Introduction- Nigeria, a country with a rich diversity of cultures and faiths, has witnessed significant challenges in recent times. As a nation, we have grappled with issues that threaten our unity, stability, and progress. Within the Christian Ummah, a contentious debate has emerged, centered around the teachings of Dr. Abel Damina and other ear tingling, eye popping practices of prosperity and miracle working preachers like Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin. The controversy surrounding tithes and offerings, as well as the commercialization of the gospel, has sparked heated discussions and divisions among Christians. This article seeks to address these issues, promoting a culture of truth, understanding, and cohesion among Christians in Nigeria.....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
The Tithes and Offerings Conundrum;Damina vs the others
Dr. Abel Damina’s stance on tithes and offerings has been a subject of controversy. While some applaud his emphasis on free will giving and generosity, and his dogged, vehement condemnation of what he termed as transactional gospel, others have condemned his approach which projects him as an all-knowing truth teller, last man standing, lone voice crying in the wilderness seeking to differentiate himself from the crowd.
His recent claims while appearing on “Nedu’s the Honest Bunch”, a popular podcast on social media, that he anointed some “fathers of faith” in Nigeria into ministry, most notably Dr Paul Enenche into ministry has drew the ire of some of his early friends in ministry, prompting a raft of rebuttals which labelled his claims as lies directly from the pit of hell.
They warned members of the public to take Abel’s pronouncements with great circumspection. In a bid to prove that he indeed fathered, mentored or anointed Dr Enenche into ministry,Dr Damina recently released evidence of the incorporation of Dunamis Church Int.where he was listed as a trustee.
This has pitted the followers of both leaders against themselves,further widening the already existing schism in the body of Christ.Aside the almost personal fight between the two giants, many who have listened to Dr Damina’s teachings have questioned his theology and doctrinal exegesis and sees him as an apostate, a kind of heretic who has been sent from the pit of hell to bring division and confusion to the body of Christ.
They cite Dr Damina’s claim about two Jesuses in the Bible, Elijah’s fire is from the devil, God didn’t tell Noah to build any ark, Jesus cannot be the lion of the tribe of Judah, God has no anger among many others as proofs of him having lost it.
Why all these controversy rages, it is important to ask; What does the Bible truly teach about tithes and offerings? Should giving be conditioned on expectations of material blessings? As Christians, we must engage in a nuanced discussion, seeking to understand the scriptural context and avoiding misinterpretations.
To be concluded
Simon Idoko, a student of the holy Bible writes from Abuja.
