Published Paper


Matthew 18:15-17 as a Model for Conflict Resolution among Nigerian Christians

Funke Elizabeth Oyekan1, Victor Umaru1, Jonathan O. Enyemike1, Oluwaseun L. Adedotun1, Sunday Olatunji Olayinka1
Religious Studies Programme, College of Liberal Studies, Bowen University, Iwo.
Page: 1420-1434
Published on: 2024 June

Abstract

The Church is the body of Christ redeemed and bought by his blood to reconcile men back to him.however, pieces of evidence reveal that the Church is not without conflict situations,negatively affecting the Church’s reputation. Church conflicts lead to violence, separation and litigations. Christian communities usually set up reconciliation committees at the local and national levels but to no avail. Besides, scholars have suggested various ways of settling conflicts through seminars, conferences, journal publications, and books. All efforts seem not to be working, as some church conflicts ended in violence, separation, and eventually, litigations.The study attempts a historico-grammatical analysis of Matthew 18:15-17 to examine Jesus’ response and its value in resolving church conflicts. The study revealed that Jesus’ model is faster, less expensive, cooperative, and less competitive. It improves the relationships of disputing parties’ disciplineserring church members and aids in regaining repentant Christian believers. The study recommends that church leaders adopt Jesus’ model in resolving conflict situations, allowing brotherly love to prevail and seeking peace and unity in the Body of Christ.

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