At a high‑profile symposium in honour of Bishop Kingsley Obuh’s 50th Birthday Celebration convened by the Department of Religion, Practical Theology and Human Relations, Dennis Osadebey University, Asaba, Dr. Philomena Ofuafo, an erudite scholar and the Head of Department, delivered a forceful admonition to Christians globally. In a plenary address she warned that the intertwined forces of religious hypocrisy, doctrinal distortion, and the commodification of faith threaten the integrity of Christianity globaly.
Dr.Philomena cited recent surveys indicating a wide gap between professed Christian values and the public conduct of Christian Leaders and Church Administrators. “When pastors preach humility while amassing private wealth, or when congregations turn a blind eye to corruption within their own ranks, the witness of the Gospel is irreparably damaged,”
Citing the proliferation of “prosperity gospel” sermons, the scholar stressed that such doctrines stray from the core tenets of Christ’s message. “Distorting the cross for personal gain or political agenda not only misleads believers, but also erodes the Christian foundations upon which the universal Church stands,”
Dr. Philomena however, highlighted the rising trend of charging exorbitant fees before seeing a pastor and selling of ministry materials as a primary source of income.
The symposium, attended by scholars, clergies, students and non‑governmental organization representatives, underscored the urgency of the issue for policymakers and development practitioners. According to Dr. Philomena he noted that they have established affiliation process with Dynamic Theological Seminary with the aim of proper academic collaboration with the said institution. As Nigeria grapples with socio‑economic challenges, the discourse on preserving the sanctity of the Gospel may soon transcend academic forums and shape national legislation.
