OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY: A CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN IDENTITY IN NIGERIAN SOCIETY

Abstract

The concept of Christian identity remains a central concern in contemporary Nigerian society, where cultural pluralism, religious syncretism, and moral decline pose serious challenges to authentic Christian living. This study, titled “Old Things Have Passed Away: A Contextual Analysis of 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Its Implications for Christian Identity in Nigerian Society”, explores the transformative nature of the Christian life as presented in Pauline theology. The statement of the problem arises from the increasing gap between professed Christian faith and actual lifestyle among Nigerian Christians, where old patterns of corruption, materialism, and moral laxity persist despite religious commitments. Employing a contextual and exegetical methodology, the research critically analyzes 2 Corinthians 5:17 while integrating socio-cultural analysis to uncover its practical relevance. Findings reveal that Paul’s assertion of becoming a “new creation” demands a radical break from sinful patterns and a reconstruction of identity anchored in Christ rather than cultural pressures or societal expectations. The study concludes that Christian identity in Nigeria is endangered by nominalism and the accommodation of old habits that contradict biblical transformation. It recommends intentional discipleship, contextualized Christian education, and the re-emphasis of ethical formation in churches as vital strategies for building authentic Christian identity. The research ultimately argues that for Nigerian Christians to embody true newness in Christ, the old ways of corruption, ethnic rivalry, and materialistic orientation must give way to a Christcentered life that transforms both the individual and the larger society.