Over the weekend, as Nigerians mourned actor and comedian John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, a Facebook post by a pastor highlighted the distorted and growing brand of Christianity that is spreading in Nigeria.
Using the photos of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, and Mr. Ibu, the man with the profile name “Pastor Fortune Makarios”, posted on Saturday, March 2, 2024:
“The man on the left is a pastor and today he is celebrating his 82nd birthday (sic).
“The brother on the right is an actor and he just died today at 62.
“What does that tell you?”
“Use your life to serve GOD.
“TIMELESS DEATH SHALL NOT BE YOUR PORTION IN JESUS NAME. »
When he received backlash for this post, he added: “If you like to insult me for speaking the truth, but you cannot change the truth, those who truly serve God in their lives like Papa Adeboye cannot die prematurely (sic). My name is Pastor Fortune, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32.”
Despite all the examples shown to him to prove that his view is anti-Christian, the man stuck to his argument by asserting the raw truth of the Bible. Interestingly, he did not cite the Christian teaching that those who truly serve God as Christians cannot die prematurely. The irony of his post was that in March 2021, Pastor Adeboye’s eldest surviving son – Pastor Dare Adeboye – died at the age of 42. In 2005, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya died in a Sosoliso Airlines plane crash at the age of 45. In 1998, Bishop Benson Idahosa, one of the pioneers of Pentecostalism in Nigeria, died at the age of 59. In 2014, popular Bahamian televangelist Dr. Myles Munroe died in a plane crash at the age of 60. Many other notable Christian pastors and ministers have died prematurely and even tragically.
But more importantly, the founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ, died at the estimated age of 33. What could be more premature than what is supposed to be the prime of life? But no wise Christian describes this as premature, because the teaching of Christianity is not about duration but about quality. Just like Jesus, virtually all of his apostles died prematurely and even tragically: killed for their faith. Christianity does not teach that longevity is the reward for holiness. Rather, it teaches that the ultimate goal of Christians is eternal life in heaven after their life on earth.
However, many pastors in Nigeria have introduced a more practical variation of this basic Christian teaching, with the primary emphasis being on wealth and enjoyment of the good life on earth. This is supported by the regular quotation of isolated passages from the Old Testament, without regard to context. In an effort to get people to give more and more money to them, many church leaders have turned Christianity upside down by using fear-mongering to routinely send the false message that as long as you make offerings and tithe , you will have a perfect income. health (free of disease), long life, abundant wealth, incredible success in your career, no armed robbery, no kidnapping, no accidents, etc., which is contrary to the message of salvation that Jesus Christ focused and gave to his disciples the pure truth: “In this world you will have trouble. But rest assured! I have conquered the world. (John 16:33b).
Furthermore, contrary to the assertion of many followers of older churches that this twisted, manipulative, transactional teaching is only found in newer churches, commonly referred to as Pentecostal churches, this applies to all types of churches. This doesn’t just happen in cities either. If you visit the hinterland, you will still see many churches whose pastors or priests use all kinds of tactics to defraud their faithful. Many leaders in different parishes across the country are under immense pressure from their superiors (bishops or general overseers) to meet their monthly financial goals, in the same way that bank agencies do. Those who fail to meet the target are punished by being sent to parishes deemed “less juicy” or “more problematic”. Some are even fired for failing to “grow the Church.”
The only difference between more established churches and Pentecostals is that Pentecostal churches generally have an identifiable leader and founder, who is not accountable to anyone. This makes their leaders more brazen, which is why it is warned that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Additionally, most Pentecostal churches are more media hungry, exposing everything they do to public view. If cameras are sent to some parishes of the oldest churches located in the hinterland, people will be shocked by what is being done in the name of a church service, a crusade or a Bible course.
The level of distorted, manipulative, transactional and soulless Christianity that has been infused into many people over the years by some of those who call themselves pastors, prophets and ministers of God is not only shocking but embarrassing. This situation has been exacerbated by the deterioration of the economic and security situation in Nigeria. The more people are besieged by situations such as rampant inflation (which makes it difficult to meet basic needs), kidnappings for ransom, and wanton killings, the more they place their last hope in religion. This makes it easier for them to believe any message promising an instant solution. And given that they are regularly threatened that any disobedience or criticism of the word of a minister of God is a grave sin with quotes such as “obedience is better than sacrifice” and “touch not my anointed and do no harm to my prophet,” they are afraid to question what they are told.
Ironically, religious leaders who propagate this false message that Christianity guarantees long life, wealth and freedom from problems do not explain to their followers why non-Christian countries like Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong in China generally have very high life expectancy figures. over 80 years old, while Nigeria (with 54 years) is generally among the three countries with the lowest life expectancy.
Likewise, they also fail to explain why most of the richest men in the world are not Christians or even believe in God, including the man who founded Facebook where he posted this inhumane message. Additionally, why do the United States, China, and India have the highest number of billionaires?
Christians should not believe any human being who tells them that if they give a certain amount of money to the Church they will become rich, or will not die in the covenant year, or will not cope to illnesses, tragedies or problems. The only thing a Christian should be certain of in this world is the hope of eternal life. Jesus said, “I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). This abundant life is not on earth here.
Paul said, “At this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutalized, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we bear it; when we are slandered, we respond kindly. Until now we have become the scum of the earth, the filth of the world” (1 Corinthians 4:11-13). This happened to those who worked directly with Jesus Christ.
Being a Christian or worshiping God does not guarantee anything on earth. It does not guarantee that you will not die of cancer, heart attack, COVID-19, plane crash, car crash, stray bullet, or disaster natural. This does not guarantee immunity from business misfortunes. Christianity is not an Eldorado or a utopia where you have a smooth, trouble-free journey once you pay your tithe, give your offerings, or sow a seed.
This is the message that many pastors have abandoned for a new message that brings them money and power. And this creates even more desperate citizens who have no qualms about how they or others make money, worsening insecurity in the country.
– X: @BrandAzuka
