1 CHRISTOLOGIES OF NOLLYWOOD MOVIES: A THEOLOGICAL APPRAISAL AND PROPOSAL by Isuwa Y. Atsen, PhD Dean School of Postgraduate Studies Gindiri Theological Seminary, Gindiri, Plateau State, Nigeria Introduction The portrayal of Christ in the Nigerian movie industry (also known as Nollywood) calls for, or indeed, deserves some theological evaluation. This is because Nollywood is the third largest film industry in the world following only Hollywood and Bollywood in first and second respectively, meaning that it is the largest in Africa. The impact of Nollywood on the public perception of Nigerians and other Africans about a number of things is far-reaching. Some of these things include the image of the average Nigerian, the pervasive nature of corruption in Nigeria, the idea of wealth and being wealthy, the problem of witchcraft and/or juju related activities, and the unique expressions of African Christianity. At the center of the unique expressions of African Christianity in Nollywood movies is the portrayal of the image of Christ. While there are a number of studies on the local understanding of Christ in African Christianity represented in songs, prayers, and the various opinions of lay Christians (usually expressed in interviews granted to researchers), 1 the portrayal 1 For some examples of those who have carried out such research, see: Diane B. Stinton, Jesus of Africa: Voices of Contemporary African Christology (New York: Orbis Books, 2004); and Victor I. Ezigbo, Re-imagining African Christologies: Conversing with the Interpretations and Appropriations of Jesus Christ in African Christianity (Eugene: Pickwick Publications, 2010).