Crutial lessons from BBC investigation on TB Joshua
By Ngala Hansel
1 DON’T CHASE AFTER MIRACLES
It is true that as Africans, we like a sense of the mystical, the extraordinary. We what supernatural manifestations and that was what our witchdoctors, soothsayers and diviners did for us and how we trust them! However, let’s note that the Bible warns us that miracles are not a sign that someone is of God. Jesus told a crowd that was listening to Him “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? ‘ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:22-29). And let’s remember Simon the Sorcerer who astounded many with his magic and yet claimed that his power was from God (Acts 8:9-13). So because someone performs signs and wonders, it is not official that they are necessarily of God.
2 MIRACLES DO NOT BRING SALVATION
Preaching the Gospel is far more important than casting out demons, which is what today’s charismatic preachers are now focused on. The important thing is to point people to Christ by preaching the need for repentance and love for one another. Jesus told his disciples that they should not be excited because they drove out demons, but that they should be happy that their names are written in Heaven (Luke 10:20).
3 THE BBC IS AGAINST CHRISTIAN VALUES (OR PRO-LGBTQ)
It is not lost on me that the BBC has a liberal, leftist, woke agenda that celebrates homosexuality, transgenderism and other such sexual perversions which the Bible expressly warns against. As a journalist myself, I am very aware of the BBC’s push for pro-LGBTQ practices, often times dedicating whole segments to promoting homosexual values and so the fact that they as a liberal news organization decided to publish this (albeit true), is obvious that they are trying to discredit the faith and win more supporters for their cause. That is not to say that they are lying about what they said about T.B. Joshua, rather it means they are exploiting the failings of a Christian leader, to advance their own cause. They hope to have more African Christians leaving the church by the thousands after watching their documentary. Have you asked yourself why they didn’t focus on T.B. Joshua’s philantrophy instead? Why not talk about the thousands of people whom he sponsored in schools, opened businesses for etc? Because it won’t fit their narrative.
3 T.B. JOSHUA’S FALL IS A REMINDER THAT WE ALL CAN FALL INTO SEXUAL SIN
No wonder the Bible warns us that “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). This just means that we must guard ourselves from sexual sin because even the Pope can fall into it. Great men have fallen in sexual sin. David whom the Bible calls a man after God’s heart, fell woefully. Samson the strongest man fell too and what more of our generation where the internet, streaming services and mobile phones and apps, all constantly shove sensual content in our faces? If it is not music videos, it is women half-naked flaunting their bodies in the most disgusting way and it is easy for men (and women) to fall into this sin if they don’t stand firm in their faith.
4 DO NOT PUT YOUR MAN OF GOD ON A PEDESTAL
A lot of us in Africa revere our pastors and prophets. We put them on a pedestal and fear to question anything they say. We refuse to be like the Christians of Berea who “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Don’t be a sheepish Christian who swallows everything your “Papa”, “Daddy” or “Man of God” says and never questions anything IN LIGHT OF THE SCRIPTURES. Pray to God for a sound mind to rightly interpret the Words of Scripture and you may start noticing when your “Papa” is being a con artist (and many of them are). If you put your faith in a man, you’ll either keep defending him blindly or become very disappointed. Salvation is found in Christ alone and not in your church or “Papa”.
5 YOU CAN LEAVE A CHURCH THAT IS MANIPULATIVE
Some of us think that because I was born a Catholic, or Baptist or Methodist I will never leave my church. If you attend a particular congregation and it becomes clear that they are violating the Bible and shielding the leader even after you have complained about something (especially if you’re a woman who has been abused by the pastor/prophet), you are very well within your rights to leave that particular church and find a healthier environment where you can grow and heal.
6 CHARISMATIC OR “PERSONAL MINISTRY” CHURCHES HAVE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE
Most Charismatic churches never render accounts of church finances to their members, no account of leadership and no explanation of certain theological beliefs. Members are supposed to just swallow everything line, hook and sinker. This is not the model of Christianity. This is where the traditional denominations in Cameroon (such as Baptist, Catholic and Presbyterians) do much better because there is usually announcements about last Sunday’s offering that was collected and there is an explanation of how the funds will be used. Meetings help clarify how the church will operate but private ministries owned by self-appointed ‘prophets’ operate in secrecy. No transparency often leads to this gross violation of power as we have seen in the case of T.B Joshua. Of course, there are cases of sexual abuse and sin in all other churches but it seems the trend is more common with individually-run churches.
In conclusion, I will just warn each of us to focus our faith on Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Stop chasing after miracles if you have been the type of Christian who loves this. Read your Bible, stay in your church and stop going for deliverance and rather repent. There is nothing wrong with you, don’t let people manipulate you and use you for the money they can make from you. Have a healthy relationship with Christ and whatever your MOG says, look to see if it aligns with what the Bible says.
