Review of Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa
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Cecil Ebere
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Review of Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa
[Following is a volunteer review of "Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa" by Elijah Oladimeji.]
The concept of religion,with its immense influence on man,remains a subject of keen interest to man from ancient times to the era of first light of modern civilization. It has thus remained a powerful tool in the hands of those who,through some divine avenue or ability,mysticism,some philosophical insight,or esoteric learning,have come to understand its reality and nature.I reckon Elijah Oladimeji,the writer of the book Jesus,Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa,as one of those who can be conveniently placed in the aforementioned group.A ten-chapter book,simple yet profound, Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa,expounds the meaning, value and tenacious survival of Christianity in Africa,Nigeria in particular. In it, Elijah writes on the fundamental christian experience,the divine rebirth,otherwise known as born again;the problem of poverty in Africa(with pertinent reference to the veritable relationship between practical religion and the economic situation of the believer);the hidden problems of pastors;the parallelisms and analogies - as well as the dissimilarities and incompatibilities - of Christianity and the traditional religions of Africans;and the need for a change in the lives of all who profess Christ Jesus as their saviour.This book affirms,what is to the author,the undeniable truth that a believer has(or should have)everything in him(and with him)to live a blessed life in body,soul, and spirit.The writer uses bible quotations to support his exegesis and clarify his stand on some debatable christian practices,one of which is the controversial issue of the rightness of tithing by the new testament believer.
I believe there are very few books that combine the features of genres of literature in a single work to produce and achieve excellence,coherence and beauty.The writer makes use of poetry and drama in his narrative.It is very grand and captivating:the songs(some of which are sung in the Yoruba language,with their interpretation given)depict the language and culture of the writer's people,while the drama - a setting of dialogues - reveals the practical ways Africans feel,how they interact with one another on religious matters and handle family conflicts. Apart from that, another aspect of this book that pleases me is that,the writer,while buttressing the genuineness of the christian religion,does not condemn other religions. He sticks to his point,and does that without sounding self-righteous.
However,the scope of this book is rather too small to justify the appropriateness of its title as that which would holistically address Africa as a continent.Truth to tell,this book does say things about some selected African countries,but that is done in bits and pieces - unlike the richness of its explications when the focus is on Nigeria. This is what I dislike about this book.
I did not encounter any errors in this book.The writer has his own unique way of writing,a way peculiar to the nature of the book written.This shows a satisfactory editing done with a background knowledge of the people,events and issues discussed in this book.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.This is because,it is spiritually edifying and full of challenging verifiable truths.Moreover,the illustrations are practically helpful.
I recommend this book to religious leaders,not just to christian leaders(pastors, deacons,Rev fathers...)but also to religious leaders in other religions.Theologians, sociologists, psychologists and,most importantly,all christians who want to attain perfection of knowledge of blessings in Christianity are in the group that I recommend this book to. Religious fanatics and zealots may not consider this book useful. So I do not recommend it to persons with radical religious beliefs.
******
Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The concept of religion,with its immense influence on man,remains a subject of keen interest to man from ancient times to the era of first light of modern civilization. It has thus remained a powerful tool in the hands of those who,through some divine avenue or ability,mysticism,some philosophical insight,or esoteric learning,have come to understand its reality and nature.I reckon Elijah Oladimeji,the writer of the book Jesus,Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa,as one of those who can be conveniently placed in the aforementioned group.A ten-chapter book,simple yet profound, Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa,expounds the meaning, value and tenacious survival of Christianity in Africa,Nigeria in particular. In it, Elijah writes on the fundamental christian experience,the divine rebirth,otherwise known as born again;the problem of poverty in Africa(with pertinent reference to the veritable relationship between practical religion and the economic situation of the believer);the hidden problems of pastors;the parallelisms and analogies - as well as the dissimilarities and incompatibilities - of Christianity and the traditional religions of Africans;and the need for a change in the lives of all who profess Christ Jesus as their saviour.This book affirms,what is to the author,the undeniable truth that a believer has(or should have)everything in him(and with him)to live a blessed life in body,soul, and spirit.The writer uses bible quotations to support his exegesis and clarify his stand on some debatable christian practices,one of which is the controversial issue of the rightness of tithing by the new testament believer.
I believe there are very few books that combine the features of genres of literature in a single work to produce and achieve excellence,coherence and beauty.The writer makes use of poetry and drama in his narrative.It is very grand and captivating:the songs(some of which are sung in the Yoruba language,with their interpretation given)depict the language and culture of the writer's people,while the drama - a setting of dialogues - reveals the practical ways Africans feel,how they interact with one another on religious matters and handle family conflicts. Apart from that, another aspect of this book that pleases me is that,the writer,while buttressing the genuineness of the christian religion,does not condemn other religions. He sticks to his point,and does that without sounding self-righteous.
However,the scope of this book is rather too small to justify the appropriateness of its title as that which would holistically address Africa as a continent.Truth to tell,this book does say things about some selected African countries,but that is done in bits and pieces - unlike the richness of its explications when the focus is on Nigeria. This is what I dislike about this book.
I did not encounter any errors in this book.The writer has his own unique way of writing,a way peculiar to the nature of the book written.This shows a satisfactory editing done with a background knowledge of the people,events and issues discussed in this book.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.This is because,it is spiritually edifying and full of challenging verifiable truths.Moreover,the illustrations are practically helpful.
I recommend this book to religious leaders,not just to christian leaders(pastors, deacons,Rev fathers...)but also to religious leaders in other religions.Theologians, sociologists, psychologists and,most importantly,all christians who want to attain perfection of knowledge of blessings in Christianity are in the group that I recommend this book to. Religious fanatics and zealots may not consider this book useful. So I do not recommend it to persons with radical religious beliefs.
******
Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Killing Abel by Michael Tieman
