Veritatis Gaudium: Multidisciplinary Journal of Postgraduate Studies

Nigeria's contemporary security and socio-economic crises have profoundly affected marriage and family life, threatening the stability of the institution that serves as the foundation of both society and the Church. This article explores the impact of these challenges on marriage and family life within the Nigerian context from a biblical and theological perspective. This study employs a conceptual-theological methodology with a critical review of contemporary theological literature and recent Nigerian studies on insecurity, economic hardship, and family life. It further draws on selected contemporary reports of insecurity to illustrate the practical realities confronting Nigerian families. The study argues that insecurity and economic hardship have contributed to marital conflict, family separation, and grief, emotional and psychological distress, parenting challenges, and weakened family cohesion. Beyond identifying these challenges, the article demonstrates that Scripture presents marriage and family as covenantal institutions sustained by mutual love, faithfulness, resilience, and dependence on God even in times of adversity. It further contends that the Church has a theological responsibility to provide pastoral care, trauma support, and practical assistance to vulnerable families, while government bears a moral responsibility before God to protect human life and uphold justice. The article contends that strengthening marriage and family life in Nigeria requires collaborative efforts involving Christian families, churches, theological institutions, civil society, and government. By integrating biblical theology with contemporary Nigerian realities, this study contributes to ongoing theological discourse on family resilience and offers practical insights for sustaining Christian families amid insecurity and socio-economic hardship.

Open Full Text (PDF)