I recently saw the (pls click following links if not showing)  video embedded above and read the article “Did Jesus wear designer clothes”  in Christianity today on certain developments in the “African “ Church.  Quite interesting reading… indeed so true in many regards.  Many commented on the linkage in African expressions of worship and the natural appeal of the prosperity gospel to cultural traditions and rituals of seeking to know and manage the future against evil forces etc . 

When the missionaries brought the gospel to Africa…it did transform lives and new older converts sent their many wives packing while the younger saints married and couples stuck together – divorce was almost completely unheard of in the body of Christ and certainly not amongst leadership  … even though polygamy was very rife in our old traditions.  We learnt from our fathers and much older brothers that the true gospel indeed has power to change lives or it can not be the true gospel.  But soon … they became too old-fashioned for us.

More recently, fresh imports of “Christianity-lite” via American televangelism ( with highly effective fund raising calls and magical entertainment) raged unstoppably through the networks like a fiery fire…at a time when vulnerable impoverished peoples with no social safety-nets seeking hope against socio-political oppression were immediately inevitably attracted to the new “solutions” and soon became outstanding disciples…and clones of these televangelists could be seen developing all over the continent…propagating churches with the “marketing” strategies of their mentors…and ofcourse this all played to the script of the enemy of the true church.

The disciples and ardent followership of these “modern” missions are now maturing and the seed sown is bearing the fruit it must…

Matthew 7[13]  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14]  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 [15]  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [16]  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [17]  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [18]  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. [19]  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [20]  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

[21]  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22]  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23]  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. [24]  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: [25]  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. [26]  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: [27]  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. [28]  And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: [29]  For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

But the counterfeit only proves the existence of a magnificent jewel of great value…a forged “mona lisa” testifies to the beauty of the original…All this suggests there is some masterpiece that must be faked.  Christ is the masterpiece and He reigns. Seeking the true God is indeed worth it…Go for the original. He has true riches.

Luke 16 [11]  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches ?

Bode