Health
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Reflections on Body Theology
Bodies matter. They shape how we experience life—through our senses, movements, and our interactions with the world. Yet, our bodies are frequently sites of inequality and violence. In 2025, state-sanctioned war and genocide (in Palestine and Ukraine to name just two places) targets and seeks to erase the bodies of entire communities, both physically and culturally. The COVID-19 pandemic has left lasting physical, mental, and societal scars, with millions facing health challenges like long COVID, deepening inequalities, and strained healthcare systems. Physical and sexual violence, especially gender-based violence, remains a global public health crisis. The bodies of Black people, ethnic minorities, immigrants, and refugees are still treated as though they…
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“We’re people, not parts of people”: Severance, trauma, and the stories our bodies tell
*Spoilers for Severance Series 2 ahead* I’ve just finished watching the second series of Severance, Apple TV’s psychological work-place thriller. It centres on the lives of employees at Lumon Industries, a biotechnology company where some workers have undergone a medical procedure, the titular “severance.” Once a chip has been implanted in their brains, a strict division is created between their professional and personal lives. Employees have no memory of their personal life while at work, and no awareness of their work life outside of the office. As a result, each individual essentially splits into two separate personas: the “innie,” confined to the workplace, and the “outie,” who experiences life beyond…
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Between True Hope and Empty Promises: Navigating Miraculous Claims in Pentecostal Leadership
Introduction “The language of hope and the ethos of amazement have been partly forfeited because they are an embarrassment. The language of hope and the ethos of amazement have been partly squelched because they are a threat.”[1] Walter Brueggermann’s above statement suggests today’s culture stifles expressions of hope and wonder, hindering growth and appreciation for life. His stance resonates with this essay, which explores the impact of false hope perpetuated by some Pentecostal pastors in Nigeria on pastoral practice and congregational life. This issue presents a significant ethical and existential dilemma within the movement. As Ebenezer Obadare illustrates in Pastoral Power, Clerical State, bereaved families often seek miraculous interventions from…
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Abortion, the Brazilian Supreme Court and the National Conference of Brazil’s Bishops
In these times of troubled seas, there is no respite, no possibility of hiding from conflicts, of not falling into the abyss of accusations and divisions, especially when confronted with certain problems that life insists on presenting to us. Dialogue, mutual understanding, real solidarity and love for our neighbour are at risk of becoming empty words, especially in the mouths of those who consider themselves to be their representatives. Forgive me, readers, for insisting on the same theme I addressed weeks ago.[1] New chapters of this old story have taken place, new divisions have arisen even within the CNBB (National Conference of Brazil’s Bishops). Disagreements and different opinions have manifested…
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Faith, Pain, and Healing
A Journey with Stage Four Endometriosis through the Lens of Practical Theology Introduction My spirituality and religious beliefs played a major role in my coping with endometriosis and helped me navigate this complex health condition. My journey with endometriosis using Osmer’s four core tasks of practical theology reflects on the role of spirituality, faith communities and healthcare professionals in Nigeria, the limitations of the healthcare system and the benefit of increased awareness and advocacy for endometriosis. Endometriosis happens when endometrial tissue is present outside the uterus, resulting in symptoms (Usmani, 2022) of pain chronic pain such as dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation, dyspareunia or pain during sexual intercourse, chronic pelvic pain…
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The Lord’s Supper and Eating Disorders
Introduction and Definitions Taking the Lord’s Supper is a duty of all Christians. However, many Christians have eating disorders which inhibit them. This raises vital pastoral issues which are considered a little here. I am a pastor who has had to work through this with a few Christians. Before a pastor, I was a hospital pharmacist on gastro-intestinal surgical wards. This providence has given me additional perspectives. By ‘eating disorders’ I do not limit the discussion to the psychological conditions which may first spring to mind. Anorexia, orthorexia, bulimia and others are included but what follows applies more pertinently to physical conditions.[1] Birth defects, disease, surgery and degrees of disability…
