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“Matthew 12:11 Isn’t a Divine Mandate for Militant Christianity” By Akin Ojumu Few verses demonstrate the danger of careless interpretation more clearly than this Bible passage which is the subject of this commentary series. Across sections of the contemporary Church, Matthew 11:12 has been transformed into a slogan for aggression.  Some preachers invoke it to justify militant spirituality. Others employ it to sanctify confrontational political activism.  Still others speak as though Jesus were calling Christians to become spiritually “violent” people who must seize blessings, territories, positions, breakthroughs, or destinies by force. And some go even further, using the verse to provide a veneer of biblical legitimacy for physical aggression. All these individuals invoke Matthew 11:12 as proof text. Matthew 11:12 “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” But quoting a verse is not the same thing as interpreting it. And repeating the words “...

By Akin Ojumu Brimming with extraordinary talent, possessing exceptional technical mastery, and blessed with a warm and engaging personality, Uvoh Ononiobe has, over the years I have known him, consistently demonstrated that he is a prodigious musical virtuoso. His beautiful song, “Your Blood Is Enough,” is yet another testament to his gifts as a Christian singer and songwriter. But what captivates me about this song goes far beyond the music. The beat is undeniably upbeat. The melody is genuinely beautiful. The arrangement is compelling, and Uvoh’s delivery is superb. Yet what arrests my attention most is something increasingly rare in contemporary Christian music: The theological precision of the lyrics and the doctrinal soundness of the message. Consider the central refrain: Your Blood is enough There’s nothing more to add The Body and the Blood of Christ Forever speaks for me And then: Your Blood is enough Your Blood is enough for me That is not merely a catchy chorus. That is the...

“Understanding the Principles of Bible Interpretation” By Akin Ojumu The careful cultivation of the mind should rank among the highest priorities of every Christian. This is not intellectualism for intellectualism’s sake. Neither is it an exercise in academic pride. It is the disciplined practice of allowing the Word of God to occupy, shape, and govern every corner of the mind through diligent study, careful reflection, sound interpretation, and faithful application. Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” If the Word of Christ is to dwell in us richly, then we must labor to understand what that Word actually means. And that requires interpretation. THE DISCIPLINE OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION Scripture must be interpreted rationally, carefully, and responsibly, just as we would interpret a letter, historical document, speech, leg...

“When Experience Replaces Scripture” By Akin Ojumu There is a scourge afflicting the contemporary Church that is every bit as dangerous as biblical illiteracy. It is the unholy fascination with power, manifestations, encounters, revelations, and supernatural experiences. For many Church folks, subjective mystical experiences now carry greater practical authority than the written Word of God. Dreams. Visions. Trances. Angelic visitations. Trips to heaven. Conversations with Jesus. Tea with God. Out-of-body experiences. Secret revelations. Mystical encounters. All these have been elevated above Scripture. These stories are recounted with breathtaking confidence and received with astonishing credulity. And whenever the experience collides with Scripture, Scripture is too often forced to yield. In the battle between experience and Scripture. Experience wins, all the time. That is the peril. Christianity is quietly being transformed from a faith grounded in objective divine revelation into ...