ABSTRACT
The people of Nigeria have been influenced by Christianity in all aspects of their lives. A comprehensive examination of the Nnewi people’s religious history reveals that Christianity has infiltrated both the urban and rural sectors of their culture. The purpose of this research is to investigate the role of Christianity in the development of the Nnewi nation. A brief introduction to the Nnewi people’s lifestyle previous to the arrival of Christianity will also be given for a better understanding of the project. This study’s work is divided into two sections: (1) a general background study involving the goals, methods, and definition of words; and (2) the historical origins and organizational lifestyle of the Nnewi people.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Since the beginning of time, Christianity has had a presence in various places around the world. However, among the numerous Christian groups, I would concentrate on Anglicanism. As a result, the scope of this project would include the history of Christianity in Nigeria, its spread to Nnewi in Anambra State, and a case study of the Anglicans to highlight its consequences. The history of Christianity in Nigeria, particularly in Nnewi town, which is one of the towns in Igboland in Anambra State in the south-eastern section of the country, reveals both positive and bad discoveries. The inhabitants of Nnewi and their culture have been studied, and they are acknowledged to have a high cultural value that distinguishes them. The Igbo people place a great deal of value and devotion to their religion. With the arrival of Christianity in Nigeria, particularly in Igbo country, the Igbo people’s traditional religion began to face difficulties. When Christianity took root in Nnewi town, several of the old traditions were abandoned. The Portuguese introduced Roman Catholicism to Nigeria in the fifteenth century, and this was the first Christian interaction in the country. It was, however, nearly extinct for the next 200 years, until Roman Catholic missionaries came in the 1800s. Since then, the Catholic Church has grown to about 19 million members and adherents, the majority of whom live in the south east. Nigeria’s Anglican church today has over 11 million members and adherents. This study’s method or research is a bold, practical approach. I would use surveys, interviews with certain lay and ordained members of the Anglican church of Nigeria, document analysis from school libraries, institutes, online research (E-library), journals, text books, and research papers as quantitative and quantitative sources of social research. A variety of hypothetical and real-life case studies are used to explain this subject. Since the end of the slave trade, the church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has grown at a breakneck pace. It’s fascinating to learn that Christianity, and specifically Anglicanism, which began as a child’s play in Badagry and Abeokuta, has spread like wildfire to every nook and cranny of our country, Nigeria. Augustinian and Capuchin monks from Portugal helped bring Christianity to Nigeria in the 15th century. When Henry Townsend of the Church Missionary Society arrived in Badagry from Freetown, Sierra Leone, in 1842, he sowed the seed of Anglicanism properly. 2 The study’s context is that Christianity has been entrenched in Nigeria and its many states. Christianity, on the other hand,
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This project aims to reveal the full extent of Christianity’s impact on the Nnewi people, with a concentration on Anglicans. – To help individuals abandon their faith in the powers of idol worship and discover serenity in Christianity. – The purpose of this research is to investigate the role of Christianity in the development of the Nnewi nation. – To shed light on the Anglican church’s relationship with other denominations and its emergence in the Nnewi nation. – To investigate the origins of the Nnewi people and their religion, as well as the actions of Christian missionaries in Nnewi, Anambra state. – Make suggestions/recommendations on how the Anglican Church of Nigeria might better reflect Nnewi traditional society’s living patterns.
CLARIFICATION OF TERMS AND CONCEPT
In this book, three key terms need to be clarified: Christianity, Anglicans, and Traditional culture. 1.3.1 The Christian faith A monotheistic system of beliefs and behaviors based on the Old Testament and the New Testament teachings of Jesus, stressing Jesus’ position as savior. The Christian religion is based on Jesus of Nazareth’s life and teachings. 3 With over a billion followers, Christianity is the world’s most widely practiced religion, with the Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox churches accounting for the majority. It began among the Jewish disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, who believed he was the expected Messiah (or ‘Christ,’) but, because to St. Paul’s missionary activities, the Christian church quickly became an autonomous institution.
Anglicans The term “Anglican” implies “of England,” however the Anglican church is found all over the world. It all started in England in the sixth century, when Pope Gregory the Great dispatched St. Augustine to establish a more orderly Apostolic succession among the Celts. In many ways, the Celtic influence was incorporated back into the Roman element of the church as the Anglican Church evolved as part of the Roman Church. English colonization and then English-speaking missionaries extended the Anglican church around the world. ‘The Anglicans’ are those who follow these practices. 4 The term “church” has been misused, as Billy Graham, an American preacher of the twentieth century, put it: “The Invisible Church is that bigger body of Christians who, down through the centuries, have remained invisible.”
METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY
The focus of this research would be on Christianity in Nnewi, Anambra State. The tactics utilized by Christian missionaries (Anglicans) that led to the establishment and growth of Christianity in Nnewi will be explored. The breadth is so broad, and the range of interested parties among possible readers is nearly endless. 7 In-depth stories/histories from materials are limited.
SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The focus of this research would be on Christianity in Nnewi, Anambra State. The tactics utilized by Christian missionaries (Anglicans) that led to the establishment and growth of Christianity in Nnewi will be explored. The breadth is so broad, and the range of interested parties among possible readers is nearly endless. 7 In-depth stories/histories from materials are limited.
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