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Dr Godwin Adeboye
Faculty & African Regional Coordinator
adeboye.godwin@ocrpl.org
Specialty: Historical missiology, Christian-Muslim relations, African Biblical Hermeneutics & Philosophy
Short Biography
Dr Godwin Adeboye is a Nigerian theologian and interdisciplinary scholar with research interests in historical missiology, Islam, and African colonial legacies. He earned his PhD in Theology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, collaborating with the Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life (OCRPL). His doctoral work critically explored the intersection of Christian mission, Islamic presence, and colonial entanglements in Africa, contributing to emerging discourses in African missiological studies. He also holds a Master of Theology (MTh) from the University of Pretoria and OCRPL and a Master of Arts (MA) in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Ibadan with First Class Honours in Religious Studies, reflecting a strong academic foundation in Christian and Islamic traditions.
Dr Adeboye is a Langham Scholar and the author of Can a Christian be cursed? An African evangelical response to the problem of curses, published by Langham Publishing. The book has been widely reviewed and has stimulated critical conversations in African Christian theology, particularly around contextual mission practices, postcolonial critique, and inter-religious engagement. He has also published more than 20 academic and theological papers in international and national journals. His works are distinguished by its commitment to theological rigour, social relevance, and decolonial frameworks.
He currently serves on the Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life faculty, contributing to course development and teaching on the History of Christian-Muslim encounters. He is the winner of 2013 Does God exist essay competition organised in the United States.
Dr. Adeboye is passionate about empowering African scholars and faith leaders through transformative theological education. He continues to engage in writing, mentorship, and scholarly advocacy on matters at the intersection of religion, justice, and African public life. He is also the African Regional Coordinator for the Shepherd Academy, Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life. He serves as examiner and reviewer for some Universities and academic journals.
Research interests
- History of Christian-Muslim encounters, Missiology
- Ecological sustainability studies
- African Biblical hermeneutics and philosophy
Publications/ Journal Articles
a. Published Academic Papers (blind peer-reviewed)
1. Godwin O. Adeboye & Maniraj Sukdaven, 2024. “Theological progression in Muhammad’s preachings in Mecca and Medina” Pharos, Journal of Theology. Vol 105, issue 5, open access. Doi: 10.46222/pharosjot.105.521 University of Free State, South Africa.
2. Godwin O Adeboye, 2018. “Corruption as a Moral Evil: A Philosophical Analysis,” in Benson Igboin, (ed.) Corruption: A New Thinking in Reverse Order. Oyo: Ajayi Crowther University Press. Pp53-65.
3. Godwin O. Adeboye & H.A. Labeodan, 2019. “The Role of Women in Church Growth: A Case study of the Celestial Church of Christ,” in S.A. Fatokun (e tal) African Christianity in Local and Global Contexts.. Ibadan: Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan, pp 163-174.
4. Godwin O Adeboye, 2017. “Hobbesian State of Nature and the Quest for Social Order in Nigeria,” in A.B Ekanola, S.A. Odebunmi and B.R. Ojebuyi (eds.), Polity Debacle and the Burden of Being in Africa, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, pp683-709.
5. Godwin O. Adeboye & E.F. Taiwo, 2014. “Interpreting Archetypal Isis in the Ancient Religious Myth of Kingship from an African Feminist Ideological Perspective” ORITA: Ibadan Journal of Religious Studies, Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan, XLVI2, Pages 146-164.
6. Godwin O Adeboye, 2019. “Small Work, Big Money: The Implication of Nigerians’ Philosophy of Money to the On-going Anti-Corruption Campaign in Nigeria” in B.O Igboin (ed.), Akungba Akoko Journal of Religion and African Culture, Department of Religion and African Culture, Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State, Nigeria, Vol 6, no 2, July-December, 2018, pp 54-70.
7. Godwin O. Adeboye & S.D. Ajayi, “Despite the Increasingly-Loud ‘Religious Noises’ in Nigeria: Is there still any Change-potency in Nigerian Religions?” in Jacob K. Ayantayo e al (eds.), Journal of African Society for the Study of Sociology and Ethics of Religions, Vol 1 & 2, June 2017. Pages 159-182. Academic journal
8. Godwin O Adeboye, 2016. “Situating the Yoruba Concept of ‘Ori’ within the Soft- Deterministic Framework” in International Journal on Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol.6, No.7, 2016, pages 9-16. Academic journal- international
9. Godwin O. Adeboye, 2014 “Science and Faith: Enemies or Friends? in John N. Clayton (ed.), Pluralism in Astronomy, Does God Exist Journal, Vol 41 number 1, January/February 2014, pages 8-19. www.doesgodexist.org (2013). Open access based in USA
10. Godwin O. Adeboye, “Efficacy of Prayer in Modern Medicine: Finding an Integrative Science-Faith Relationship,” in John Carter (ed.) American Journal of Biblical Theology, Vol 1, no1, January-March, 2018, pages 66-75. Academic journal
11. Godwin O. Adeboye, “The Relevance of Aristotelian Golden Mean to Prosperity Theology Debate in Nigeria,” in John Carter (ed.) American Journal of Biblical Theology, Vol 1, no 2, April-June, 2018.
12. Godwin O. Adeboye, 2017. “The Philosophical Framework and Task of Theologizing,” Theology Project, Nigeria: ECWA Theological Seminary Igbaja, pp. 16-24.
13. Godwin O. Adeboye, 2017. “Theology as Science,” Theology Project, Nigeria: ECWA Theological Seminary Igbaja,. Pp 34-38. Book project
14. Godwin O. Adeboye, 2021. “Christian Mentors as Midwives? A Comparative Reflection on Socrates and J.B Lawal’s Relational Pedagogy,” Christian Theology, Mentorship and National Transformation. Nigeria: Research and Innovations, pp 1- 14.
15. Godwin O. Adebye, 2014. “An Exegetical Glimpse of Pauline Theology of Charismata and Sumpheron for Christian Ecumenism in Nigeria,” American Journal of Biblical Theology, in John Carter (ed.) American Journal of Biblical Theology
,www.biblicaltheology.com Academic journal based in the US
16. Godwin O. Adeboye, 2015. “A Critique of Open theists’ Solution to Divine Foreknowledge-Freewill Dilemma in the Light of Augustinian Freewill theory,” The Journal of Biblical Theology, edited by John Carter Vol 3, no 1, pp202-220 www.biblicaltheology.com.
17. Godwin O. Adeboye, 2021. “When mentorship goes sour: Biblical imperatives for difficulties in mentorship from Elisha-Gehazi Scenario,” Christian Theology, Mentorship, and National Transformation, published by Research and Innovation Department of ECWA Theological Seminary Igbaja. Pp662-670
18. Godwin O. Adeboye, 2013. “Old Testament Theology of War and Peace and Quest for Peace in Nigeria,” John Carter (ed.) American Journal of Biblical Theology,www.biblicaltheology.com
19. “Engaging contemporary media in evangelistic preaching” A chapter submitted as part of a textbook project of the African Homiletic Society, written in partnership with Rev Adesina Joshua, submitted to Langham Editorial Board, UK for review and publication, 2024
b. Published monograph/ Academic resources/ courses developed
1. “Can a Christian be cursed? An African Evangelical Response to Dilemma of Curses in Africa,” published by Langham, UK. 2023, blind, peer-reviewed
2. Understanding Islam for Christian Engagement- a course developed for Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life, now used for courses
3. Christian Theology and National Transformation, a 40-chaptered theological resource edited by Godwin Adeboye in 2022, published by the Research and Innovations department of ECWA Theological Seminary Igbaja, Nigeria
c. Special Intervention/ Theological interviews and reviews published for wider consumption
• “A review of Samuel Waje Kunhiyop: African Christian Theology” published on January 16, 2016, by The Pneuma Review: Journal of Ministry Resources and Theology-http://pneumareview.com/samuel-waje-kunhiyop-african-christian- theology/#comments
• “The Best Books for understanding Islam and connecting with Muslim Neighbours in Africa.” A literature review in which scholars across the globe were invited to nominate and review books useful for Christian scholars’ engagement of Islam. Godwin Adeboye was selected to represent Africa. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2023/12/best- books-christians-islam-muslims-africa-nigeria/
• “How Christians can break the stronghold of Curse-informed worldview” a Theological interview organised and published by Christianity Today based on a Theological monograph published by Godwin Adeboye- https://www.christianitytoday.com/2023/09/curses-africa-christians-family- generational/
• “When Boko Haram Survivors regret returning to their Christian communities” Christianity Today https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/12/boko-haram-chibok-girls-10-years-nigeria-church/. Published on December 17, 2024.
Google Scholar
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ZHVrBc4AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao