RECONSIDERING THEORIES, FRAMEWORKS AND MODELS FOR SECURING CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM COEXISTENCE IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

An empirical research conducted and published by Stellenbosch Theological Journalin 2020, explored and hermeneutically analysed the results on the state of ChristianMuslim relationship in Northern Nigeria.The empirical hermeneutical design was structured in four units of evaluation: first, the investigation of the challenges among Christians and Muslims in Northern Nigeria; second, the description of the extent and effects of the challenges; third, the evaluation of the role of religious leaders in addressing the challenges; and fourthly, suggestion for addressing the challenges.This study reflects on the results by recommending and reconsidering some theories, frameworks, and models as potential platforms for promoting and securing Christian-Muslim co-existence in Northern Nigeria. A framework for Christian-Muslim inter-religious relationship propounded by Oholiabs D. Tuduks published in 2021 with International Academy of Practical Theology was used. The framework was built on three groups: ‘religious group’, ‘intra-religious group’, and ‘inter-religious group’ reckoned to be acutely crucial for Christian-Muslim functional relationship in their co-existence. The models of Kritzinger (2018) of ‘face-to-face’, ‘back-to-back’, and ‘shoulder-to-shoulder’ and that of Dajani (2007) of ‘wasatia’, and the metaphor of quantum entanglement were explored in motivating the framework. A radical application of ‘calling a spade a spade’ in dialogue in religious, intra-religious, and inter-religious relationships stood out as recommendations for promoting and securing ChristianMuslim co-existence towards functional inter-religious relationship.