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SPIRITUAL DEPRAVITY DRESSED UP IN CHRISTIAN LANGUAGE (PART III)

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“When the Church Abandons Scripture, Every Absurdity Becomes a Revelation” By Akin Ojumu In the first two installments of this commentary, we examined the distinction between genuine saving faith and mere religious profession. We considered the three essential elements of saving faith: notitia, assensus, and fiducia. We also examined the extraordinary public announcement involving the self-styled Prophet Israel T. Ford, his wife Lydia Ford, and Minister Shakayla Talley Ford, whom the prophet and his wife introduced as his second wife. What makes that episode especially disturbing is not merely the public acknowledgment of the polygynous arrangement. It is the elaborate religious vocabulary used to portray the arrangement as an expression of divine approval. God was honored. Divine guidance was celebrated. Spiritual growth was proclaimed. Blessings and increase were announced. The arrangement was presented as a model of what God wants to establish in the earth. Those involved described ...
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SPIRITUAL DEPRAVITY DRESSED UP IN CHRISTIAN LANGUAGE (PART II)

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“‘Prophet’ Israel T. Ford, His Two Wives, and the Gospel of Polygyny” By Akin Ojumu In Part I of this commentary, we explained the three essential elements of saving faith: notitia (knowledge), assensus (intellectual assent), and fiducia (personal trust and reliance upon Jesus Christ). We demonstrated from James 2:19 and Matthew 7:21–23 that possessing knowledge of Christian doctrine, acknowledging the truth of the Gospel, and performing religious activities do not necessarily mean that a person has experienced genuine salvation. Even the demons believe that God exists. And the Lord Jesus warns that many who profess His name and claim to have performed mighty works in His name will hear the terrifying declaration: “I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WORKERS OF LAWLESSNESS.” The point is simple. Religious vocabulary cannot substitute for spiritual regeneration. Neither can an impressive ministerial résumé conceal a life of rebellion against the revealed will of God. Which brings us t...
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SPIRITUAL DEPRAVITY DRESSED UP IN CHRISTIAN LANGUAGE (PART I)

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“Not Everyone Who Calls Jesus Lord Belongs to Jesus” By Akin Ojumu One of the most dangerous misconceptions in contemporary Christianity is the assumption that knowing the Gospel, believing its historical claims, speaking the language of the Church, and participating in religious activities necessarily mean that a person possesses saving faith. They do not. A person may possess an impressive knowledge of Scripture, affirm the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, preach sermons, lead worship, perform religious rituals, and spend an entire lifetime immersed in church activities without ever having genuinely trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. You can memorize the Bible and still be spiritually dead. You can preach about Christ without belonging to Christ. You can spend decades shouting “Hallelujah!” and “Praise the Lord!” without ever having experienced the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. You can even become an apostle, prophet, bishop, or general overseer in the esti...
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USING BIBLICAL HISTORY TO JUSTIFY RELIGIOUS ABSURDITY (PART III)

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“Scripture Is Our Authority, Not Their Supernatural Stories” By Akin Ojumu In the preceding installments, we examined the extraordinary assignments God gave several Old Testament prophets and demonstrated why the mere occurrence of an event in Scripture does not make that event normative for Christians today. We also examined the claim that Jesus’ promise of greater works in John 14:12 provides biblical authorization for the spectacular supernatural stories told by today’s self-appointed apostles, prophets, and General Overseers. As we have seen, that argument rests on a fundamental misunderstanding of Scripture. But there is another equally serious problem. The defenders of these modern religious celebrities seem to imagine that questioning a preacher’s supernatural claims is equivalent to denying the supernatural acts of God recorded in the Bible. This is a false equivalence. THE BIBLE DOES NOT ASK US TO BELIEVE EVERY SUPERNATURAL STORY I believe that God parted the Red Sea. That doe...
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