JIM JONES & HIS MODERN-DAY SUCCESSORS
By Akin Ojumu There are preachers today who claim they possess the spiritual gifts of “word of knowledge” and “word of wisdom.” Ever the inveterate show artists, these scoundrels like to put up an elaborate show and choreographed display of these purported gifts at their meetings and gatherings just for the dramatic effects. Like magicians laying on their tricks, they call out random people in the audience about whom they claim to have just received a word of knowledge or word wisdom about some issues the individuals are dealing with in their lives. And the script usually goes like this. “There’s somebody here,” he’d say, “You have chronic pain in your lower back that makes it difficult for you to sit, stand, or walk. You’ve consulted with and spent a fortune on doctors, to no avail. Now, I want you to stand on your feet wherever you are in the audience. Let me pray for you.” Knowing that all eyes are on him, the showman on the pulpit performs his magical routine; he corks his head to ...