@article{CRSIJ26000282,
                  author = {Omotoso Micheal Olugbenga, Atowoju, Ayodele A., Oluwatoba Rotimi Paul},
                  title = {Contextualization, syncretism and the gospel among Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria: a biblical-intercultural study},
                  journal = {Cosmo Research and Science International Journal},
                  year = {2025},
                  volume = {2},
                  number = {1},
                  pages = {558-573},
                  issn = {3108-1584},
                  url = {https://cosmorsij.com/published/CRSIJ26000282.pdf},
                  abstract = {Indigenous Christian mission in Nigeria has achieved remarkable numerical growth and cultural penetration, particularly among ethno linguistic groups such as the Yoruba people of South-western Nigeria. However, this expansion has been accompanied by persistent theological challenges, especially in the areas of contextualization and syncretism. While contextualization seeks to communicate the gospel in culturally meaningful forms without compromising biblical truth, syncretism blends Christian faith with elements of African Traditional Religion (ATR), thereby undermining the uniqueness and sufficiency of Christ and Scripture. This article examines the conceptual boundaries between contextualization and syncretism and explores the theological, cultural, and pastoral factors that encourage syncretistic tendencies in Nigerian indigenous missions, with special focus on the Yoruba people of South-western Nigeria. The study adopts a qualitative approach that draws from biblical theology, musicological scholarship, personal observation, oral interviews, and selected empirical field data. The study identifies misconceptions of Christianity as a foreign religion, inadequate engagement with African metaphysical worldviews, weak teaching on Christian suffering and discipleship, and uncritical Africanization of Christianity as major incentives for syncretism. The article argues that authentic contextualization must be rooted in Christological fidelity and scriptural authority while affirming cultural identity. It proposes a biblically grounded framework for sustainable indigenous mission in Nigeria that seeks to maintain the integrity of the gospel while enabling Christian faith to be meaningfully expressed within Yoruba cultural contexts},
                  keywords = {Indigenous mission, contextualization, syncretism, Yoruba Christianity, African Traditional Religion, Nigerian Christianity},
                  month = {July}
        }