Donald Saddam Mushaikwa “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge . . .” reads the opening statement of the book of Hosea 4v6. What bog...
Donald Saddam Mushaikwa
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge . . .” reads the opening statement of the book of Hosea 4v6. What boggles the mind is the realisation of how ignorant of the scripture some Christians are. What makes one shiver is the poor, lame and wrong interpretation of the gospel by some self-proclaimed prophets, who have become powerful, prominent, influential and also “controversial” figures at the top echelons of the now renowned and emerging religious denominations.
The church is not there primarily to maximise profits. Neither is it to buy and sell. What happens in today’s church is in acute contrast to these basic, simple, rudimentary principles. If the exact opposite happens; accumulation of wealth, treasures, and riches either for itself or for its leaders-cum-prophets; then it’s no longer a church at all, but a well-organised business.
My opinion is that in today’s prosperity gospel churches there are more persuasive, alluring, beguiling and to some extent tempting sermons on seeding, offering, tithing, being blessed after “giving” and made rich, than there are on the need for salvation and eternal life.
In these prosperity gospel churches, a congregant pays for a seat at a venue or crusade. More “moola” for the VIP section. Payment is also made to see the pastor or to have special prayers and appointments. The figure is between $250 and $300. Discs with sermons, probably on seeding, giving and anything of or around that subject go for $5 each, but will be given away only on “special offer” or “promotion” at $2.
Barely two weeks ago, PHD Ministries Prophet Walter Magaya descended in Bulawayo at Highlanders Sports Club to “distribute his newly launched anointing oil” and to market his television station, Yadah TV, as well as to sell other “promotional products,” according to an official who declined to be named. Even United Family International Church founder Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa has his version of anointing oil.
The composition of the holy anointing is according to Exodus 30v23-24 which says that it contains “principal spices, 500 shekels of pure myrrh, and of 250 shekels sweet cinnamon and 250 shekels of sweet Calamus.” Verse 25 stresses that such will be called the anointing oil.
In this regard, any other funny mixture or lubricant being sold at black markets and in other churches which is being likened to the biblical one, and one which is not composed in the fashion described above is NOT anointing oil, and must not be named such, in my view.
Rather, I believe it should be given another name. The reason is that in the bible there is no indication that the oil or the ingredients had any supernatural power. Rather, the strictness of the guidelines for creating the oil was a test of the obedience of the Israelites and a demonstration of the absolute holiness of God. Moreover, three times it is called the “holy, anointing oil,” and the Jews were “strictly” forbidden from reproducing it for personal use (Exodus 30:32-33).
Precisely, there are two scriptures in the New Testament which point to the doctrine of healing the sick through anointing them with oil, and not the holy anointing oil. We can draw our conclusions from context.
In Mark 6:13, the disciples anoint the sick and heal them. In Mark 14:3-9, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet as an act of worship. In James 5:14, the church elders anoint the sick with oil for healing. In Hebrews 1:8-9, God says to Christ as
He returns triumphantly to heaven: “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,” and God anoints Jesus “with the oil of gladness.”
There is nothing in Scripture that commands, or even suggests, that we should use similar oil today.
The gospel of anointing oil having some powers not biblically originated is in dire need of a serious religious guidance as well as spiritual coaching.
It displays an utter lack of divine discipline and reeks of an errant waywardness. It tends to do the opposite of what is normal or acceptable. It lacks basic religious values.
B-Metro
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge . . .” reads the opening statement of the book of Hosea 4v6. What boggles the mind is the realisation of how ignorant of the scripture some Christians are. What makes one shiver is the poor, lame and wrong interpretation of the gospel by some self-proclaimed prophets, who have become powerful, prominent, influential and also “controversial” figures at the top echelons of the now renowned and emerging religious denominations.
The church is not there primarily to maximise profits. Neither is it to buy and sell. What happens in today’s church is in acute contrast to these basic, simple, rudimentary principles. If the exact opposite happens; accumulation of wealth, treasures, and riches either for itself or for its leaders-cum-prophets; then it’s no longer a church at all, but a well-organised business.
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| Anointing oil - who is fooling who. |
In these prosperity gospel churches, a congregant pays for a seat at a venue or crusade. More “moola” for the VIP section. Payment is also made to see the pastor or to have special prayers and appointments. The figure is between $250 and $300. Discs with sermons, probably on seeding, giving and anything of or around that subject go for $5 each, but will be given away only on “special offer” or “promotion” at $2.
Barely two weeks ago, PHD Ministries Prophet Walter Magaya descended in Bulawayo at Highlanders Sports Club to “distribute his newly launched anointing oil” and to market his television station, Yadah TV, as well as to sell other “promotional products,” according to an official who declined to be named. Even United Family International Church founder Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa has his version of anointing oil.
The composition of the holy anointing is according to Exodus 30v23-24 which says that it contains “principal spices, 500 shekels of pure myrrh, and of 250 shekels sweet cinnamon and 250 shekels of sweet Calamus.” Verse 25 stresses that such will be called the anointing oil.
In this regard, any other funny mixture or lubricant being sold at black markets and in other churches which is being likened to the biblical one, and one which is not composed in the fashion described above is NOT anointing oil, and must not be named such, in my view.
Rather, I believe it should be given another name. The reason is that in the bible there is no indication that the oil or the ingredients had any supernatural power. Rather, the strictness of the guidelines for creating the oil was a test of the obedience of the Israelites and a demonstration of the absolute holiness of God. Moreover, three times it is called the “holy, anointing oil,” and the Jews were “strictly” forbidden from reproducing it for personal use (Exodus 30:32-33).
Precisely, there are two scriptures in the New Testament which point to the doctrine of healing the sick through anointing them with oil, and not the holy anointing oil. We can draw our conclusions from context.
In Mark 6:13, the disciples anoint the sick and heal them. In Mark 14:3-9, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet as an act of worship. In James 5:14, the church elders anoint the sick with oil for healing. In Hebrews 1:8-9, God says to Christ as
He returns triumphantly to heaven: “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,” and God anoints Jesus “with the oil of gladness.”
There is nothing in Scripture that commands, or even suggests, that we should use similar oil today.
The gospel of anointing oil having some powers not biblically originated is in dire need of a serious religious guidance as well as spiritual coaching.
It displays an utter lack of divine discipline and reeks of an errant waywardness. It tends to do the opposite of what is normal or acceptable. It lacks basic religious values.
B-Metro
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