Sacrifice and Atonement in Biblical Theology: Reinterpreting Traditional Practices in Nigerian Christianity

• Author(s): Rev. Fr. Williams Peter Awoshiri, PhD
• Paper ID: 1710059
• Page: 208-217
• Published Date: 14-08-2025
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 9 Issue 2 August-2025

Abstract

The practice of sacrifice and atonement has historically held a central place in both Biblical theology and African traditional religious systems. However, within the context of Nigerian Christianity, these traditional practices have often been condemned or misunderstood, creating theological tension and cultural dissonance among adherents. This study addressed the problem of the disconnect between biblical teachings on sacrifice and atonement and the reinterpretation of traditional African religious expressions within Nigerian Christian theology. The objective of the study was to examine how sacrifice and atonement are conceptualised in biblical theology and how these themes could be reinterpreted in a way that affirms indigenous practices without compromising Christian doctrine. The study adopted a qualitative research design. Data were collected through documentary analysis of biblical texts, African theological writings, and ethnographic materials from selected Nigerian communities. The method of data analysis was thematic, using interpretive analysis grounded in contextual theology. Findings revealed that while biblical and traditional African perspectives on sacrifice and atonement differ in form and emphasis, both share common theological motifs such as reconciliation, purification, and communal restoration. The study found that Nigerian Christianity has often failed to engage these shared values constructively. It is recommended that theologians and church leaders develop a contextual theology that reinterprets traditional practices through a Christocentric lens, thereby fostering a more inclusive and culturally rooted Christian expression. The study concluded that a balanced reinterpretation of sacrifice and atonement could enhance theological relevance, preserve cultural identity, and deepen spiritual understanding in Nigerian Christianity.

Keywords

Sacrifice, Atonement, Contextual Theology, Nigerian Christianity, African Traditional Religion

Citations

IRE Journals:
Rev. Fr. Williams Peter Awoshiri, PhD "Sacrifice and Atonement in Biblical Theology: Reinterpreting Traditional Practices in Nigerian Christianity" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 2 2025 Page 208-217

IEEE:
Rev. Fr. Williams Peter Awoshiri, PhD "Sacrifice and Atonement in Biblical Theology: Reinterpreting Traditional Practices in Nigerian Christianity" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(2)