at every point in time. In this work, the author critically examines the influence of Hermeneutic methods on Biblical interpretation and its implications for the sustainable peace of the Northeast, Nigeria, which is being ravaged by insurgency and insecurity. Historical and phenomenological methodologies were employed by the author in the work. It is observed that a right hermeneutical method of the Bible and application by the interpreter to the context of the North East has greatly influenced the communities and the region and their dwellers. It is recommended that interpreters of the Bible should be diligent in their task and Christians should continue to show love and be Christ-like no matter what the situation is.
Justin Ukpong, Emmanuel Nlenaya Chinwokwu and Inculturation Hermeneutiics in Africa
(African Journal of Biblical Research, 2018) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
In the context of how the Bible continues to be interpreted in the world today, the rise and development of a specialized biblical methodology known. as 'Inculturation Hermeneutics' used within the context of Africa has received a global recognition. For this feat, it is fair to give credits to its foremost proponents in the likes of Professor Justin S. Ukpong, Professor Emmanuel Nlenanya Chinwokwu, Professor Vincent Nyoyoko, Professor Sunday 0. Abogunrin, Professor Chris Manus, Professor David Adamo, Professor Gerald West, and several others. However, despite its global acknowledgements, it is difficult to say if 'Inculturation Hermeneutics' is well understood in all ramifications by a majority of biblical scholars in Africa. In this article, therefore, we attempt to restate the essentials of this hermeneutics, especially, as understood by Justin Ukpong and E. N. Chinwokwu in dialectical reference. Professor Justin Ukpong used all his professional life to write on models and methods appropriate for African Hermeneutics, while Chinwokwu also dedicated his thirty year teaching career to model his contextualization of the Bible in Africa. Through content analysis, we demonstrate in this study how succeeding biblical scholars could take a cue from them and deepen this methodology for the benefit ofemerging African Biblical Studies.
Leadership and Peace Building in Nigerian Perspectives
(Department of Religious Studies, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye Ogun State, 2020) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
Peace building has always been considered as a restorative measure put in place between groups of people or nations after an initial experience of conflict. This makes peace building to come after a breakdown of exiting peace and mutual togetherness between organisations or groups. Peace building does not happen by chance or come easily; it takes critical and tactical analysis of issues by those who because of their positions in the society are respected by the populace. Three categories of leaders are known and respected in African communities generally and in Nigeria especially. These are Traditional rulers, political and religious leaders. In this paper, therefore, the roles of the leadership of these three tiers of leaders to peace building in Nigeria are discussed. Using historical and contextual analysis, this work examines what personal qualities and skills that are essential for leaders taking up the task of building to possess and the technicalities involved in the task The writers emphasise that peace building is not out to completely remove a conflict and bring about perfection of peace, but to manage the situation between/among the conflicting parties so as not to lead to afresh conflict. It was recommended that in peace building leaders need to be security conscious as they perform the task of peace building because peace terminators are usually out to frustrate their good intentions and are always ready to inflict injuries and cause destruction when their power and personal interests are threatened
Perception Engineering in Christianity and Elections in Nigeria: Perspective of Luke 23:13-25
(National Association for the Study of Religion and Education, 2022) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
The social order, justice, and prosperity possible in a nation depend on the kind of leadership and the electioneering processes that produce them. Elections in Nigeria have usually been fraught with irregularities both in concept and practice, such that the electorates' perception is skewed to elect incompetent and failure-bound leaders who were never the best to lead the rest of the nation. This study compared and contrasted the historical, political, and religious factors that shaped the perceptions of the Jews in Luke 23:13-25 to prefer a seditionist and slaughterer to a social crusader and saviour. This study used comparative analysis of primary data from the hermeneutical exegesis of Luke 23:13-25 and the secondary data from published works and elections in Nigeria to describe important factors that should guide the electioneering process in developing nations. This study has proven that Christian values can inform perceptions that guide electioneering through which credible leaders can emerge in a democratic nation like Nigeria.
Rapture and the Impact of Postmodernism on the 21st Century Christian
(RUN Journal of Culture, 2021) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
Rapture is the desire of Christian believers to return with Christ to heaven at the second coming. But many scholars are of the opinion that postmodernism has become a negative force capable of blurring the true perception of rapture thereby hindering the readiness for it, particularly in the postmodern age and its deconstructionist theories. Thus, several scholars have dwelled on these negative aspects of postmodernism but few have considered its positive tendencies. The paper examines rapture and the impact of postmodernism on the 21st Century Christian, harping on the concept and salient features. Based on this, the paper interrogates the 21st Century malady and carefully outlines and delineates the peculiarities of both the positive and negative impacts towards rapture. The paper concludes that postmodernism is a force, worldview and movement with negative and positive effects on believers and the impending rapture. It recommends that 21st century Christians should retain their Christian virtues despite the negative features of postmodernism.
Relational Leadership: An Exploration of Paul’s Leadership to Timothy and Its Application to the 21st Century Leadership Challenges
(The International Journal of Contemporary Research in Humanities, 2023) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
The sheer volume of literature on mentoring and leadership across a variety of disciplines is an indication of the high profile it has been afforded in recent years. However, though several studies have analysed Apostle Paul's readership style, the relational leadership model that Paul exhibits in Timothy is, in most cases, missing. The Apostle Paul’s mentorial-relational leadership with Timothy, his young disciple, protégé, partner in ministry, and adopted son in the faith, is an exemplary model of Biblical leadership and discipleship model, one that is worthy of significant influence in the training and development of church leaders today. In this work, the authors consider the best global practices in mentor-mentee interaction and how this can affect both the leader and the follower. The relevance of the Paul-Timothy mentorship model to the Church and how this can cause church ministry expansion using leader-follower intimacy is the crux of this paper. The paper highlights and concludes with a discussion of critical issues that church administrators responsible for establishing mentorship relationships should consider to maximise the experience of mentoring for all stakeholders. Among others, this work recommends that church leaders should apply the Paul-Timothy relationship as a style of continuity in the ministry.
Religion and Health: A Study on Selected Old Testament Dietary Laws for Healthy Living
(Insight: Journal of Religious Studies Babcock University, 2022) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
Healing and divine health are God's perfect will for mankind. God's plan for man was that he would enjoy divine health. Good health is one of the requisites for worship. A personality in good health stands on a better pedestal of worship than a personality with health challenges. Just as the soul needs hadebar- the Word for sound mind, games, natural foods rich in minerals, vitamins, trace elements, vital nutrients and other substances which have positive medical and curative properties are needed to keep the physical body in good health, in this era of wonder drugs, hormones and synthetic compounds. This paper which is mainly an inductive study, seeks to re-echo the need for all and sundry to adopt and apply biblical dietary principles for the enhancement of good health. Therefore, through this inductive study, the paper projects God's standard on the issue of diet as taught in the Scripture. From the findings of the study, the reasons, and benefits of the dietary laws in the Scripture are germane.
ROLE OF THE CHURCHES IN WEALTH CREATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
(National Association for the Study of Religions and Education (NASRED), 2024) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
Throughout history, religious organizations have been a prominent part of shaping the society. Christianity has influenced creative and controlling aspects of early societies and significantly affected early forms of government. Christian heritage, in part, shaped many countries’ cultural identity and values, including their economy. Nigeria has huge strategic importance to the continent of Africa and to the globe at large. Nigeria nation is about the most populous country in Africa with a population of more than 200 million and is blessed with many mineral resources including oil/gas, gold, lead zing, limestone, salt, etc. Nigeria is still considered to be a poor country with a low gross domestic product. Day in day out, several socio-economic related crises loom and abject poverty has engulfed the citizenry. This socio-economic problem has caused many of our youth to run to other economic advanced countries and the development of the country continue to be hampered because of its weak institutions, consumptive cultures, fragile and political structures. This paper examined the role of the church in wealth creation and employment opportunities. The churches to promote wealth creation and employment opportunities within their congregations and communities is of great significance and that they can achieve this through a range of initiatives and collaborations that empower individuals, foster entrepreneurship and contribute to sustainable economic development. This work therefore recommended that Churches should discourage indolence, facilitate wealth creation, create more employment opportunities to reduce poverty in our society.
Socio-Religious and Political Implications of Righteousness in Amos 5:24 on Nigerian Developmental Milieu
(NOUN Scholar Journal of Arts nd Humanities, 2022) Alabi, Fortunatus Godwin
A good number of academic works done in the book of Amos focused basically on social injustice with little emphasis on righteousness. Despite the attempts by scholars, the Government and well meaning Nigerians to salvage the insalubrious situation, the escalation of corruption and social vices continually hindered the political and economic development of Nigeria. In the meantime, the acclaimed giant of Africa is plagued with a violation of good governance and moral values. However, this paper employed a historical-critical method to examine the theology of righteousness in Amos 5:24 and its socio-religious import in the Nigerian developmental milieu to restore justice and righteousness. The findings show that there is a dire need for God's approved righteousness that produces equity, fairness, economic growth and political stability. It is worthy to note that religious and ethnic crises are hybrids of unrighteousness and moral dissipation from the family, the religious organizations, the educational environment, political parties and society at large. There seems to be spiritual blindness of the religious adherents, and upper and ruling classes in Nigeria which is evident in the unjust exploitation of the poor. The fact is this if about 95% of Nigerians claim to be religious, who then are the perpetrators of evil in the nation? This signals the unidentified missing link in the socio-religious context of Nigeria — hence, the thrust of this article. The present study, therefore, recommends serious tracking of God's approved righteousness, responsibility and accountability in governance. Self- righteousness and hypocritical worship that substitute for the demand of the covenant should be eschewed to attract the mercy of God for national development. Religious adherents and leaders should uphold the integrity and emulate Prophet Amos in providing eternal witnessing of God's opposition to economic, political and social abnormality. To ensure that justice rolls like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream as stated in Amos 5:24, all Nigerians should maintain self-discipline, and moral values and advocate righteousness in all agents of socialization.

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