Contemporary Theological Relevance of the Incarnation: Addressing Human Suffering in the Nigerian Context

David Luka Gofwan

doi:doi:10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14

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Contemporary Theological Relevance of the Incarnation: Addressing Human Suffering in the Nigerian Context

David Luka Gofwan^*

Published in Humanities and Social Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 1)

Received: 20 January 2025 Accepted: 10 February 2025 Published: 21 February 2025

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Abstract

Nigeria is confronted with profound challenges related to human suffering, primarily driven by poverty, insecurity, corruption, and systemic inequality. These pressing issues raise significant theological and practical questions, especially concerning the capacity of Christian doctrines, such as the Incarnation, to engage with these harsh realities. This research investigates the contemporary theological significance of the Incarnation—the belief in God becoming human through Jesus Christ—as a means to comprehend and respond to human suffering within the Nigerian context. The main aim is to analyze how the Incarnation can foster hope, solidarity, and transformative initiatives to tackle Nigeria's socio-economic and political difficulties. Employing a theological and contextual approach, the study incorporates scriptural interpretation, doctrinal analysis, and socio-political examination. It also draws on insights from related disciplines, including sociology and political science, to provide a well-rounded perspective on the issues at hand. The findings indicate that the Incarnation demonstrate God's solidarity with human suffering, encourages compassionate involvement, and strengthens advocacy for justice. Additionally, it illustrates how the Nigerian church can embody the tenets of the Incarnation by engaging in holistic ministry, promoting reconciliation, and addressing systemic challenges through social advocacy. This research enhances understanding by presenting the Incarnation as a dual source of hope and a practical model for engagement, offering both theological and actionable insights aimed at alleviating suffering and fostering transformation in Nigeria

Published in	Humanities and Social Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14
Page(s)	30-40
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Incarnation, Human Suffering, Solidarity, Relevance

References

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APA Style

Gofwan, D. L. (2025). Contemporary Theological Relevance of the Incarnation: Addressing Human Suffering in the Nigerian Context. Humanities and Social Sciences, 13(1), 30-40. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14

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Gofwan, D. L. Contemporary Theological Relevance of the Incarnation: Addressing Human Suffering in the Nigerian Context. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2025, 13(1), 30-40. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14

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AMA Style

Gofwan DL. Contemporary Theological Relevance of the Incarnation: Addressing Human Suffering in the Nigerian Context. Humanit Soc Sci. 2025;13(1):30-40. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14

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@article{10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14,
  author = {David Luka Gofwan},
  title = {Contemporary Theological Relevance of the Incarnation: Addressing Human Suffering in the Nigerian Context
},
  journal = {Humanities and Social Sciences},
  volume = {13},
  number = {1},
  pages = {30-40},
  doi = {10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hss.20251301.14},
  abstract = {Nigeria is confronted with profound challenges related to human suffering, primarily driven by poverty, insecurity, corruption, and systemic inequality. These pressing issues raise significant theological and practical questions, especially concerning the capacity of Christian doctrines, such as the Incarnation, to engage with these harsh realities. This research investigates the contemporary theological significance of the Incarnation—the belief in God becoming human through Jesus Christ—as a means to comprehend and respond to human suffering within the Nigerian context. The main aim is to analyze how the Incarnation can foster hope, solidarity, and transformative initiatives to tackle Nigeria's socio-economic and political difficulties. Employing a theological and contextual approach, the study incorporates scriptural interpretation, doctrinal analysis, and socio-political examination. It also draws on insights from related disciplines, including sociology and political science, to provide a well-rounded perspective on the issues at hand. The findings indicate that the Incarnation demonstrate God's solidarity with human suffering, encourages compassionate involvement, and strengthens advocacy for justice. Additionally, it illustrates how the Nigerian church can embody the tenets of the Incarnation by engaging in holistic ministry, promoting reconciliation, and addressing systemic challenges through social advocacy. This research enhances understanding by presenting the Incarnation as a dual source of hope and a practical model for engagement, offering both theological and actionable insights aimed at alleviating suffering and fostering transformation in Nigeria
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Contemporary Theological Relevance of the Incarnation: Addressing Human Suffering in the Nigerian Context

AU  - David Luka Gofwan
Y1  - 2025/02/21
PY  - 2025
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AB  - Nigeria is confronted with profound challenges related to human suffering, primarily driven by poverty, insecurity, corruption, and systemic inequality. These pressing issues raise significant theological and practical questions, especially concerning the capacity of Christian doctrines, such as the Incarnation, to engage with these harsh realities. This research investigates the contemporary theological significance of the Incarnation—the belief in God becoming human through Jesus Christ—as a means to comprehend and respond to human suffering within the Nigerian context. The main aim is to analyze how the Incarnation can foster hope, solidarity, and transformative initiatives to tackle Nigeria's socio-economic and political difficulties. Employing a theological and contextual approach, the study incorporates scriptural interpretation, doctrinal analysis, and socio-political examination. It also draws on insights from related disciplines, including sociology and political science, to provide a well-rounded perspective on the issues at hand. The findings indicate that the Incarnation demonstrate God's solidarity with human suffering, encourages compassionate involvement, and strengthens advocacy for justice. Additionally, it illustrates how the Nigerian church can embody the tenets of the Incarnation by engaging in holistic ministry, promoting reconciliation, and addressing systemic challenges through social advocacy. This research enhances understanding by presenting the Incarnation as a dual source of hope and a practical model for engagement, offering both theological and actionable insights aimed at alleviating suffering and fostering transformation in Nigeria

VL  - 13
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Author Information

David Luka Gofwan

Theological Studies, ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos, Nigeria

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http://orcid.org/0009-0003-9888-3226

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APA Style

Gofwan, D. L. (2025). Contemporary Theological Relevance of the Incarnation: Addressing Human Suffering in the Nigerian Context. Humanities and Social Sciences, 13(1), 30-40. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14

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ACS Style

Gofwan, D. L. Contemporary Theological Relevance of the Incarnation: Addressing Human Suffering in the Nigerian Context. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2025, 13(1), 30-40. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14

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AMA Style

Gofwan DL. Contemporary Theological Relevance of the Incarnation: Addressing Human Suffering in the Nigerian Context. Humanit Soc Sci. 2025;13(1):30-40. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14,
  author = {David Luka Gofwan},
  title = {Contemporary Theological Relevance of the Incarnation: Addressing Human Suffering in the Nigerian Context
},
  journal = {Humanities and Social Sciences},
  volume = {13},
  number = {1},
  pages = {30-40},
  doi = {10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hss.20251301.14},
  abstract = {Nigeria is confronted with profound challenges related to human suffering, primarily driven by poverty, insecurity, corruption, and systemic inequality. These pressing issues raise significant theological and practical questions, especially concerning the capacity of Christian doctrines, such as the Incarnation, to engage with these harsh realities. This research investigates the contemporary theological significance of the Incarnation—the belief in God becoming human through Jesus Christ—as a means to comprehend and respond to human suffering within the Nigerian context. The main aim is to analyze how the Incarnation can foster hope, solidarity, and transformative initiatives to tackle Nigeria's socio-economic and political difficulties. Employing a theological and contextual approach, the study incorporates scriptural interpretation, doctrinal analysis, and socio-political examination. It also draws on insights from related disciplines, including sociology and political science, to provide a well-rounded perspective on the issues at hand. The findings indicate that the Incarnation demonstrate God's solidarity with human suffering, encourages compassionate involvement, and strengthens advocacy for justice. Additionally, it illustrates how the Nigerian church can embody the tenets of the Incarnation by engaging in holistic ministry, promoting reconciliation, and addressing systemic challenges through social advocacy. This research enhances understanding by presenting the Incarnation as a dual source of hope and a practical model for engagement, offering both theological and actionable insights aimed at alleviating suffering and fostering transformation in Nigeria
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Contemporary Theological Relevance of the Incarnation: Addressing Human Suffering in the Nigerian Context

AU  - David Luka Gofwan
Y1  - 2025/02/21
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14
T2  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JF  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JO  - Humanities and Social Sciences
SP  - 30
EP  - 40
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8184
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20251301.14
AB  - Nigeria is confronted with profound challenges related to human suffering, primarily driven by poverty, insecurity, corruption, and systemic inequality. These pressing issues raise significant theological and practical questions, especially concerning the capacity of Christian doctrines, such as the Incarnation, to engage with these harsh realities. This research investigates the contemporary theological significance of the Incarnation—the belief in God becoming human through Jesus Christ—as a means to comprehend and respond to human suffering within the Nigerian context. The main aim is to analyze how the Incarnation can foster hope, solidarity, and transformative initiatives to tackle Nigeria's socio-economic and political difficulties. Employing a theological and contextual approach, the study incorporates scriptural interpretation, doctrinal analysis, and socio-political examination. It also draws on insights from related disciplines, including sociology and political science, to provide a well-rounded perspective on the issues at hand. The findings indicate that the Incarnation demonstrate God's solidarity with human suffering, encourages compassionate involvement, and strengthens advocacy for justice. Additionally, it illustrates how the Nigerian church can embody the tenets of the Incarnation by engaging in holistic ministry, promoting reconciliation, and addressing systemic challenges through social advocacy. This research enhances understanding by presenting the Incarnation as a dual source of hope and a practical model for engagement, offering both theological and actionable insights aimed at alleviating suffering and fostering transformation in Nigeria

VL  - 13
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download