In his Reflections on the Psalms, C. S. Lewis pointed out that being shocked by the passing of time is strange. “How time flies,” we exclaim, “as though the universal form of our experience were again and again a novelty. It is as strange as if a fish were repeatedly surprised at the wetness of water.” Lewis goes on to say that it shouldn’t surprise us at all, since God made us for eternity. One day we’ll be liberated from the tyrannous ravages of time and our own mutability. In the meantime, “we are so little reconciled to time that we are even astonished at it.” Astonishingly, then, it’s already the end of 2024. So while you come to terms with that, here are five of the most read articles published in the past year.
The T. B. Joshua Story Points to a Problem in Many Churches
Just two weeks into 2024 the BBC released a devastating documentary about the late prophet, T. B. Joshua. This came almost three years after his death, revealing a much darker and more sinister side to the popular public persona. Naturally, this led to an outpouring of articles and opinion pieces, addressing various aspects of Joshua’s decades of deceit. In this article, Oyewole Akande shows that while the scale of Joshua’s scandal won’t be eclipsed any time soon, the pattern is repeated in many churches across the African continent: the man of God is unaccountable.
Interrogating the Man of God Phenomenon in Africa
Speaking of the man of God, this punchy piece from Lawrence Musunte highlights a few of the main teachings and practices associated with them. He interrogates ideas tapping into the anointing and altars, along with the language of spiritual fatherhood and protective coverings. In the end Lawrence suggests that the success of the man of God in Africa is the result of what he calls spiritual addiction.
Your Problem Isn’t an Evil Altar but God Is the Solution
Countless Christians across Africa seek out help to break evil altars. In this article, Wanjiru Ng’ang’a describes these altars and the practices involving them. After a brief sketch, Wanjiru examines the biblical support for the notion of evil altars, particularly in the Old Testament where we read about devout Israelites breaking altars dedicated to false gods and evil spirits. Finally, she argues that prevalent teaching concerning evil altars is more superstition than Christian, detracting from Christ and downplaying the true nature of spiritual warfare. Linked the Lawrence’s article above, Wanjiru also highlights how religious leaders exploit their followers for selfish gain under the pretence of breaking evil altars.
God’s Forgiveness Isn’t Free
Changing tack, Oluwadara Oloye’s article examines the language of free forgiveness, found in most if not all Christian contexts. Using the example of conferences and free books, Oluwadara demonstrates that even a gift costs something. You might not pay for it, but someone does. Crucially, this isn’t to suggest that we somehow buy salvation or that we pay God—perhaps via one of his representatives—for his favour. After all, God says, “if I were hungry, I would not tell you for the world and its fullness are mine” (Psalm 50:12). We simply won’t ever possess or do enough that we might earn favour from God. This raises the questions: how can we be forgiven? If the wages of sin are death (Romans 6:23), how will we be saved?
Three Biblical Principles for Christian Dating
This last article was published towards the end of 2024, and it’s wide readership indicates that the perennial question of dating hasn’t gone away. From some corners, there have been cries for a complete ban on it; others have swung to the opposite extreme and carried out dating in ways no different from the world. While the Bible doesn’t explicitly address the question, in this article Thembelani Maqajana offers some theological principles that must be applied to it. By doing so Thembelani is able to push back against both those who call dating ungodly and those who date in markedly ungodly ways.
