CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The Christian faith has contributed significantly to the promotion of peace across the world at various levels (Albert, 2011). These contributions include public declarations by Church leaders, peace-oriented programmes at local and international levels, the establishment of organizations committed to peacebuilding, academic studies, and the observance of special days dedicated to peace. In recent decades, Church leaders have consistently expressed their support for peace through public statements. While some of these statements have addressed specific situations requiring peaceful intervention, others have provided broader explanations of the importance of peace and the different approaches through which it can be achieved. Christianity, whose teachings are guided by the Bible as the Word of God, continually encourages its followers to promote peace and maintain harmony within society.

Christian leaders have consistently advocated for peace and social harmony while condemning violence in society. Violent conflict is widely recognized as a major obstacle to the development of Africa, particularly Nigeria. It causes considerable human suffering through loss of lives, destruction of livelihoods, displacement of people, and persistent insecurity (Barash, 2000). Furthermore, violent conflicts interrupt productive activities, create opportunities for the exploitation and destruction of national resources, and redirect resources that should support development towards the financing of wars. Consequently, violent conflicts contribute to the continuation of poverty, suffering, and underdevelopment in Nigeria and other parts of the African continent (Adetula, 2006).

Peace is a universal condition desired by individuals and communities across the world. Different traditions, cultures, religions, and societies have their own approaches to achieving and maintaining peace. Generally, peaceful environments provide favourable conditions for development and enable people to enjoy more stable and fulfilling lives (Salawu, 2010). Christianity, one of the major religions in the world, emphasizes peace and encourages its followers to pursue peaceful coexistence with other people. However, the growing occurrence of intra-religious, inter-religious, and ethno-religious conflicts has raised questions about the practical application of these teachings. While some Arab and European countries have experienced intra-religious conflicts, Nigeria has experienced both intra-religious and inter-religious conflicts. Nigeria is widely recognized as Africa's most populous Black nation and is home to numerous ethnic groups, with Christianity and Islam being the major religions alongside African Traditional Religion (ATR).

The term Christianity refers to the faith and way of life of those who follow Jesus Christ and seek to practise His teachings. Christians are expected to demonstrate the principles of Christ in their daily lives, and peace remains one of the essential virtues of the Christian faith. The Bible encourages believers to maintain peaceful relationships with their neighbours and other members of society. Several biblical passages emphasize this responsibility. Psalm 34:14 instructs believers to turn away from evil, do good, seek peace, and pursue it. Similarly, Matthew 5:9 declares that peacemakers will be called children of God. First Peter 3:11 also encourages believers to avoid evil, do good, and pursue peace. Hebrews 12:14 emphasizes the need to pursue peace with everyone alongside holiness, while Romans 12:18 instructs Christians to live peacefully with all people as far as it depends on them.

In the Christian tradition, the concept of peace is associated with the Hebrew word Shalom, an important biblical term that expresses God's desire for humanity to live peacefully. Peace is one of the essential gifts that Jesus Christ brought to humanity, and His followers are expected to promote it through their conduct and relationships. Jesus did not merely teach peace; He also demonstrated it through His actions. This approach is sometimes associated with pacifism, which emphasizes the rejection of violence as a means of resolving conflicts. For instance, when one of Jesus' disciples struck the servant of the high priest during His arrest, Jesus rebuked the disciple and warned that those who take up the sword would perish by the sword (Matthew 26:52, NKJV).

Jesus also taught His followers to reject retaliation and respond to wrongdoing with restraint. In Matthew 5:38–39 (NKJV), He challenged the principle of responding to an injury with an equivalent act of revenge, encouraging His listeners to turn the other cheek when struck. In addition, He emphasized forgiveness and taught that people should forgive those who offend them repeatedly. Matthew 18:22 (KJV) presents His teaching on forgiveness through the expression of forgiving others seventy times seven. These teachings establish forgiveness, tolerance, non-retaliation, and peaceful coexistence as important Christian principles. Therefore, the Church has a responsibility to translate these biblical teachings into practical actions that promote peace and harmony within society.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Nigerian communities continue to experience several challenges that affect their social and economic development. These challenges include economic hardship, political instability, social crises, declining educational standards, moral deterioration, and inadequate infrastructure. Cultural challenges have also emerged as traditional values and practices are increasingly influenced by materialism, scientific and technological developments, and changing ideologies. These persistent problems raise questions about the extent to which the Church contributes to addressing the difficulties confronting individuals and communities. Consequently, it becomes necessary to examine the relevance of the Church in contemporary Nigerian society, particularly its contribution to resolving social problems and promoting peaceful coexistence. Since relevance is an important consideration in evaluating the contribution of any institution to human welfare, the Church's involvement in addressing the challenges of twenty-first-century Nigerian society is significant in assessing its continuing role among the people.

The Church teaches its members to avoid retaliation, following the example of Jesus Christ, who encouraged forgiveness and discouraged responses that escalate violence. By promoting tolerance, forgiveness, and restraint, the Church can help interrupt recurring cycles of violence in which one act of aggression leads to revenge and further conflict. Nevertheless, despite the Christian teachings on peace and non-retaliation, disturbances to peace and harmony continue to occur in different parts of the world, including Nigeria. This situation raises concerns about the extent to which the teachings of the Church are reflected in the behaviour of its members and translated into meaningful contributions to society.

The central problem of this study, therefore, is the continuing occurrence of conflict and social disharmony despite the Church's emphasis on peace, forgiveness, and peaceful coexistence. It is necessary to investigate the role played by the Church in promoting peace and harmony, examine the teachings through which it encourages peaceful relationships, and identify the factors that undermine peace within society. The study consequently seeks to examine how the Church can contribute to the maintenance of peace and harmony and support community development.

1.3 Research Objectives

The general objective of this study is to examine the role of the Church in promoting peace and harmony in society.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Examine the role of the Church in promoting peace and harmony in society for community development.

2. Examine the teachings and principles of the Church concerning peace and harmony and their relevance to community development.

3. Identify the factors that disrupt peace and harmony in society and hinder community development.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions are formulated in line with the objectives of the study:

1. What role does the Church play in promoting peace and harmony in society for community development?

2. What are the teachings and principles of the Church concerning peace and harmony for community development?

3. What factors disrupt peace and harmony in society and hinder community development?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H₀: The Church has played a significant role in promoting peace and harmony for community development.

H₁: The Church has not played a significant role in promoting peace and harmony for community development.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant in the following ways:

1. The findings of the study will be useful to government authorities, Church leaders, and the general public by providing insights into the role of the Church in promoting sustainable peace and harmony in society. The findings may also help these groups understand how Christian teachings and activities can contribute to peaceful coexistence and community development.

2. The study will serve as a reference resource for scholars and researchers interested in conducting further investigations into the relationship between the Church, peacebuilding, social harmony, and community development. It may also provide additional perspectives that can contribute to the understanding of the subject and encourage further academic research in this area.

1.7 Scope and Limitations of the Study

The study focuses on the position of the Church and the teachings of Christianity regarding peace and harmony in society. It examines the contribution of the Church to peaceful coexistence and considers how its teachings and activities can support community development.

The study may encounter the following limitations:

1. Financial Constraints: Inadequate funding may affect the researcher's ability to obtain relevant materials, consult literature, and gather the information required for the study. Financial limitations may also influence the extent of data collection through internet-based research, questionnaires, and interviews.

2. Time Constraints: The researcher will conduct this study alongside other academic responsibilities. As a result, the time available for research activities, including reviewing relevant literature, collecting data, and analysing findings, may be limited.