Christians’ Response to the Covid – 19 Pandemic in the Light of the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25 – 37)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic struck and shocked the world, overwhelming the health, social, economic and religious spaces of the world. The varied effects of the pandemic also came with its attendant varied responses with Nigeria included. Scholars and several authors have researched the consequences and responses of both individuals and governments to the COVID-19 pandemic but have not focused their attention on the Christians’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria in the context of the neighbourliness concept of the parable  of the Good Samaritan. Therefore, this paper, leaning on Taylor’s tend and befriend theory of connectedness and support, presents a  concise framework of the Christian response to the COVID-19 pandemic vis-àvis the ascription of the “love your neighbour” proposition  of Jesus in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The paper employs analytical methods and relies on primary data sourced  from the biblical text (Luke 10: 25 - 37) and secondary sources consisting of official media reports, and published scholarly articles on the  pandemic in both online and offline media channels. The responses of the church in Nigeria included both welfarist and non-welfarist  actions. The paper recommends that Christians cum the church should focus more on offering financial and material help to members  and non-members alike to continue to mitigate the socioeconomic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.