Monday,
September 22, 2014
Folks, the
Nigerian “Man-of-God (Temitope Balogun Joshua) has featured in numerous
discussions regarding the conduct of the “Men-of-God” in contemporary times.
His loud claims of authority to heal all manner of ailments and the frequent flashes
of prophecy from him have kept him in the limelight to create the impression
that he is a strong force to be reckoned with in Christendom. No wonder that
his following is increasing by the day, even though the records show that he
began his ministry in the early 1990s with a paltry 8 members. I hear today he
has more than 20,000 ardent followers who see him as a Prophet and will do
anything to validate his ministry. Good for them while it lasts.
But what is bad
for TB Joshua and his followers is just in the offing and emerging and
unfolding with threatening implications. Those of us who have taken on TB
Joshua for various reasons and ridiculed him for indulging in “religious
crookery” have been condemned by his followers; yet, we remain undaunted
because of our conviction that he is taking Christianity to a whole new level
that may end up bursting his own balloon of self-confidence and
self-possession. He is over-extending himself and heading toward the landmine
that will likely blow him off his elements. Forget about his philanthropic work
because it is to be expected that with so much wealth, if he doesn’t spread his
generosity across the field, he won’t be worth the poor people’s attention.
After all, it is
these poor people who flock his Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) to
offer their substance, which has made him one of the richest “Men-of-God” in
Africa. And the rich people from all parts of the world have sustained him too.
Whether the tune has changed in Christendom for the rich man to be privileged
over the poor and meek is a new twist. Whether such a rich man can easily pass
through the eye of the needle to enter Heaven under this guise is the new rub
that such “Men-of-God” have wrought. None of my business but theirs on the
Judgement Day!
The nagging
issue, though, is that the flocking of thousands to the SCOAN has now put TB
Joshua in an embarrassing situation which is likely to bring him face-to-face
with the law and to risk stern action being taken against him to destabilize
his ministry. The collapse of the SCOAN guest house and the death of or serious
injury to tens of his followers (mostly from South Africa and Zimbabwe) about a
week ago has already set tongues wagging and prompted the Nigerian authorities
to act.
While
speculation has it that the building collapsed when three storeys were being
added to the weak foundation of that Lagos guest house, TB Joshua has released CCTV footage showing to
journalists the moment of the collapse, saying that the incident was linked to
a small plane that was seen flying overhead shortly before the building fell.
Sabotage? By whom? A conundrum of sorts.
The latest development is that the Nigerian President (Goodluck
Jonathan) has visited the site, prompting speculations that the SCOAN risks
being shut down. Will this shut down really happen? With what implications for
TB Joshua’s ministry and the religious lives of his followers?
On the flip side, though, I will be quick to wonder why the
Nigerian authorities will choose to take prompt and firm action against TB
Joshua and his SCOAN while not doing same to the Boko Haram menace that poses
more terrible danger to Nigeria than the building collapse at the SCOAN headquarters
in Lagos. Is it because of the death of 67 South Africans and a Zimbabwean
opposition politician (apparently because of the diplomatic ingredient involved
in the happening)? I wonder.
All said and done, what is emerging in the case of TB Joshua
is ominous, even as he himself has pointed accusing fingers at his enemies
seeking to destroy him. The question, then, is: Can TB Joshua withstand the
pressure that is beginning to mount on him? A true “Man-of-God” who is capable
of knowing his enemies will do all in his power to stand firm, leaving the
battle to God top fight for him.
A few days ago, I read a news report accusing him of
indulging in bribery and corruption to get good press. It seems there is much
pressure on TB Joshua, apparently because of the extent to which he has pushed
his ministry to create the impression that he is the contemporary
representative of Jesus Christ, a “Man-of-God” par excellence. Those competing
with him are incensed and are poised to take him on. We have already heard Rev.
Owusu Bempah accuse him of indulging in human sacrifice and acting as an agent
of Satan. Too bad.
Clearly, TB Joshua’s boasts are likely costing him now. I
hear he has boldly asserted that he can cure victims of HIV/AIDS and that he
could do same to Ebola victims, having promised to make available 2,000 bottles
of holy water for that purpose. Such claims are really astounding and will
definitely set him up for whatever awaits him. I believe strongly that he has
constructed himself as the bull’s eye for archers and should be prepared to
soak up the sting!!
Unless the pressure lessens, I suspect strongly that TB
Joshua may be boxing himself into a tight corner from which he is not likely to
emerge unscathed. I hear he intends to travel to South Africa in the coming
weeks to meet families and survivors of a building collapse at his church that
killed scores." (Source:
http://www.myjoyonline.com/world/2014/September-22nd/tb-joshua-to-visit-sa-as-tragedy-death-toll-climbs.php)
If he intends to condole/console relatives of the victims, he
had better brace up for something unpleasant. I suspect that he may be
considering some compensation package to attempt soothing flexed nerves. No
matter what he has up his sleeves, he shouldn't be surprised if any hostile
reception is given him. Apparently, the victims went to his guest house for
life, not death!!
As for me, I have already made my stance clear on such “Men-of-God”
and will remain unconvinced that they are what they are openly portraying.
Those who think otherwise had better prepare themselves for much jolting when
the facts of reality begin to hit them hard on the head. To God be the glory!!
I shall return…
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E-mail:
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