Faith and Reason in Christianity Today: The Nigerian-Igbo Church in Dialogue with the Universal Church

Dr. Jude Ezimakor

doi:10.5771/9783689005764

Summary

This work demonstrates how deepening the dialogue between faith and reason can open new paths towards credible Christian practice in the Nigerian-Igbo context. Drawing on rigorous analyses of biblical, theological and philosophical traditions, the study addresses critical issues such as fideism, Pentecostal excesses and doctrinal imbalances. It demonstrates that these phenomena must be addressed pastorally, epistemologically, and ontologically. At the same time, the study develops constructive perspectives for a renewed culture of faith that thinks critically, believes deeply and acts responsibly. The work is intended for theologians, religious scholars, philosophers, and anyone interested in the reflective renewal of ecclesial life.

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Bibliographic data

Edition: 1/2026
Copyright year: 2026
ISBN-Print: 978-3-68900-575-7
ISBN-Online: 978-3-68900-576-4
Publisher: Tectum, Baden-Baden
Series: Wissenschaftliche Beiträge aus dem Tectum Verlag: Theologie
Volume: 16
Language: English
Pages: 398
Product type: Book Titles

1. Acknowledgements No access
1. 0.1 Theoretical and Historical Framework of the Study No access
2. 0.2 Structure of the Study No access
3. 0.3 Purpose and Significance of the Study No access
4. 0.4 Research Design and Method No access
1. 1. 1.0 Introduction No access
  2. 1. 1.1.1 Genesis 15:1–6 No access
    2. 1.1.2 Romans 4:1–25 (4:16–22) and Galatians 3:6–29 (3:6–12,23–29) No access
    3. 1.1.3 Hebrews 11:1–3,8 No access
  3. 1. 1.2.1 Hypostasis: Faith as Content of Belief No access
    2. 1. 1.2.2.1 Faith as Elenchos No access
      2. 1.2.2.2 Faith as Pistis: Means to Faith as Relationship No access
  4. 1.3 Appraisal and Conclusion: A Synthesising Perspective No access
2. 1. 2.0 Introduction No access
  2. 1. 1. 2.1.1.1 Plato No access
      2. 2.1.1.2 Aristotle No access
    2. 1. 2.1.3.1 René Descartes No access
      2. 2.1.3.2 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz No access
      3. 2.1.3.3 John Locke No access
      4. 2.1.3.4 David Hume No access
      5. 2.1.3.5 Immanuel Kant No access
      6. 2.1.3.6 Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel No access
    3. 1. 2.1.2.1 Bonaventure No access
      2. 2.1.2.2 Thomas Aquinas No access
  3. 2.2 Appraisal and Conclusion: A Synthesising Perspective No access
3. 1. 3.0 Introduction No access
  2. 1. 1. 3.1.1.1 Faith and Reason as the Double Order of Knowledge No access
      2. 3.1.1.2 The Role of Reason in the Elaboration of Supernatural Truth No access
      3. 3.1.1.3 No Opposition between Faith and Reason No access
      4. 3.1.1.4 The Mutual Relationship of Faith and Reason No access
      5. 3.1.1.5 The Nature of Progress in Theological Knowledge No access
      6. 3.1.3.2 The Dynamics in the Faith-Reason Relationship No access
        3.1.3.3 The Christological Hermeneutics of Faith and Reason No access
        3.1.3.4 Faith and Reason in the History of Medieval Thought No access
        3.1.3.5 The Work of the Magisterium vis-à-vis the Faith-Reason Relationship No access
        3.1.3.6 The Role of Philosophy and Theology in the Faith-Reason Relationship No access
        3.1.3.7 Challenges to the Faith-Reason Relationship No access
      7. 3.1.4.2 Need for Dialogue between Natural and Supernatural Revelations No access
        3.1.4.3.2 Logos in Historic-Philosophical Thought No access
        3.1.4.3.3 Logos in Biblical-Theological Tradition No access
        3.1.4.3.4 Encounter Between Greek Thoughts and Biblical Reflections No access
        3.1.3.4.5 Divine Logos and Science: A Synthesis of Christian Faith and Scientific Reason No access
    2. 1. 3.1.2.1 Faith as the Submission of the Human Intellect and Will No access
      2. 3.1.2.2 Faith as Gift of the Holy Spirit and Assent of the Mind No access
  3. 1. 1. 3.2.1.1 Rationality in Relation to Science: The Place of Faith No access
      2. 3.2.1.2 Dialectics of Rationality No access
      3. 3.2.1.3 Scientific Method in Relation to the Structure of the Universe and Human Cognition No access
      4. 3.2.1.4 Faith within Science and Rationality: A Metaphysical Ethosof Thought No access
      5. 3.2.3.2 Faith and Reason in Relation to Religion within the Human Society No access
    2. 1. 3.2.2.1 The Question of Rational Justification of Belief vis-à-vis Rationality of Faith No access
      2. 3.2.2.2 Philosophical Analysis of Rational Belief No access
      3. 3.2.2.3 Significance of Rational Religious Belief No access
  4. 3.3 Appraisal and Conclusion: A Synthesising Perspective No access
1. 1. 4.0 Introduction No access
  2. 1. 4.1.1 Nigeria: A Brief History and Structure No access
    2. 4.1.2 The Igbo as a People: Origin and History No access
    3. 4.1.3 Political Structure of the Igbo No access
    4. 4.1.4 Religion in the Life of the Igbo No access
  3. 1. 4.2.1 The Missionaries and the Planting of Christian Faith in Igboland No access
    2. 4.2.2 Christian Religion and its Encounter with Igbo Culture No access
  4. 1. 1. 4.3.1.1 Understanding Culture No access
      2. 4.3.1.2 Inculturation: Integrating Culture and Faith in the Practice of Christianity in Igboland No access
  5. 4.4 Appraisal and Conclusion: A Synthesising Perspective No access
2. 1. 5.0 Introduction No access
  2. 1. 5.1.1 Fideism vis-à-vis Reason and Philosophy in Igbo Christian Practice and Life No access
  3. 1. 5.2.1 Introducing Pentecostalism No access
    2. 5.2.2 Understanding Pentecostalism No access
    3. 1. 5.2.3.1 Classical Pentecostalism (1918–1941) No access
      2. 5.2.3.2 The Charismatic Movements (1944–1980s) No access
      3. 5.2.3.3 Neo-charismatic Movements (1980s–2000s) No access
    4. 1. 5.2.4.1 Cultural Challenges No access
      2. 5.2.4.2 Religious Challenges No access
      3. 5.2.4.3 Socio-political Challenges No access
  4. 5.3 Appraisal and Conclusion: A Synthesising Perspective No access
1. 1. 6.0 Introduction No access
  2. 6.1 Pastoral and Doctrinal Responses of some Catholic Bishops in Igboland No access
  3. 6.2 Perspectives of Selected Igbo Catholic Scholars on the Challenges to Christian Faith No access
  4. 6.3 Pastoral Responses to Faith Challenges in Igbo Catholicism: Insights from the Diocese of Enugu No access
  5. 6.4 Intervention of the Nigerian Catholic Bishops: Call for Ecclesial and National Renewal No access
  6. 6.5 Appraisal and Conclusion: A Synthesising Perspective No access
2. 1. 7.0 Introduction No access
  2. 7.1 From Doubt to Conviction: Thomas the Apostle’s Journey to a Deeper Knowledge of Christ No access
  3. 7.2 From Conviction to Witness: The Emmaus Narrativeas the Fruit of the Union between Faith and Reason No access
  4. 1. 7.3.1 Misguided Rationalism and the Crisis of Faith in European Christianity: A Critical Analysis and Path Toward Ecclesial Renewal No access
    2. 7.3.2 Uncritical Credulity and the Crisis of Theological Formation in African Christianity: A Critical Analysis and Proposal for Ecclesial Maturity No access
  5. 7.4 Appraisal and Conclusion: A Synthesising Perspective No access
General Appraisal and Conclusion No access Pages 367 - 370
Summary of Findings No access Pages 371 - 374
Final Synthesis and Conclusion No access Pages 375 - 378
Recommendations for the Nigerian Church No access Pages 379 - 382
Bibliography No access Pages 383 - 398