Miracle hunting is dangerous both spiritually and physically. But what if that is all that brings hope
Since the blossoming of Pentecostalism, Nigeria has become a sort of Mecca for believers seeking spiritual fulfillment and for “men of God” seeking success in their ministries.
But what is today termed the TB Joshua phenomenon is something huger. The self-styled Nigerian prophet of the Synagogue, Church of all Nations, has become a hot sale, thanks to miracle spectacles performed on live television.
Hundreds of Cameroonians, including lawmakers, top administrators, business tycoons and celebrated artistes, make the phenomenal healing and deliverance pilgrimage to Nigeria every month.
Millions of homes across the country, including English-deficient Francophones (which says a lot when one considers TB Joshua’s difficult accent and half-measured English) beam Emmanuel TV at home.
TB Joshua has attained a celebrity status, with endorsements from important public figures like the Ghanaian head of state. No one can blame his followers for following such an important crowd. If presidents and music celebrities believe in TB Joshua, “who art thou you commoner of no repute”.
Hot as he has become is the debate about whether TB Joshua is fake or not. Church ministers and theology scholars are as divided on the issue as are common folk like you and me.
But for millions of people, that is beside the point. They find in him the answer to their problems: instant healing from both physical and spiritual conditions.
On live television, TB Joshua has aired the confession of people who have – thanks to his anointing – found a new beginning after reaching the dead-end.
What then can anyone tell someone who believes he got healed of cancer through the touch of a hand? Or a woman, who had a child after years of trial, thanks to a spinning teleguided exorcism that winded up in vomiting out her womb-blocking ailment?
How does anyone stop a businessman who believes the curse on his investments were lifted when the man of God blew air in his face and sent him crashing to the floor? Or even a confessed murderer who was forgiven of his sins and blessed with a new life, yes, thanks to a little tap in the forehead? Or the millions of people, who are watching all of these at home and tell themselves, “There is a way out”?
This is the side of the story that the minister of external relations missed when he issued his travel warning to Cameroonians travelling to Nigeria to have TB Joshua lay hands on them.
Henri Eyebe Ayissi missed the desperation of Cameroonians who are ready to do what it takes for answer to their manifold problems. Ayissi was blinded to the craving for a better life - the daily struggles of Cameroonians for someone who cares and shows unconditional love.
Ayissi did not realize that for many, TB Joshua incarnates what they seek for in a leader: the reassurance to hope. He missed the indictment of the Biya administration for failing to provide Cameroonians with basic social services such as healthcare.
He missed the real story: the tens of million tales of suffering that is driving Cameroonians to adopt extreme measures. He missed the true state of the nation.
No comments:
Post a Comment