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“I pray that … Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:16–17). These biblical words have shaped my academic vocation as a scholar of World Christianity and my involvement in training Christian leaders in Nigeria. Situated within the Epistle’s vision of the church’s diversity-in-unity, this biblical passage has also deepened my commitment to advocating for intercultural engagement.
World Christianity examines the diverse cultural and historical expressions of the Christian faith while also attending to the ongoing interconnectedness of Christian communities across the globe. I use the terms “World Christianity” and “Global Christianity” interchangeably.
Multicultural character, intercultural aspiration
The broader context of the phrase “rooted and grounded in love” evokes a call to embrace both Christianity’s multicultural character and its intercultural aspiration. With respect to the church, multiculturalism emphasizes diversity within the bounds of a shared allegiance, while interculturalism emphasizes a shared commitment that emerges through dialogue among diverse communities. Christians should heed this invitation whenever opportunities arise to discuss questions and dilemmas surrounding collective Christian identity amid the faith’s diverse expressions.
Undertaking this demanding task requires recognizing that diversity is the bedrock of Christian unity. In this sense, “unity” denotes Christians’ shared commitment to the vision of Jesus Christ for life in relationship with God. We cannot speak meaningfully of Christian unity without affirming the freedom of each local church to articulate its understanding of the faith in light of its cultural resources and contextual realities.
The Epistle to the Ephesians narrates the coming together of the Jewish and Hellenistic followers of Jesus Christ in a shared life of communal devotion. Andrew Walls describes this momentous convergence as “the Ephesian moment” (Walls, 2002, p. 78). As Walls reminds us, this Ephesian moment was brief in its earliest occurrence. In our era, by contrast, it “has come again, and in a richer mode than has ever occurred since the first century.” This resurgence has taken place through cross-cultural interactions. Such openness to the cultures of the world, however, inevitably generates a persistent tension in how Christian identity is imagined and embodied.
Christian diversity is the primary principle upon which ecclesial unity is built. Jesus Christ prayed that His many followers would become one (John 17:21–24). The essence of this prayer is not the multiplication of a single reality into a cluster of silos. Rather, it summons diverse communities to commit themselves to their shared confession of Jesus as Lord and to contribute their distinctive experiences toward the enrichment of their common devotion to him.
Remaining open
How, then, might a scholar of World Christianity approach the reality of Christian witness in a manner that preserves the spirit of the Ephesian moment—difference held together by a shared communal devotion to Jesus Christ? Whatever else it may entail, it does not include showing contempt for the traditions of other Christians under the guise of protecting one’s ecclesial traditions and practices. Rather, it requires openness to learning from the insights emerging within different Christian communities. This may be why the Epistle’s author goes out of his way to emphasize the necessity of pursuing knowledge of the triune God together “with all the saints” (Ephesians 3:18).
I often receive questions about how to deal effectively with the negative effects of Christian diversity, such as conflicting doctrines and practices. Members of the African Indigenous Churches (AICs), for instance, may express their sense of holiness by wearing white clothing and entering their sanctuaries barefoot. An Evangelical community in Canada may insist that personal holiness cannot be measured by one’s physical appearance, but rather by accepting and relying on Jesus’ holiness and sanctifying work.
The best way to address the negative effects of ecclesial diversity does not lie in a Christendom mentality rooted in colonialism—that is, the imposition of a particular vision of Christianity upon all cultures. Nor would the formation of multicultural silos as an ultimate goal constitute an adequate resolution. Rather, Christians can most constructively respond by enlisting the unique knowledge and insights of diverse communities to expand the scope of our shared devotion to Jesus Christ.
Practically speaking
An intercultural response must properly account for the limitations and parochiality of our theological visions, while also drawing upon the theological insights of other Christians whose cultural contexts differ from our own. The mission of the Center for Research in Global Christianity (C.R.G.C.), which I founded several years ago, is to promote intercultural engagement among Christian communities in Nigeria.
Every two years, C.R.G.C. convenes leaders from nearly all Christian traditions for a full-day conference focused on the pressing needs of Nigerian Christians. The primary aim of this gathering is to foster dialogue, identify shared challenges, and discern the distinct contributions each tradition can offer in addressing them. Participants are encouraged to draw deeply from the wells of their own traditions while learning from one another. Despite their diverse ecclesial cultures, they pursue a common purpose: working together to address the issues essential to the wholeness and flourishing of their communities.
This work is not without its difficulties. Indeed, moving from multicultural compartmentalization to genuine intercultural collaboration is an inherently complex and often untidy process. Yet the benefits far outweigh the challenges.
The complexity of the topics explored at these conferences further contributes to this challenge. Nevertheless, they are worth engaging, given their direct impact on the spiritual and physical well-being of Christians and their role in shaping the landscape of Nigerian Christianity. For example, many attendees at the 2023 conference were shocked to learn about the toll of persecution on churches in northern Nigeria. One speaker, a Christian from the region, shared firsthand insights into the daily struggles endured by local communities.
From persecution and Christian witness, to poverty, failing government policies, and insecurity within a teetering public square, addressing these concerns demands the collaboration and contribution of diverse Christian churches.
References
Walls, A. F. “The Ephesian Moment: At a Crossroads in Christian History.”
In The Cross-Cultural Process in Christian History (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2002).
