THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATING PEOPLE IN THEOLOGY IN THE 21st CENTURY TO FORM RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF CONSCIENCE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

In Nigeria today, most Religious Leaders are either Christians or Muslims. Due to massive differences in understanding what the “Holy Books said (Bible and the Quran]; there is urgent need be fully grounded knowledge on aspects of Theological Education to sharpen their vision for effective leadership. The Importance of Theological Education in the formation of conscience is cardinal in forming human character to uphold sound societal ethos. The drive to seek wisdom in order to exercise morality to exhibit basic ethical behaviour in human society can be tie to the quest for sound spirituality of leaders of Churches or Mosques in Africa. This is extremely important and is the sino quo non of rendering qualitative catecheses to the Congregation of God's people in the 21st century. The reception of qualitative theological education by Religious Leaders in Africa has multiple benefits - it promotes orthodoxy, guides the leader's intellectual power to deliver divine truth, carving a roadmap and setting rich agenda of priorities on issues of justice, peace and the development of pastoral and cultural sensibilities. It increases the quality of the messages delivered at public gatherings, it renews and refreshes the recipient access to the truth and it enhances capacity for dialogue with multiple and diverse religions. In this research, we undertake to expound the teaching that is grounded with God-centred truth in Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Tradition, received through the discipline of acquiring Theological Education; as it helps religious leaders in Africa yearn for a greater spirit to promote peace and harmony amongst adherents of different faith-based communities. A sound Theological Education promotes orthodoxy and sustains the Deposit of Faith; as it brings refreshing transformation, creativity and generating fruitfulness. The task lies in inculturating values to nurture and sustain a mature African civilization for brighter prospects of a happy and progressive people of today and tomorrow.