JORAS - Nigerian Journal of Religion and Society

The recognition that Nigeria is a very 'religious country' is expected to be of tremendous advantage based on the positive impact religion should have on the lives of people. If the adherents of the two major religions in Nigeria, namely, Christianity and Islam, which constitute at least 95% could take the common values contained in their sacred books as a vade mecum and allow these to function in the formation of their character, with mutual respect and understanding for one another, then Nigeria should be an enviable country. Ironically, despite the high level of 'religiosity' in Nigeria, the corresponding rate of evil perpetrated in all ramifications by many is an incomprehensible contradiction. This paper is from a Christian perspective, a biblical-pastoral approach. The paper makes a synchronic study of the Johannine concepts of 'Belief' and 'Witness'. It is a synchronic study in the sense of the biblical-exegetical method that seeks the unity of the bible as a unified whole, in contrast to the diachronic-exegetical method. On a second level, the paper is also contextual, having in mind the Nigerian context by seeking to address some societal and ethical issues. The paper is topical based on the fact that the Catholic Church celebrates during this period (Oct. 11, 2012-Nov. 24, 2013) the year of faith, so the call to intensify our faith and bear authentic witness to Jesus Christ cannot be overemphasized.

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