Nsukka Journal of Religion and Cultural Studies

Navigating Ethnic Politics in Zambia: Biblical-Theological Principles for Electing National Leaders

2026-03-18T12:27:41+00:00

Ethnic politics remains a persistent problem in Zambia, subverting objective political engagement and national cohesion. This research aims to explore how biblical-theological principles of leadership can guide Zambians in navigating ethnic politics when electing national leaders. Guided by a qualitative descriptive design, the study adopts a desk research method for data collection and employs thematic analysis to examine the findings. The findings reveal that ethnic politics is most evident in party affiliations, voting patterns, political rhetoric, and public service appointments. Additionally, a theological reflection demonstrates that principles of Imago Dei, competence, integrity, servant leadership, and justice offer a redemptive framework for countering ethnic politics in Zambia. The study further underscores the practical implications for the church to foster the integration of biblical-theological ethics in combating identity politics. Ultimately, this study contributes to ongoing discourses on ethical political engagement and national cohesion by advocating for the integration of biblical theological values to address societal challenges.

Nehemiah’s Approach to the Challenge of Insecurity in the Context of the Church in Nigeria

2026-03-18T12:42:04+00:00

Insecurity is a significant challenge facing humanity, and its reality cannot be ignored. The primary concern is the active involvement of human beings in this issue. It is truly disheartening to witness the ways in which humans have been fighting and attacking one another since ancient times. The insecurity challenge in the ministry of Nehemiah was orchestrated by fellow humans. Nehemiah’s ministry in rebuilding the broken walls of the Gola community was confronted with the rising of Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem. They served as the major antagonists and likewise instigated foreigners to work against the project. The 21st -century church is also facing a similar challenge. The church is not free from moles who feed kidnappers with information on how to attack and abduct innocent citizens. The
church is confused on how to salvage the challenge of insecurity. To draw insights from Nehemiah’s model in tackling insecurity, the study leveraged the historical-critical method for attendant applicability to Nigeria’s security situation. The relevant literary works that unfold the strategies of Nehemiah are hereby reviewed and reapplied for the present insecurity. The work hereby recommends that the church be strategic and intentional in tackling insecurity through religious and spiritual resources and technology-mediated surveillance.

Reformation and the Birth of Modern Democracy in Nigeria: A Christian-Historical Approach

2026-03-18T12:46:38+00:00

The Reformation was a defining movement in Christian history that not only transformed religious beliefs but also reshaped political thought and systems of governance. However, its influence on democratic principles, particularly within the Nigerian context, has received limited scholarly attention. This study addresses that gap by examining how Reformation ideals such as individual liberty, moral accountability, and resistance to absolute authority have contributed to the evolution of democratic governance in Nigeria. The research adopts a qualitative method, relying entirely on secondary sources including scholarly books, journal articles, historical records, and archival documents. It traces the historical origins of both the Reformation and democracy, focusing on the works of Martin Luther, John
Calvin, and King Henry VIII, and further explores how their ideas influenced later thinkers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The findings indicate that Reformation principles laid a firm foundation for modern democracy and human rights, which are reflected in global charters such as the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. The study concludes by recommending that Nigeria adopt Reformation-inspired values of ethical leadership, accountability, and freedom of conscience to strengthen democratic culture and promote good governance.

The Problem of Materialism According to Luke 12:13-21 and the Church in Nigeria

2026-03-18T12:54:41+00:00

Luke 12:13-21 is one of the essential pericopes that deals with issues concerning materialism in the New Testament. It centres on story of the rich fool and his attitude towards wealth, which Jesus Christ alluded to as a foolish act. This is because the man in question failed to utilise his wealth properly. Similarly, the Church in Nigeria today has deviated from the teaching in Luke 12:13-21. Thus, this work aims at studying the pericope of Lk 12:13-21 and relating its implications for materialism to the church in Nigeria. While aiming at doing this, the article employs the diachronic method of exegesis with oral interview as a source of data collection. The article finds out that Lk 12:13-21 teaches about detachment from material possessions with contentment as key. This implies that the church in Nigeria with its materialistic tendencies need to key into detachment from wealth by putting wealth as secondary to contentment, with an emphasis on almsgiving and judicious sharing of wealth among her members.

Clergy Retirement Management and Ecclesial Responsibility in the Universal Reformed Christian Church (NKST): Policies, Practices, and Pastoral Implications

2026-03-18T13:01:05+00:00

This study examines the management of clergy retirement in the Universal Reformed Christian Church (Nongu uKristu u i Ser u sha Tar – NKST), focusing on selected NKST congregations in Benue State, Nigeria, and addressing systemic, psychosocial, and economic challenges. Drawing on interviews, field observations, and church records, the research identifies poor pension administration, irregular fund remittances, inadequate healthcare, and the absence of structured post-retirement roles. Retired clergy often experience declining health, reported emotional distress associated with income insecurity, and financial hardship, which manifest in reduced capacity for self-care and increased physical strain. Some engage in informal income-generating activities, including small-scale local enterprises, as a coping strategy for economic survival. The study concludes that sustainable retirement requires dual responsibility: proactive planning and financial literacy on the part of clergy, alongside enforceable policies and structured support from the Church. The findings offer a model for strengthening clergy retirement systems in similar faith-based institutions.

Interpreting Hōn Mehebel Yimmat in Proverbs 13:11 as a wisdom critique for corrupt leaders in Nigeria

2026-03-18T13:17:42+00:00

Corruption remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing national crises, affecting governance, infrastructure, education, and the economy. While much has been written on Proverbs, ethical hermeneutics, and African biblical interpretation, few works draw these strands together into a unified reading of Proverbs 13:11 within Nigeria’s socio-political context. This study adopts a multi-dimensional interpretive framework—socio-rhetorical, canonical, and contextual—allowing Proverbs to speak prophetically to Nigeria’s corruption crisis. It employs qualitative and exegetical analysis, involving close reading of the Hebrew text through textual and lexical criticism. Thus, the research contributes original insight by applying a textually grounded and contextually aware interpretation of ְה ֶּב רַיְדָי-ל ַעְץ ֵב ֹקְ ו”) wealth from vanity will dwindle”) as a critique of corruption in Nigeria. Findings show that the Hebrew phrase, meaning “dishonest money dwindles away,” resonates profoundly with Nigeria’s systemic corruption, where ill-gotten wealth rarely produces sustainable development. The study demonstrates that corruption erodes trust in leadership, deepens poverty, and perpetuates inequality, echoing the moral failures Proverbs warns against. It further establishes that biblical wisdom literature provides ethical foundations for integrity and accountability in leadership, underscoring that dishonesty ultimately leads to decline. The paper recommends intentional integration of biblical ethics into governance and leadership training, active teaching of integrity by churches and seminaries, and collaboration among faith leaders, policymakers, and civil society to foster transparency, equity, and sustainable governance.

Pentecostal economic empowerment as lived and public theology in Nigeria: Mountain of fire and miracles ministries as a test case

2026-03-18T13:22:38+00:00

Economic Empowerment Initiatives (EEIs) are central to the social and theological practice of faith-based organisations in Nigeria, especially within Pentecostal Christianity. While research on poverty and unemployment has focused mainly on government and international interventions, little attention is given to religious institutions. This study examines the forms, strategies, outcomes, and challenges of EEIs in Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Lagos State. Anchored in lived and public theology, the study adopts a qualitative descriptive design, using in-depth interviews with 89 purposively selected participants (programme coordinators, pastors, members, and beneficiaries) and three focus group discussions across five local government areas where MFM initiatives are prominent. Data were analysed through qualitative content analysis. Findings identify two major interventions—skill acquisition and vocational empowerment—implemented through training and the provision of start-up materials in agricultural, technological, and service sectors. These programmes enhance employability, financial independence, and reduce reliance on church welfare. However, weak post-training monitoring, resale of distributed items, and limited awareness threaten sustainability. The study concludes that Pentecostal institutions operate as socioeconomic actors whose theology shapes practical responses to poverty and unemployment, expressing a lived public theology integrating spirituality with social responsibility in Nigeria

Social media exposure, youth culture, and get-rich-quick Syndrome among Nigerian undergraduates

2026-03-18T13:37:36+00:00

Social media profoundly influences youth aspirations, promoting get-rich-quick syndrome through flashy wealth displays amid Nigeria's economic challenges like unemployment and rising cost of living. This study aims to examine social media exposure and youth culture's role in fostering get-rich-quick syndrome among UNN undergraduates, identifying factors, consequences, and interventions. A descriptive survey gathered data from 203 undergraduates via multi-stage sampling and structured questionnaire (SMGRQSQ), analysed with SPSS descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Findings show 65.5% high daily exposure, 83.3% encountering quick-wealth content
(Instagram/TikTok dominant), significant link to get-rich-quick syndromes (χ² = 42.216, df = 2, p < .001), and multidimensional consequences (χ² = 48.903, df = 3, p < .001). At the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), this intersects with youth culture-materialism, peer pressure, and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)-leaving undergraduates vulnerable to scams, financial losses, and academic decline. The problem lies in limited integration of digital exposure, youth culture, and vulnerabilities in prior research, creating a gap in institution-specific insights. Interventions prove protective. The study recommends the integration of digital financial literacy in curricula, expand social work workshops/counselling, enforce content regulation, and foster religious-cultural reorientation for ethical values.

Globalising the Sacred: The World Sàngó Cultural Festival and the Reinvention of Yoruba Religious H

2026-03-18T13:43:42+00:00

The World Sango Cultural Festival, held each year in Oyo, Nigeria, stands as a vibrant meeting point of religion, culture, and globalisation. Dedicated to Sango, the Yoruba deity of thunder and lightning, the festival has evolved beyond its sacred origins to become a global celebration that draws participants from across Africa, the Caribbean, and the wider diaspora. This paper investigates how the festival reshapes Yoruba religious identity within the realities of modernity, tourism, and transnational cultural exchange. Using insights from historical accounts, oral interviews, ethnographic observation, and cultural analysis, it explores how Sàngó worship has been reinterpreted as both a form of heritage preservation and a means of cultural diplomacy. The study argues that the festival’s growing international profile reflects an ongoing negotiation between the sacred and the secular, in which ritual performance becomes a channel for identity affirmation and the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. By situating the World Sàngó Festival within larger discussions on postcolonial identity, African traditional religion, and cultural representation, the
paper demonstrates how Oyo’s celebration of Sàngó blends innovation with continuity in the lived experience of Yoruba religious and cultural modernity.

Book Review: Material Possessions in Luke 12 and in Nigerian Christians’ Practise

2026-03-18T13:47:19+00:00

No Abstract

Book Review: Newman: Universal Revelation and the Challenges of Inculturation in an African Church

2026-03-19T06:43:02+00:00

No Abstract

Book Review: Spirit on the Move: Black Women and Pentecostalism in Africa and the Diaspora

2026-03-19T07:19:25+00:00

No Abstract