Implications of Christian Persecution in Nigerian and Persecutions in the Pre-Constantine Roman Empire

ABSTRACT

The Christians’ persecution in Nigeria especially in the Northeast region has resulted in an unprecedented record of Christian casualties. The question is “who are the persecutors and what are the effects of persecution”? As Christians are destabilized and scattered in the north, what happened to Christianity as they relocated to other regions? The Christians in the Roman Empire also suffered a great deal of persecution not knowing when it will end until Constantine was raised by God to help their situation. The first distinct Roman persecution of Christians by Emperor Nero was in 64 AD and continued until the implementation of “Edict of Milan” in 313 AD signed by Constantine and Licinius. The church in Nigeria has suffered much security challenges from people of opposing religious faith, who felt threatened by the unique presence of God, convincing miracles, power-oriented and dominating spirituality, unparalleled missionary spirit, and more significantly, her particularistic doctrinal claims.

 

Christian Persecution in Nigeria usually start as mild confrontations and then translate into violence leading to human and physical catastrophe in the loss of lives and destruction of properties. Nigerians have witnessed many ethno-religious and political, violent conflicts and insurgencies of Islamic terrorists. The objective of this study is to make known to every Christian in Nigeria to rise in the face of the current persecution and be ready to increase the church with a positive response to oppression. Now is the time for the church of God to move forward not minding the forces against it.

 

The intended methodological tools for this study would be participatory observation, historical, philosophical inquiry, and hermeneutic of love and justice approach. Data would be generated from life histories, works of related literature, journals, articles, published and unpublished manuscripts, and news media (both print and electronic), etc. A contextual approach would be implored in analysing the variety of factors.

 

The study expects the Constantine template to end the suffering of Christians in Nigeria. The study also hopes that positive outcome could be derived from Christians’ persecution especially in the spread of Christianity. The expectation is to determine the direction and response of Nigerian Christians to persecution.

 

Key Words: Christian Persecution, Violence, Violent Conflicts, Philosophical                                           Implication, Theological Implication and Islamic,Terrorists/Insurgencies.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                  

Cover Page

Title Page

Certification

Acknowledgments

Table of Contents

Abstract

CHAPTER ONE:  INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study

1.2       Statement of the Problem

1.3       Objectives of the Study

1.4       Scope of the Study

1.5       Significance of the Study

1.6       Methodology

1.7       Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1       Persecution of Christians in Pre-Constantine Roman Empire

2.2       Christian Persecution in Nigeria

2.3       Theological Perspective of Persecution

2.4.      Philosophical Perspective of Persecution

 

CHAPTER THREE: PERSECUTION IN PRE-CONSTANTINE ROMAN                                                  EMPIRE

3.1       Religions in Roman Empire before Constantine

3.2       Origin of Christianity in the Roman Empire

3.3       Factors for and against Christianity in the Roman Empire

3.4       Persecution of Christians Pre-Constantine Era

            3.4.1.   Persecution under Nero, 64 – 68 AD

            3.4.2. Persecution from 2nd Century to Constantine

            3.4.3    The Great Persecution

CHAPTER FOUR: PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS IN NIGERIA

4.1       Historical Background of Christian Persecution

4.2       Inter- Religious Persecution

4.3       Intra- Religious Persecution

4.4       Islamic Groups’ Persecution of Christians

4.5       Political Persecution of Christians

CHAPTER FIVE: THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF CHRISTIAN                                                      PERSECUTION IN NIGERIA

5.1       Theological and Historical analysis of Christian Persecution

5.2       Overcoming faulty Theological Perceptions

5.3       Significant Persecution and Fostering Reflection

5.4       Theological Implications for Missions Today

 

CHAPTER SIX: PHILOSOPHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF CHRISTIAN                                                      PERSECUTION IN NIGERIA

6.1       Exploring the Tragic Impact of Philosophical Thought on Persecution

6.2       Impact of Roman Polarity on Modern Christian Thought

6.3       Challenges to Roman Polarity in Contemporary Christian Thought

6.4       Effects and Implications of Persecution on Nigeria Christians

6.5       Responses to Christian Persecution

6.6       The Hope and Future of Christianity in Nigeria

CHAPTER SEVEN: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

7.1       Summary

7.2       Conclusion

7.3       Contributions to Knowledge

7.4       Recommendations

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDICES