How do you see these issues?
First it is important that we approach them dispassionately and look at the scriptures without necessarily being emotional and sentimental. Martin Luther; one of the first set of men to question the Church as it was then constituted did it with a sense of purpose and was largely inspired by what he saw in the scriptures. One of the issues that Luther tackled was the issue of paying penance for sins committed. Today, churches don’t pay penance for sins again because of that one-man revolution.
Luther fought without starting his own church. He only spearheaded a dissent from the old order. Those who followed him started the Lutheran church. The persecution he suffered are better imagine. Some in his ilk paid with their lives.
So, if people like William Tyndale was killed for daring to translate the New Testament of the Bible to English; then what is happening around us today is not something to fret about. But on what basis are these traditions being questioned? Are they justified? Are we not being unduly emotional and carried away by the bandwagon spirit? Who has the final say over faith matters: Fathers in the Lord or the Bible? Why do we suddenly go for the broke when people puncture our jealously protected practices instead of responding intelligently as the spirit gives us utterance? The apostles had cause to argue and hold opposing views about circumcision until they had a summit in Jerusalem where they resolved the issues and gave order that the gentile nations should not be bothered about Circumcision. If the Apostles had a summit is it not important that we have a summit too?
Well, the more reason we think you need to attend the 10th anniversary colloquium of Church Times Nigeria. It will attract some of the best in the church arena. The main speaker at this colloquium is Prof. Duro Adegboye, an erudite scholar, a well sought-after speaker, former dean of Faculty of Science, Ahmadu Bello University, President, Gospel Unlimited, Offa, Kwara State. He has been in ministry for over 50 years and parades an unusual grace for teaching. He will be dissecting the topic; The church in a changing world; issues and perspective. He will be supported by Dr. Gary Maxey, founder West Africa Theological Seminary.
Gary is an American who has been in Nigeria for well over 30 years. He will look at the church from a clinical theological perspective. Dr. Francis Akin Bola John, President, International Church Growth Ministry will also be on hand to lend his voice to the deliberation. Akin John is a church clinician with insight about the church world. His wealth of experience in Africa, Europe and Asia would be brought to bear in the colloquium.
The event will also be privileged to have the duo of Rev Ladi Thompson and Pastor Olatokunbo Odunuga. Rev Thompson has been on the spiritual war front in Nigeria for well over three decades. He is the initiator of Macedonia Initiative and General Overseer of Living Waters Unlimited. He has radical views which sometimes makes one marvel. His passion for kingdom projects is outstanding. His presence will certainly add colour to the event.
The event is also blessed to have the consent of Pastor Olatokunbo Odunuga of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Odunuga is a rare gift in the Body of Christ, blessed with great insight. His balanced views on knotty issues has a way of disarming the heady. He has graciously agreed to be part of the one-day event. It’s going to be a learning time.
Date: December 20, 2017
Time 11 am
Venue: Bible Guest House, Commonwealth Avenue, Ilupeju, Lagos.
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