Browsing by Author "Umar Silas, Labilam"

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    Peacebuilding amongst Christian and Muslim in Nigeria : a critical study of "a model of and for" religion leaders as peace brokers
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03-14) Umar Silas, Labilam; Simon, David Xolile; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: We live in a world where religious diversity is increasingly affecting and changing everything around us and ourselves as well. No religious community is exempt from the pressures of diversity. The crisis of age constitutes a call to religions to co-operate and work out dialogical ways of understanding ourselves, as well as others. The issue of harnessing the beliefs and practices of religions is not to form new religions, as the multiplicity of religions is not an evil that needs not to be removed, but rather a wealth that is to be welcomed and enjoyed by all because there is more truth in all religions than in one particular religion. As a result of religious diversity and the need for peace between the Christian and Muslim religions in Nigeria, the argument is present for and against each of the typologies of theology of religions in order to understand the relation between Christianity and other religions. The theological understanding is about the beliefs and practices of peace. The approaches are done with regard to each typology in the theology of religions in relation to four selected constants in mission. This is because holistic and flexible missiological approaches require one to reflect on religious identities by strengthening and sustaining interreligious dialogue. Its purpose is to be involved in the movement of God’s love towards human beings and to participate in the ecumenical movement for peacebuilding in the relationship between religion and conflict, because religion is important in the lives of people. People live their lives based on their religious traditions. Religion has a dual legacy in human history regarding peace and conflict, because religion plays the central role in human beings’ social behaviours due to the influence of religion on the lives of the religious leaders and their followers. This role that religion has played and still is playing has a dynamic influence on the lives of the adherents – either positive or negative – because in most conflicts in Nigeria, religion is mentioned as one of the factors. Religious conflict has reached a dangerous level, resulting in ethnic and religious groups becoming a threat to peace and harmony. This thesis has emphasised the dialogical missiological reflection on a model of as beliefs and for as practice of religious leaders as peace brokers in their societies, because their scriptures include a clear understanding of salvation/peace. The research argues that religious leaders are to work for justice by considering human suffering, which is not deniable in their religious beliefs and practices, because if a religion does not have love of God and human beings, then something is dysfunctional in that religion. Due to religious pluralism and the need for peace between the Christian and Muslim religions in Nigeria, the researcher presents the arguments for and against a typology of theology of religions, with a reflection on constants in mission. The approaches bring out important aspects by suggesting practical missiological strategic solutions for how Christian religious leaders should relate with others.