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  • Meet Daysman Oyakhilome: Innovator, Leader, and Pastor Chris’ Nephew & Protégé

    Meet Daysman Oyakhilome: Innovator, Leader, and Pastor Chris’ Nephew & Protégé

    Many know him as Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s nephew, but what truly defines Daysman Woghiren Oyakhilome is his unwavering desire to fulfill his unique purpose.

    In the Christian ministry world, some names command attention for their deep legacy, while others rise by crafting a new path grounded in vision, faith, and innovation. Daysman Woghiren Oyakhilome, known to many as a creative powerhouse and bold youth leader, is among the few who embody both.

    As a member of the globally renowned Oyakhilome family, he’s often referred to in relation to his famous uncle. Yet, the journey of this young visionary reveals a story that stands powerfully on its own. Rather than remaining in the shadow of legacy, Daysman has emerged as a beacon for a new generation, bridging faith and creativity in ways that continue to impact millions.

    The Early Sparks of Purpose

    Born into a spiritually rich and mission-driven environment, Daysman was surrounded from childhood by voices of faith and leadership. His mother, Evangelist Kathy Woghiren, is the Director of the LoveWorld Music and Arts Ministry, a pioneering force in gospel music. His uncle, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has inspired hundreds of millions globally through his teachings, crusades, and Healing Streams Live Healing Services.

    But what sets Pastor Chris’ nephew apart is how he has internalized these influences and transformed them into a mission tailored for his own generation.

    He showed early interest in storytelling, media production, and design—unusual passions for someone raised in traditional church spaces. Instead of sidelining these gifts, he channeled them into an extraordinary ministry path, blending animation, visual media, and the Gospel.

    By his early twenties, he had already co-founded Carel Films, a groundbreaking Christian animation and media production company responsible for internationally acclaimed gospel content tailored for children and youth.

    A Champion of Digital Evangelism

    In an era where digital platforms shape culture, Daysman Oyakhilome is one of the most compelling voices in the digital evangelism space. He doesn’t just preach with words, he tells stories that resonate with the language of this generation.

    Through animated Bible stories, short films, creative documentaries, and social media campaigns, Daysman has helped reintroduce timeless biblical truths in fresh formats. His goal? To make God’s Word captivating, relatable, and easily accessible.

    Carel Films has been instrumental in the success of countless LoveWorld outreach initiatives. Animated series such as Power Kids, Super Kids Adventures, and other youth-centered content have reached thousands of households. These productions are not only entertaining but spiritually enriching, effectively discipling young minds across the globe.

    Building Africa’s Next Generation of Leaders

    Another defining aspect of Pastor Chris’ nephew’s impact is his role in shaping Africa’s future through leadership development. A strong supporter of the Future Africa Leaders’ Foundation (FALF)—an initiative started by Pastor Chris to raise and equip the continent’s young change-makers; Daysman has contributed directly to mentoring emerging voices from across Africa.

    FALF annually identifies and empowers young Africans making exceptional contributions in governance, education, community health, and entrepreneurship. As part of the core team, he doesn’t just serve administratively—he inspires, speaks, and shares principles of godly leadership that young Africans can implement in their own countries.

    In 2021, he helped lead one of FALF’s largest mentorship campaigns, where hundreds of young people from nations like Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, and South Africa received training in ethical leadership, communication, and purpose discovery.

    His message is always the same: Don’t wait for tomorrow—start changing your world today.

    Creative Vision Meets Faithful Service

    Despite his youth, Mr Woghiren Oyakhilome’s resume is anything but ordinary. His contributions have earned him awards and accolades, including LoveWorld’s prestigious “Worthy Ambassador Award” and several youth leadership honors.

    But perhaps his most admirable trait is his humility. He often deflects praise, pointing instead to the values instilled in him by his family, his mentor Pastor Chris, and the Word of God.

    He once shared in a youth summit, “Greatness doesn’t come from titles or applause. It comes from how much you love and serve.”

    This balance between creative brilliance and servant leadership has earned him the respect of both peers and senior figures in ministry. He is not driven by celebrity status or public recognition, but by a sense of divine assignment.

    When Creativity Becomes Ministry

    In today’s fast-paced, image-driven world, many young creatives seek success by following trends. Pastor Chris’ nephew, however, has set himself apart by creating culture instead of copying it.

    His animations, short films, and youth events are imbued with a purpose far beyond entertainment—they are spiritual seeds.

    Through platforms like LoveWorld Next and LoveWorld Innovations, he collaborates with other young leaders to introduce new ministry models that cater to digital natives. Livestream-based events, virtual conferences, gamified learning experiences, and augmented reality Gospel apps are just a few of the forward-thinking tools his team is developing.

    One of his most recent projects involved launching a youth challenge to create TikTok-style Bible content—reaching over 2 million young people in just three weeks.

    Navigating Setbacks with Grace

    Every great story has its valleys, and Daysman Woghiren Oyakhilome’s journey has not been without moments of personal refinement. In 2022, he temporarily stepped away from the limelight and some leadership roles to focus on spiritual alignment and personal growth.

    The decision, made under the guidance of LoveWorld’s leadership, wasn’t seen as a scandal, but as a demonstration of accountability and maturity.

    He later returned with even more clarity and focus, teaching youth the value of discipline, mentorship, and consistency.

    This phase of his life served as a lesson to many: that even those in leadership must sometimes pause, reflect, and grow.

    What Lies Ahead for Pastor Chris’ Nephew

    Looking ahead, Daysman shows no signs of slowing down. His calendar is packed with global youth conferences, media production campaigns, and faith-based innovation projects.

    He’s also passionate about education, working on launching a digital creative institute where Christian youth can learn skills like animation, film editing, and social media strategy—all while being rooted in God’s Word.

    His dream is to raise “a generation of storytellers” who will carry the Gospel to every culture and continent through modern channels.

    As he continues to develop spiritually and creatively, many see him as a prototype of what the 21st-century Christian leader can be: culturally relevant, deeply rooted in Scripture, and committed to the local and global Church.

    More Than a Famous Relative

    While many know him as Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s nephew, what truly defines him is his unwavering desire to fulfill his unique purpose.

    He’s not just a nephew. He’s a messenger. A builder. A spark in a generation ready to blaze new trails.

    His journey offers inspiration for every young person wondering if they can merge faith with creativity, purpose with influence, and innovation with holiness.

    As he continues to serve, grow, and lead, it becomes clearer: the future of ministry is not only in pulpits but also in studios, on screens, and in stories; and Daysman Oyakhilome is leading the way.

  • Prominent Christian leaders raise funds for insecurity victims in Northern Nigeria

    Prominent Christian leaders raise funds for insecurity victims in Northern Nigeria

    Some prominent  Christian leaders, including Pastor Yomi Kasali, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Bishop Mike Okonkwo of TREM, Rev. Yusuf Biniyat, and Prophet Isa el Buba among others on Monday night, attended a concert to raise funds for victims of insurgency in Northern Nigeria.

    NAN reports that the concert, organised by the  Foundation of Truth Assembly (FOTA)  Church in Lagos , held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.

    The concert, which kicked off at about 5 p.m, ended at about 11.40 p.m.

    The concert was aimed at  garnering sympathy  and creating awareness on the plight of  victims of insurgency in the Northern region.

    The Christian leaders used the event to seek for ways to  assist the victims.

    The concert also had in attendance, some widows from the northern region, who narrated how they lost their husbands to  attacks and the harsh reality they faced,  taking  care of the children alone..

    The evening concert featured music performances by prominent Nigerian gospel artistes, including Mike Abdul, Kaestring, Abbey Ojomu, Wisdom Chigozie and others,  who rendered songs to stir state actors to end insurgency in the country.

    Speaking at the  event, the Convener, who doubles as the Senior Pastor of FOTA, Kasali, said that Christians in the North needed the empathy of their counterparts in the South to keep faith.

    According to him,  the polarisation of the body of Christ in the country by politicians,  after the 2015 general  elections,  contributed to some of the insecurity crisis in the country.

    “It is regrettable that some Christians  remain aloof of their responsibilities toward  their brethren in the north.

    “It is no longer fashionable to remain on the fence but to take a step to aid those who had lost their bread winners because of ongoing insurgency and banditry  in the north.

    “We have taken measures to raise funds to ensure that most families/victims  are catered for. The children who lost their fathers will go back to school, feed and get  medicare through the funds.

    “We cannot do beyond this as a body but we will continue to  pray that this challenge will be halted soon,” he said.

    Biniyat, leader of the northern delegate, urged people to come to the aid of victims with  relief materials  and society rebuilding schemes.

    Also speaking, Buba, gave a gory tale of how communities were constantly attacked  by bandits/insurgents.

    ”We need strong  support of our brethren not just sympathy  to restore peace in the  region,” he said.

    The cleric  said that the northern region  had lost more than 200 people  in the last two weeks to insurgent attacks.

    Similarly, Oritsejafor, regretted the bloodshed, and urged churches to support  FOTA’s  drive for  assistance to  the victims.

    He  urged  the people to support governments’s efforts in defending the region.

  • Christian rock stars and superstars – By Femi Aribisala

    Christian rock stars and superstars – By Femi Aribisala

    Churches now do telemarketing surveys, asking: “What would you like in a church?” In effect, many churches are made to measure, according to the greatest demand and not according to God’s prescriptions.

    Some pastors even go further and play it safe. They have surveys asking our members what kind of messages they would like to hear. This is a standard operating procedure in the world of business marketing. You find out what your potential customers want, and you give it to them. But it is inappropriate for the kingdom of God, which is based on the will of our Father in heaven.

    The rock of the rock star is not the Rock of Ages.

    The modern-day pastor is determined to change man’s perception of God and to make Him more desirable and appealing to the flesh, all in the interest of expeditious church growth. The flesh hates holiness, so, many pastors do all they can to make the church more like the world. Frankly, holiness is hard on the numbers and has a way of annoying the ambitious and offending the profane.

    Instead of hating evil, as scripture commands (Psalm 97:10), today’s Christians are being taught just the opposite: to hate holiness. This is achieved by zealously removing from churches anything that encourages fear, respect, reverence, and awe toward the Almighty.

    The trend is now towards promoting a casual, even cavalier attitude and atmosphere in and around churches to make people feel more comfortable and relaxed. The truth, however, is that we cannot entertain men into the kingdom: but we can convict them.

    Churches are now the jack of all trades. They use such non-spiritual activities as gymnastics, rock n roll, comedians, and a host of other gimmicks to entertain their congregation. The church service is often a carefully crafted and choreographed production designed to please and impress men and not God. Many churches put on shows with worldly celebrities to increase their numbers.

    Now we see the next logical step in the process of marketing the church to the world, offer a free inducement to get them into your establishment. Put on a show, offer a free trial, give away something of value, and entice them with things to get them in the door.

    Today it is a regular practice for churches to offer some sort of inducement for newcomers. In one American church, they offered to pay for a portion of the visitor’s petrol in exchange for visiting the church. Another preacher offered non-members a certain amount of money for just sitting through a Sunday morning service.

    I suppose you might call this “avant-garde evangelism.”

    That is entertainment

    I walked into the parish of a major Lagos church for the very first time and was surprised to hear the choir playing the theme song from the blockbuster movie “Mission Impossible III.” Do not get me wrong; the choir was excellent. But you start to wonder if you are not actually at a pop concert as opposed to a church.

    Another church in Anderson, South Carolina (U.S.A.) even upped the ante. It was reported that they started a church service with the song “Brick House” by the Commodores. Who could blame them? After all, they were purpose-driven, determined to attract the world.

    Just take a look at some of the words of the song and judge for yourself whether it agrees with the virtues of Jesus Christ:

    She knows she got everything
    a woman needs to get a man, yeah.
    How can she use, the things she use
    36-24-36, what a winning hand!

    The clothes she wears, the sexy ways,
    make an old man wish for younger days
    She knows she’s built and knows how to please
    Sure enough to knock a man to his knees

    How in heaven’s name can anyone think such a song is appropriate in a church of all places? But then churches are no longer what they used to be.

    According to The Telegraph, the pastor of a big church in Kyiv, Ukraine encourages his congregants to “shake their booty and praise the Lord.” Reporting on one of his services, the newspaper observes that:

    “As he prepared to make a grand entrance, the choirgirls shook their pompoms, the disco lights started to flash, and a fanfare sounded. The lights cut out, and (he) emerged from a shroud of dry ice. Children holding flags of the world wafted around him and the choir bellowed ‘Sanctus!’”

    What exactly is happening here? Is it a worship service or a rock concert? Is Christ the bright morning star or is the pastor the superstar? I dare say some churches have gone astray because of their preoccupation with attracting and retaining new members.

    Babylonian songs

    In the single-minded pursuit of size and numerical growth, new-generation churches have reconfigured the church service into a show business where men come to be entertained on Sundays for the “gate fee” of an offering. The thinking is that by spiritualising popular music, the church becomes more attractive to unbelievers.

    The danger in this approach is that the modern church becomes increasingly worldly.

    The playing of secular music in churches does not facilitate the conversion of the lost. Indeed, music is never used in scripture as a means of reaching the lost. Instead, music is primarily used as a means of reaching God, because the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. (Psalm 22:3).

    God is not likely to be reached through the “urban contemporary gospel music.” Jesus said to the Samaritan woman: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24).

    God’s mechanism for reaching the lost is through preaching. Jesus directs His disciples to: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). He does not say we should go into the world and organise beautiful concerts.

    But while the gospel may no longer be preached in many churches today, they certainly strive to play good popular music that is very attractive to the people.

     “Give Jesus a wiper!”

     Christian pop and rap

     Is it appropriate to recast popular secular songs into Christian ones by changing the lyrics?

     I do not think so.

    Worldly music is inappropriate for conversion into “gospel” music. Jesus says: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6).

    James asks rhetorically: “Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus, no spring yields both salt water and fresh.” (James 3:12).

    There is a spirit that holds the copyright to every song we sing. Changing the lyrics does not change the copyright. This means a worldly song cannot be converted into a godly song. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refused to bow down to a god worshipped “in symphony with all kinds of music.” (Daniel 3:14-18).

     Rock music, for example, is naturally wild; designed to stimulate the flesh. This makes it inappropriate for worship. Indeed, the rock of the rockstar is not the Rock of Ages. Moses says: “Their rock is not like our Rock.” (Deuteronomy 32:31).

    Rap music is also vulgar and fleshly. At its most fundamental, it is characterised by foul language, and videos glorifying pimps and “bitches.” These types of music cannot be converted into spiritual music because of what Jesus calls the “good fruit” principle: “Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.” (Matthew 7:17-18).

    Rap music emphasises the drums. Spiritual songs, on the other hand, emphasise the melody as opposed to the beat. (Psalm 33:2; Isaiah 51:3). Indeed, the Bible makes no mention anywhere of drums.

    New songs

    Christian songs should be “new songs;” not reworked popular songs. New creatures should sing new songs, not the same old songs we were singing when we were still in the world.

    The psalmist says: “He has put a new song in my mouth- praise to our God.” (Psalm 40:3). He enjoins believers repeatedly to: “Sing unto the LORD a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints.” (Psalm 149:1). “Sing to Him a new song; play skilfully with a shout of joy.” (Psalm 33:3).

    If church music appeals to the world, then it must be unacceptable to God. Jesus says: “What is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15). The world is not interested in music that genuinely glorifies the Lord. Therefore, many so-called Christian artists end up laundering their lyrics to give them a “cross-over” appeal.

    After the children of Israel were carried into captivity, the Babylonians requested them to sing for sport. But they refused to sing the Lord’s song in a strange land. (Psalm 137:4). Observe that it is the Lord’s song and not the world’s song. It is not even Israel’s song.

    Christian songs are supposed to be unto the Lord and not unto men. Christian music should be Godward and not manward. The psalmist says we are to sing praises “to the Lord.” (Psalm 9:11). Christian music should glorify God, as opposed to entertaining men.

    Saturday night fever

    Pastors play church a lot. They fill their choirs with gifted musicians who are singularly unspiritual. They hire them for a fee. As long as they play good music, they are acceptable in the beloved. These musicians play in discos on Saturday night and then in church on Sunday morning. Pastors are particular about how well they play: they are not concerned about their anointing.

    But God is not impressed, and He would not be mocked. He says through the mouth of Amos:

    “Away with your hymns of praise- they are mere noise to My ears. I will not listen to your music, no matter how lovely it is. I want to see a mighty flood of justice- a torrent of doing good.” (Amos 5:23-24).

  • Despite being a devout Christian, I don’t toy with Ifa-Ex-President Obasanjo

    Despite being a devout Christian, I don’t toy with Ifa-Ex-President Obasanjo

    Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has said although he is a Christian, he does not toy with Ifa.

    The Ifa divination system, which makes use of an extensive corpus of texts and mathematical formulas, is practised among traditional worshippers in Yoruba communities.

    Ifa refers to the mystical figure perceived as the deity of wisdom and intellectual development.

    Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while hosting a renowned female talking drummer, Olamuyiwa Aralola, popularly known as Ara, on her 50th Birthday at Green Legacy Hotel and Resort, within Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), the elder statesman called for preservation of African cultural heritages, saying they must not go into extinction.

    He particularly said the Yoruba culture must be guided because it’s “authentic.”

    The former president said hosting Ara for birthday celebration was a deliberate action, to appreciate her efforts in preserving the Yoruba cultural heritage with specialty in talking drum, believed to be exclusive to the male.

    He said, “For whatever reason, we must preserve our culture, Ara is a woman of culture, she is our cultural ambassador, she has lifted our culture and had broken the taboo on what was formerly believed to be exclusively for male gender. She had not only excelled in this, but was already building young ones to preserve her legacy.

    “When I was growing up, there are two things that you don’t imagine a woman should do. You cannot see a woman climbing a palm tree. Secondly, you cannot see a woman playing talking drum, Ara had broken the taboo and she had done it very well.”

    The former president said the lesson in what Ara had done is that one must do whatever he or she is doing very well.

    “Before now, parents don’t allow their son to play football but today, parents are now begging that their children should be allowed to play football.

    “For me if you are dancer, dance well and if you invite me for celebration, I will come. If you are a footballer and you invite me for celebration, I will come. Whatever you find your hands in doing, do it well.

    “We must not joke with our culture. We are being relegated to the background, our language is being relegated, our food, our dress and others. We must not allow it. They are things that are authentic. Yoruba is not vernacular.”

    Obasanjo maintained that despite being a Christian, he hasn’t forgotten his culture.

    “I am a Christian, I had attended two churches today and that does not mean that I should forget my culture. Whoever says Ifa is nothing, I will say that person is a big fool.

    “Before Christianity and Islam, we have Ifa Orunmila meaning Olorun lo mo eni to ma la “It is Heaven that knows who will be saved,” he said.

    Ara thanked Obasanjo, for the honour done to her.

    Ara, who said she started playing talking drum at age 10 in her father’s palace in Ondo, said parents should do everything possible to preserve the culture.

  • Remember death at all times, Onaiyekan urges Christian faithful

    Remember death at all times, Onaiyekan urges Christian faithful

    Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of the Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, has urged Christian faithful in Nigeria to remember death at all times.

    Onaiyekan said this when he spoke with newsmen at the “Requiem Mass” in honour of late James Okorie, the younger brother of Rev. Fr. Kenneth Agwu, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Galadimawa, Abuja.

    He advised Christian faithful not to be afraid of death, saying that death was inevitable as it can come anytime.

    He said that since death was inevitable, believers should look up to it with great expectations.

    “We will all go when our time comes. For us who are Christians, one thing is sure, that there is no untimely death for us. We die whenever it is our time. That also means that we should be ready for it any time.

    “That is why services of funeral like this is always a reminder for every one of us. Today we are singing for James, we don’t know who is next, even among us now, but somebody is coming next.

    “Death is inevitable. That does not mean we should be afraid of it. In fact, because it is inevitable, we expect it. The believer looks forward to death with expectation.

    “We are not frightened by it, as if we don’t know what comes after. We are sure what comes after that.
    “St. Paul says, “These early pagans who do not have hope, that are sad with the reality of death,” he said.

    In his short exhortation, Vocations Director, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja , Rev. Fr. John Atep advised Nigerians to prioritise meeting the need of the less privileged and the needy in the society.

    Atep said that meeting the needs of people was part of man’s purpose in life.

    “When people are in need, hungry, thirsty, naked, in emotional or psychological need, you are there for them.

    “When you do all that, you are fulfilling what God has created for you for,”Atep said.

    He urged members of the congregation to emulate the purposeful life of Agwu, who lived his life according to the standards of God.

    He also advised Christian faithful not to be afraid of death or consider it as an end to life but as a transformation to eternal life with God.

    He condoled with the family of the deceased and urged it to take solace in the fact that Agwu lived according to the will of God, urging them to sustain the good legacies he left behind.

    He also advised the congregation to see Agwu’s death as a reminder that one day, everyone would return to his maker.

    “We need to pray that God will help us to live a good life, and not just a good life, that we may end well. It is not how we start, but it’s how we end. The end is the most important,” he said.

    Speaking with newsmen, Rev. Fr Agwu, who is the Priest in Charge of St. Francis Catholic Church, Galadimawa, described the death of his younger brother, who was so close to him, as the most single tragedy that has ever happened to him.

    Agwu, who is also the director and editor-in-chief, Good Shepard Newspaper, said that though his brother’s death was painful, he hoped to meet him again at the feet of Christ in heaven.

    “The death of my younger one thought me a lesson, something that is very strange. As close as we were, I took a lot of things for granted.

    “It was upon his death I started struggling to get even thing as simple as picture of him. I did not have it because I never expected that I was going to bury him.

    “I have always thought I will die first, and he will be at my grave side to pay his last respect, but the reverse is the case presently.

    “So for Christians, everyone should be prepared because we don’t know when, how, and where it is going to take place so that we will not be taken unware,” he said.

  • Five Christian denominations that don’t celebrate Easter and why

    Five Christian denominations that don’t celebrate Easter and why

    The celebration of Easter stands as one of the most significant events in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    However, not all Christian denominations partake in Easter festivities. Here are five churches that typically do not celebrate Easter and their reasons:

    1. Jehovah’s Witnesses

    Jehovah’s Witnesses, as a distinct Christian denomination, refrain from celebrating Easter due to their theological beliefs and interpretations of scripture. Central to their faith is a strict adherence to what they perceive as the original teachings of Christianity, as outlined in the Bible. Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the observance of Easter primarily because of their conviction that it has pagan origins and is not sanctioned by scripture.

    They argue that many Easter traditions, such as the use of eggs and rabbits, have non-Christian roots, dating back to pre-Christian fertility rites.

    Furthermore, Jehovah’s Witnesses emphasize the commemoration of Jesus’ death over his resurrection, which they believe occurred on Nisan 14 according to the Jewish calendar, rather than on Easter Sunday.

    They commemorate Jesus’ death annually through a solemn event known as the Memorial of Christ’s Death, which corresponds to the date of the Jewish Passover. During this commemoration, Jehovah’s Witnesses gather to reflect on the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice and its redemptive power for humanity, emphasizing the importance of salvation through Christ’s death.

    Another reason Jehovah’s Witnesses abstain from Easter celebrations is their focus on maintaining a separation from what they view as worldly or pagan influences. They believe that true worship should be free from any association with practices or customs that deviate from authentic Christian teachings. As a result, they reject participation in Easter festivities, opting instead for a more simplified and scripturally based approach to their faith.

    Moreover, Jehovah’s Witnesses prioritize evangelism and spreading their beliefs to others. They often use the occasion of Easter to engage in outreach efforts, distributing literature and engaging in discussions about their faith. For Jehovah’s Witnesses, every opportunity to share their beliefs with others is considered crucial, and Easter presents an opportunity to discuss their reasons for not celebrating the holiday and to present their interpretation of Christian teachings.

    In summary, Jehovah’s Witnesses’ decision not to celebrate Easter stems from their theological convictions, including their interpretation of scripture, their focus on Jesus’ death rather than his resurrection, their desire to maintain doctrinal purity, and their commitment to evangelism. While they abstain from Easter observances, they remain dedicated to their beliefs and to spreading what they perceive as the true message of Christianity.

     

    2. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)

    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Latter-day Saints or Mormons) does not have specific Easter celebrations in the traditional sense. While Mormons acknowledge the resurrection of Jesus Christ as a central tenet of their faith, their approach to religious observance differs from that of many other Christian denominations. Rather than emphasizing Easter as a distinct holiday, Mormons focus on the Atonement of Jesus Christ throughout the year. They believe that Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection are fundamental to their understanding of salvation and redemption.

    Mormons place a strong emphasis on the teachings found in the Book of Mormon, along with the Bible. They view the Atonement as a continuous and ongoing process, with its significance permeating all aspects of their lives.

    Thus, while Easter is recognized as an important event in Christian history, Mormons prioritize living according to the principles taught by Jesus Christ rather than celebrating specific holidays.

    Moreover, Latter-day Saints typically gather for worship services every Sunday, rather than singling out Easter Sunday for special observance. These weekly gatherings, known as Sacrament Meetings, provide opportunities for Mormons to renew their commitment to their faith, partake of the sacrament (similar to communion), and strengthen their sense of community.

    In addition, Mormons may choose to mark Easter with personal and family-centered observances, such as attending special church services or spending time with loved ones.

    However, these observances are generally not as elaborate or widespread as those found in other Christian traditions.

    Overall, while Mormons acknowledge the significance of Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, their approach to religious observance is characterized by a focus on the Atonement and living according to the teachings of Jesus Christ throughout the year, rather than through specific holiday celebrations.

    3. Some branches of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

    Some branches of the Seventh-day Adventist Church do not observe Easter as a religious holiday due to various theological and historical reasons. One primary concern among certain Seventh-day Adventists is the holiday’s perceived pagan origins and its historical associations with non-Christian rituals and practices. As a denomination that places a strong emphasis on biblical teachings and adherence to the Sabbath, these Seventh-day Adventists prioritize worship on the seventh day of the week, which they believe is Saturday, in accordance with the Fourth Commandment.

    Furthermore, Seventh-day Adventists often express reservations about participating in Easter celebrations due to their understanding of biblical prophecy and end-times theology. Some within the denomination interpret certain Easter-related customs, such as the use of eggs and rabbits, as symbolic of fertility rites that are inconsistent with their interpretation of biblical teachings.

    Moreover, Seventh-day Adventists tend to focus on the resurrection of Jesus Christ throughout the year rather than confining its commemoration to a single day. They believe in the importance of remembering Jesus’ sacrifice and victory over death as central to their faith and salvation.

    However, rather than celebrating Easter as a distinct holiday, they integrate the themes of Jesus’ resurrection and redemption into their regular worship services and teachings.

    In addition, Seventh-day Adventists prioritize health and well-being as part of their religious beliefs, which may influence their approach to Easter observance.

    Some Seventh-day Adventists choose to abstain from certain Easter-related customs, such as consuming large quantities of sugary treats or processed foods, in line with their dietary principles and commitment to living a healthy lifestyle.

    Overall, while some branches of the Seventh-day Adventist Church may not observe Easter as a religious holiday, they maintain a deep reverence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and integrate its significance into their broader theological framework and worship practices throughout the year.

     

    4. The Quakers (Religious Society of Friends)

    The Quakers, also known as the Religious Society of Friends, are known for their simplicity and rejection of outward religious ceremonies and rituals, including the observance of Easter. Central to Quaker beliefs is the concept of “silent worship,” where adherents gather in silence to seek direct communion with the Divine without the need for clergy, sacraments, or formal liturgy. This emphasis on the inward spiritual experience over external religious practices leads Quakers to abstain from celebrating Easter and other traditional Christian holidays.

    For Quakers, every day is seen as an opportunity for spiritual reflection and renewal, rather than confining significant religious observances to specific dates on the calendar. They believe in the importance of living out their faith through acts of kindness, social justice, and simplicity in daily life, rather than through the observance of holidays such as Easter. This focus on the continuous practice of faith aligns with the Quaker belief that spiritual growth is an ongoing journey rather than a series of isolated events or celebrations.

    Furthermore, the rejection of Easter observance reflects Quaker concerns about the historical and cultural origins of the holiday. Quakers place a strong emphasis on discernment and critical reflection, and some may view Easter customs and traditions as having pagan or commercialized roots that detract from the purity of their faith.

    As a result, they choose to abstain from participating in Easter celebrations as a means of maintaining spiritual integrity and authenticity within their religious community.

    In addition, the Quaker commitment to simplicity and equality extends to their approach to religious observance. Rather than elevating certain holidays or rituals above others, Quakers emphasize the importance of living a consistent and spiritually grounded life year-round.

    This egalitarian ethos underscores their decision not to celebrate Easter, as they strive to avoid hierarchical structures and external displays of religious piety in favor of a more egalitarian and inclusive faith practice.

    Overall, the Quaker decision not to celebrate Easter reflects their broader commitment to simplicity, inward spirituality, critical discernment, and egalitarian values. By abstaining from Easter observance, Quakers reaffirm their dedication to a faith practice centered on direct communion with the Divine, ethical living, and the pursuit of social justice in everyday life.

     

    5. Certain Holiness and Pentecostal denominations

    Certain Holiness and Pentecostal denominations, while deeply rooted in Christian beliefs, do not celebrate Easter in the traditional sense. This departure from mainstream Christianity stems from theological interpretations and historical perspectives unique to these denominations. While Easter holds significant importance in the liturgical calendar for many Christians, certain Holiness and Pentecostal churches prioritize other aspects of faith and practice.

    One reason these denominations abstain from Easter celebrations lies in their emphasis on spiritual purity and holiness. They often view Easter, along with other mainstream Christian holidays, as being heavily influenced by pagan traditions and rituals. As a result, they choose to distance themselves from these celebrations to maintain their doctrinal integrity and spiritual distinctiveness. Instead, they focus on worship practices and observances that align more closely with their interpretation of biblical teachings.

    Moreover, certain Holiness and Pentecostal denominations prioritize daily living according to biblical principles rather than commemorating specific holidays. They believe in living a sanctified life marked by spiritual dedication, personal holiness, and adherence to biblical commandments. For them, every day is an opportunity to honor Christ through righteous living and devotion, rather than through the observance of particular holidays.

    Additionally, these denominations often place a strong emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s role in the life of the believer.

    They prioritize experiences of spiritual renewal, empowerment, and transformation through the Holy Spirit’s work. As such, their worship services and spiritual practices may center more on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit rather than on traditional liturgical celebrations like Easter.

    Overall, while certain Holiness and Pentecostal denominations may not observe Easter in the same manner as other Christian traditions, their decision is rooted in theological convictions and a desire to maintain spiritual purity and distinctiveness. Instead, they prioritize daily living in accordance with biblical principles, emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit, and seek to cultivate a deeper spiritual connection with God apart from traditional holiday observances.

  • The God Who is not a Christian – By Femi Aribisala

    The God Who is not a Christian – By Femi Aribisala

    “If Jesus had come today instead of 2,000 years ago, pastors would have killed him”.

    A man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by armed robbers, stripped of his belongings, and left lying half-dead on the road. Divine providence ensured that first a priest, and then a Levite, passed by. But instead of helping the dying man; both quickly moved to the other side of the road and went away.

    Finally, a Samaritan came along. Unlike the priest and the Levite, he had compassion on the hapless man, bound up his wounds, took him to the hospital, and paid for his medical expenses.

    Good Samaritan

    Jesus’ story of this Good Samaritan is deliberate. It is incredible how, as Christians, we fail to recognise its full implications. The first mistake we make is in the identity of the Good Samaritan. When we situate the story in the contemporary setting, (as we should with all scripture), we assume that the Good Samaritan must be a Christian.

    However, Jesus deliberately excludes that possibility by providing two characters clearly representative of believers in any age. Today, the priest is easily identifiable as a pastor, while the Levite is a Christian worker.

    Who then is the Good Samaritan? Let me repeat this for emphasis: the Good Samaritan cannot be a Christian. The Christian is already adequately represented by the priest and the Levite. The Good Samaritan can only be Jesus Himself.

    Jesus’ story eloquently sets forth the goodness and kindness of Christ our Saviour towards sinful, miserable, and defenceless humanity. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ comes to give life and to give it abundantly. (John 10:10).

    But if Jesus is the Good Samaritan, then Jesus is not a Jew; for Samaritans were not accepted as Jews. As Paul points out:

    “He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” (Romans 2:28-29).

    If Jesus is the Good Samaritan, then Jesus is a Samaritan. If Jesus is not a Jew but a Samaritan, then Jesus cannot be a Christian, for it is the Jew that represents the Christian of today in the Scriptures.

    Jesus’ killers

    By the time some Jews observed Jesus, they concluded that He was not a Jew. In the first place, He refused to be regarded as a disciple of Moses but claimed instead to have come to fulfil the law. (Matthew 5:17). He did not obey the letter of Jewish laws but claimed to comply with its spirit.

    He insisted pharisaic religious tradition was old wine which could not be put into the new bottles He provided for the new wine of the New Testament. (Matthew 9:17). He prefaced a lot of His sermons with the statement: “You have heard that it was said to those of old… but I say.” (Matthew 5:27-28).

    Therefore, some Jews insisted Jesus was not Jewish. As a matter of fact, their position was that He was a closet Samaritan:

    “Then the Jews answered and said to him, “Do we not say rightly that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honour My Father, and you dishonour Me.” (John 8:48-49).

    Note that Jesus did not contest the charge that He was a Samaritan. But He took great exception to the allegation that He had a demon.

    But if Jesus identified with the Samaritans and not with the Jews, then it becomes clear he would not identify with most of the Christians of today. In fact, let me be so bold as to say that if Jesus were in the flesh today, He would not be a Christian.

    If Jesus had come today instead of 2,000 years ago, pastors and bishops would also have killed him. Like He did to their forefathers, Jesus would also have exposed the ungodliness of today’s Christian establishments to public ridicule.

    Religious irrelevancies

    So, if Jesus would not have been a Christian, what would He have been? He would have simply been Jesus without any specific religious affiliation. Today, Jesus has been replaced by theology, but the real Jesus was not religious. Jesus established no religious institution when He was on earth.

    Indeed, if Jesus were to show up physically on earth today, most Christians would not recognise Him the same way the Jews did not. If He came as a woman, we would not recognise Him. If He smoked cigarettes, we would not recognise Him. If He drank whisky, we would not recognise Him. If He wore earrings and a nose ring, we would not recognise Him. If He spoke Pidgin English, we would not recognise Him. Since He did not wear trousers, we would be contemptuous of Him. We would disqualify Him by religious irrelevancies instead of identifying Him by His fruits. (Matthew 7:20).

    When Jesus asked the lawyer to identify the neighbour of the man who fell among thieves, the man wisely did not say it was the Samaritan. If he had said that, he would have been wrong. Instead, he correctly defined him by his fruit. He said: “He who showed mercy on him.”

    He who showed mercy on him could be anybody, Christian or non-Christian, so long as he believed in Jesus and produced the fruits of Jesus’ righteousness.

    Merciless Christians

    What then does the story of the Good Samaritan mean if, indeed, the priest and the Levite represent today’s Christians? It means that, prophetically, it is the Christians of today who have no mercy. We despise unbelievers, certain they are going to hell. We speak disparagingly of them. We condemn sinners on the grounds they are ungodly.

    We stone them because they are caught in adultery. We fail to appreciate that they are hapless travellers on the road of life who have been attacked by spiritual armed robbers and left for dead. We conveniently forget that we used to be in the same predicament until we were rescued by the grace of God.

    Therefore, “God is not a Christian,” declared Reverend Desmond Tutu. “We are supposed to proclaim the God of love, but we have been guilty as Christians of sowing hatred and suspicion; we commend the one whom we call the Prince of Peace, and yet as Christians, we have fought more wars than we care to remember. We have claimed to be a fellowship of compassion and caring and sharing, but as Christians, we often sanctify socio-political systems that belie this, where the rich grow ever richer and the poor grow ever poorer.”

    One thing is certain. Both the offending priest and the Levite must have had “compelling” reasons for not attending to the man dying on the roadside. They probably could not stop because they were in a hurry to attend a Bible study. The priest decided that the best thing to do was to pray for the man when he got to church. The Levite was hurrying to get to a meeting of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and could not afford to be late.

    Jesus’ parable “kills” the self-righteous believer who thinks he is justified by calling himself a Christian and by going regularly to church. He alerts us to the danger of assuming we are heaven-bound because of our observance of certain religious rites. True Christianity is not legalistic. The love of our neighbour is the emblem of our being Christ’s disciples.

    “Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God.” (1 John 4:7).

  • The God who is not a Christian – By Femi Aribisala

    The God who is not a Christian – By Femi Aribisala

    A man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by armed robbers, stripped of his belongings, and left lying half-dead on the road. Divine providence ensured that first a priest, and then a Levite, passed by. But instead of helping the dying man; both quickly moved to the other side of the road and went away.

    Finally, a Samaritan came along. Unlike the priest and the Levite, he had compassion on the hapless man, bound up his wounds, took him to the hospital, and paid for his medical expenses.

       If Jesus had come today instead of 2,000 years ago, pastors would have killed him.

    Good Samaritan

    Jesus’ story of this Good Samaritan is deliberate. It is incredible how, as Christians, we fail to recognise its full implications. The first mistake we make is in the identity of the Good Samaritan. When we situate the story in the contemporary setting, (as we should with all scripture), we assume that the Good Samaritan must be a Christian.

    However, Jesus deliberately excludes that possibility by providing two characters clearly representative of believers in any age. Today, the priest is easily identifiable as a pastor, while the Levite is a Christian worker.

    Who then is the Good Samaritan? Let me repeat this for emphasis: the Good Samaritan cannot be a Christian. The Christian is already adequately represented by the priest and the Levite. The Good Samaritan can only be Jesus Himself.

    Jesus’ story eloquently sets forth the goodness and kindness of Christ our Saviour towards sinful, miserable, and defenceless humanity. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ comes to give life and to give it abundantly. (John 10:10).

    But if Jesus is the Good Samaritan, then Jesus is not a Jew; for Samaritans were not accepted as Jews. As Paul points out:

    “He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” (Romans 2:28-29).

    If Jesus is the Good Samaritan, then Jesus is a Samaritan. If Jesus is not a Jew but a Samaritan, then Jesus cannot be a Christian, for it is the Jew that represents the Christian of today in the Scriptures.

    Jesus’ killers

    By the time some Jews observed Jesus, they concluded that He was not a Jew. In the first place, He refused to be regarded as a disciple of Moses but claimed instead to have come to fulfil the law. (Matthew 5:17). He did not obey the letter of Jewish laws but claimed to comply with its spirit.

    He insisted pharisaic religious tradition was old wine which could not be put into the new bottles He provided for the new wine of the New Testament. (Matthew 9:17). He prefaced a lot of His sermons with the statement: “You have heard that it was said to those of old… but I say.” (Matthew 5:27-28).

    Therefore, some Jews insisted Jesus was not Jewish. As a matter of fact, their position was that He was a closet Samaritan:

    “Then the Jews answered and said to him, “Do we not say rightly that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honour My Father, and you dishonour Me.” (John 8:48-49).

    Note that Jesus did not contest the charge that He was a Samaritan. But He took great exception to the allegation that He had a demon.

    But if Jesus identified with the Samaritans and not with the Jews, then it becomes clear he would not identify with most of the Christians of today. In fact, let me be so bold as to say that if Jesus were in the flesh today, He would not be a Christian.

    If Jesus had come today instead of 2,000 years ago, pastors and bishops would also have killed him. Like He did to their forefathers, Jesus would also have exposed the ungodliness of today’s Christian establishments to public ridicule.

    Religious irrelevancies

    So, if Jesus would not have been a Christian, what would He have been? He would have simply been Jesus without any specific religious affiliation. Today, Jesus has been replaced by theology, but the real Jesus was not religious. Jesus established no religious institution when He was on earth.

    Indeed, if Jesus were to show up physically on earth today, most Christians would not recognise Him the same way the Jews did not. If He came as a woman, we would not recognise Him. If He smoked cigarettes, we would not recognise Him. If He drank whisky, we would not recognise Him. If He wore earrings and a nose ring, we would not recognise Him. If He spoke Pidgin English, we would not recognise Him. Since He did not wear trousers, we would be contemptuous of Him. We would disqualify Him by religious irrelevancies instead of identifying Him by His fruits. (Matthew 7:20).

    When Jesus asked the lawyer to identify the neighbour of the man who fell among thieves, the man wisely did not say it was the Samaritan. If he had said that, he would have been wrong. Instead, he correctly defined him by his fruit. He said: “He who showed mercy on him.”

    He who showed mercy on him could be anybody, Christian or non-Christian, so long as he believed in Jesus and produced the fruits of Jesus’ righteousness.

    Merciless Christians

    What then does the story of the Good Samaritan mean if, indeed, the priest and the Levite represent today’s Christians? It means that, prophetically, it is the Christians of today who have no mercy. We despise unbelievers, certain they are going to hell. We speak disparagingly of them. We condemn sinners on the grounds they are ungodly.

    We stone them because they are caught in adultery. We fail to appreciate that they are hapless travellers on the road of life who have been attacked by spiritual armed robbers and left for dead. We conveniently forget that we used to be in the same predicament until we were rescued by the grace of God.

    Therefore, “God is not a Christian,” declared Reverend Desmond Tutu. “We are supposed to proclaim the God of love, but we have been guilty as Christians of sowing hatred and suspicion; we commend the one whom we call the Prince of Peace, and yet as Christians, we have fought more wars than we care to remember. We have claimed to be a fellowship of compassion and caring and sharing, but as Christians, we often sanctify socio-political systems that belie this, where the rich grow ever richer and the poor grow ever poorer.”

    One thing is certain. Both the offending priest and the Levite must have had “compelling” reasons for not attending to the man dying on the roadside. They probably could not stop because they were in a hurry to attend a Bible study. The priest decided that the best thing to do was to pray for the man when he got to church. The Levite was hurrying to get to a meeting of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and could not afford to be late.

    Jesus’ parable “kills” the self-righteous believer who thinks he is justified by calling himself a Christian and by going regularly to church. He alerts us to the danger of assuming we are heaven-bound because of our observance of certain religious rites. True Christianity is not legalistic. The love of our neighbour is the emblem of our being Christ’s disciples.

    “Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God.” (1 John 4:7).

  • Support your prayers for Nigeria with Positive actions, Saraki urges Christians

    Support your prayers for Nigeria with Positive actions, Saraki urges Christians

    Ex-Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has congratulated Christians across the country and the world over on this year’s Christmas celebration and urged those in Nigeria to also ensure that their prayers are supported by actions that can help achieve the development of the nation.

    Saraki in a statement released from his Media Office in Abuja noted that the prayers of religious groups like the Christians have sustained the country despite the numerous, daunting challenges that are confronting it.

    He added that citizens who take time to pray for their country are demonstrating patriotism and that such commitment needs to be supported with positive attitudes like compliance with the laws of the land, and tolerance of people of other religions and those with different viewpoints on issues.

    “I congratulate and rejoice with all Christians across the world, particularly those in Nigeria, as they celebrate Christmas which signifies the birth of Jesus Christ who is fondly referred to as ‘the reason for the season’. I pray that almighty God bless us and answer all our positive prayers.

    “I want to appreciate the fact that prayers from people of different religions like the Christians have been the source of sustenance for our country despite the socio-political and economic challenges that have confronted us as a nation and threaten the existence of our country as a united, peaceful, and progressive country.

    “However, I believe that we all have to emulate Jesus Christ who represents positive actions by preaching compliance with the laws of the land, contributing to growing the wealth of the nation, performing our civic duties honestly and transparently, supporting the poor, helping to prevent any harm that may come to the nation and demonstrating the fear of God in all our activities. These are what Jesus Christ represents.

    “As we celebrate his birthday at Christmas, I urge all Nigerians to live in peace with each other and tolerate each other as our strength lies in the multiplicity of our religion, ethnicity, language, and culture. We also need to work hard to save our country from economic and security problems”, Saraki stated.

    He also prayed for the security agents on the frontlines striving to combat those who have taken arms against their fellow Nigerians. “As the call of duty prevents them from enjoying the Yuletide period with their respective families, may almighty God grant the security officials victory over the enemies of our country. May His protection be on all of them”, he added.

    Signed

    Yusuph Olaniyonu
    Head, Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office
    Abuja

  • The God who is not a Christian – By Femi Aribisala

    The God who is not a Christian – By Femi Aribisala

    “If Jesus had come today instead of 2,000 years ago, pastors would have killed him”.

    A man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by armed robbers, stripped of his belongings, and left lying half-dead on the road. Divine providence ensured that first a priest, and then a Levite, passed by. But instead of helping the dying man; both quickly moved to the other side of the road and went away.

    Finally, a Samaritan came along. Unlike the priest and the Levite, he had compassion on the hapless man, bound up his wounds, took him to the hospital, and paid for his medical expenses.

    Good Samaritan

    Jesus’ story of this Good Samaritan is deliberate. It is incredible how, as Christians, we fail to recognise its full implications. The first mistake we make is in the identity of the Good Samaritan. When we situate the story in the contemporary setting, (as we should with all scripture), we assume that the Good Samaritan must be a Christian.

    However, Jesus deliberately excludes that possibility by providing two characters representative of believers in any age. Today, the priest is easily identifiable as a pastor, while the Levite is a Christian worker.

    Who then is the Good Samaritan? Let me repeat this for emphasis: The Good Samaritan cannot be a Christian. The Christian is already adequately represented by the priest and the Levite. The Good Samaritan can only be Jesus Himself.

    Jesus’ story eloquently sets forth the goodness and kindness of Christ our Saviour towards sinful, miserable, and defenceless humanity. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ comes to give life and to give it abundantly. (John 10:10).

    But if Jesus is the Good Samaritan, then Jesus is not a Jew; for Samaritans were not accepted as Jews. As Paul points out:

    “He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh, but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” (Romans 2:28-29).

    If Jesus is the Good Samaritan, then Jesus is a Samaritan. If Jesus is not a Jew but a Samaritan, then Jesus cannot be a Christian, for it is the Jew that represents the Christian of today in the Scriptures.

    Jesus’ killers

    By the time some Jews observed Jesus, they concluded that He was not a Jew. In the first place, He refused to be regarded as a disciple of Moses but claimed instead to have come to fulfil the law. (Matthew 5:17). He did not obey the letter of Jewish laws but claimed to comply with its spirit.

    He insisted pharisaic religious tradition was old wine that could not be put into the new bottles He provided for the new wine of the New Testament. (Matthew 9:17). He prefaced a lot of His sermons with the statement: “You have heard that it was said to those of old… but I say.” (Matthew 5:27-28).

    Therefore, some Jews insisted Jesus was not Jewish. Their position was that He was a closet Samaritan:

    “Then the Jews answered and said to him, “Do we not say rightly that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honour My Father, and you dishonour Me.” (John 8:48-49).

    Note that Jesus did not contest the charge that He was a Samaritan. But He took great exception to the allegation that He had a demon.

    But if Jesus identified with the Samaritans and not with the Jews, then it becomes clear he would not identify with most of the Christians of today. Let me be so bold as to say that if Jesus were in the flesh today, He would not be a Christian.

    If Jesus had come today instead of 2,000 years ago, pastors and bishops would also have killed him. Like He did to their forefathers, Jesus would also have exposed the ungodliness of today’s Christian establishments to public ridicule.

    Religious irrelevancies

    So, if Jesus would not have been a Christian, what would He have been? He would have simply been Jesus without any specific religious affiliation. Today, Jesus has been replaced by theology, but the real Jesus was not religious. Jesus established no religious institution when He was on earth.

    Indeed, if Jesus were to show up physically on earth today, most Christians would not recognise Him the same way the Jews did not. If He came as a woman, we would not recognise Him. If He smoked cigarettes, we would not recognise Him. If He drank whisky, we would not recognise Him. If He wore earrings and a nose ring, we would not recognise Him. If He spoke Pidgin English, we would not recognise Him. Since He did not wear trousers, we would be contemptuous of Him. We would disqualify Him by religious irrelevancies instead of identifying Him by His fruits. (Matthew 7:20).

    When Jesus asked the lawyer to identify the neighbour of the man who fell among thieves, the man wisely did not say it was the Samaritan. If he had said that, he would have been wrong. Instead, he correctly defined him by his fruit. He said: “He who showed mercy on him.”

    He who showed mercy on him could be anybody, Christian or non-Christian, so long as he believed in Jesus and produced the fruits of Jesus’ righteousness.

    Merciless Christians

    What then does the story of the Good Samaritan mean if, indeed, the priest and the Levite represent today’s Christians? It means that, prophetically, it is the Christians of today who have no mercy. We despise unbelievers, certain they are going to hell. We speak disparagingly of them. We condemn sinners on the grounds they are ungodly.

    We stone them because they are caught in adultery. We fail to appreciate that they are hapless travellers on the road of life who have been attacked by spiritual armed robbers and left for dead. We conveniently forget that we used to be in the same predicament until we were rescued by the grace of God.

    Therefore, “God is not a Christian,” declared Reverend Desmond Tutu. “We are supposed to proclaim the God of love, but we have been guilty as Christians of sowing hatred and suspicion; we commend the one whom we call the Prince of Peace, and yet as Christians, we have fought more wars than we care to remember. We have claimed to be a fellowship of compassion and caring and sharing, but as Christians, we often sanctify socio-political systems that belie this, where the rich grow ever richer and the poor grow ever poorer.”

    One thing is certain. Both the offending priest and the Levite must have had “compelling” reasons for not attending to the man dying on the roadside. They probably could not stop because they were in a hurry to attend a Bible study. The priest decided that the best thing to do was to pray for the man when he got to church. The Levite was hurrying to get to a meeting of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and could not afford to be late.

    Jesus’ parable “kills” the self-righteous believer who thinks he is justified by calling himself a Christian and by going regularly to church. He alerts us to the danger of assuming we are heaven-bound because of our observance of certain religious rites. True Christianity is not legalistic. The love of our neighbour is the emblem of our being Christ’s disciples.

    “Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God.” (1 John 4:7).

     

    (Culled from my new book: “KIngdom Dynamics: The God Christians Reject.”)