On Denominationalism and Inter-Denominationality: Discerning the Signs of the Times in Nigerian Christianity

Abstract

At this stage of Christianity in Nigeria, the question: “why do we fight with each other?” is not just relevant but cogent. Since the 1880s when Christianity arrived the southern part of Nigeria, there has been rivalry among the Christian denominations – from the struggle for territorial and numerical dominance, to antagonism in educational, political and social spheres. Sadly, this disunity has weakened Christianity as a force to check the excesses of the government and the lopsided policies that are not in the interest of the largely Christian populace. While Christians bicker and betray each other for denominational gains, the whole nation decays to the detriment of all. In this article, we exposed how Christianity came as denominations in Nigeria, provided a critical appraisal of denominationality and the ills of denominationalism. Then, we proffered inter-denominationality (not denominationalism) as the preferable orientation from denominationality for a better Christian relationality in Nigeria.