…say ‘we are not to judge anybody’
National President of Association of Christian Theologians, Prof. Olakunle Macaulay, at the weekend called for mutual coexistence among Christian leaders in the country, saying no church leader has the right to judge another over doctrines.
Macaulay, who spoke with our correspondent shortly after a national conference of the ACT in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, particularly deplored the way some Pentecostal churches indulge in launching attacks on the founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations, Pastor T.B. Joshua, over the issue of doctrines.
Macaulay said, “It is unbiblical for any Christian sect to be attacking another over the issue of doctrine, as only God can judge both the Christians and their leaders. It is not for anybody to assume that his own doctrine is superior to the other’s, for any reason.
“As such, the ACT sees nothing wrong in the ways Pastor T.B Joshua conducts his services as it is not for us to judge. We teach the doctrines of Christ in our theology schools and universities, and they are not designed after the creed of any particular church, but after the Bible, which is the word of God.
“So it is not proper for anyone to condemn TB Joshua over doctrines or on miracles in his church, because the Bible has asked us not to judge anybody so that we are not judged,” he counselled.
Macaulay, who is the Director of Studies at the United Bible University, Lagos, reiterated his stance against the interference of the National Universities Commission with the affairs of theology-based institutions.
“I have been talking about it for a long time. I will want Nigerians and the whole world to know that if the Nigerian government embraces God today, that government will have the right to control religion.
“But a nation that talks about secularity, which is an exclusion of faith, does not have the right to control faith and what it takes. SO, NUC is a commission of the secular government. So, religious or faith-based education cannot be controlled by NUC, simple.
“I will, as such, encourage producers of theological education to submit to any commission that respects and embraces God,” he urged.
The octogenarian also advised President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure fairness and justice in handling ethno-sensitive issues saying the country could not afford to go through the plunder of war again.
He also urged the Federal Government to show more commitment to revamping the economy through industrialization, and job provision.
“Also, the government should cater to the welfare of the citizenry, especially the aged ones, who have practically totally neglected,” he advised.
