Opinion
Common Trends In Christianity
The technological advancement in its wake has a great
deal of influence on Christianity. The more scientific-oriented and educated the world becomes, the more it gets estranged from God. It is not unusual to hear people say that their Christianity is in their hearts. As such, they have the form of godliness but deny the power thereof.
The contemporary Christian is in a dilemma of choosing between old time and modern time Christianity. The argument is that classification of Christianity creates room for choice and it stratifies Christianity into class system which was lamented by Karl Mar, the socialist.
The modern Christians, from their behaviour, seems to be of the opinion that the commandments of God are not to be obeyed strictly by the educated, the accomplished and the wealthy in the society. To the modern Christians, old time or classical Christianity seems to denote the traditional, outdated, out of fashion, primitive and old Christian living. So, when a Christian is modest in dressing, soft spoken, gentle, wears a natural look, refuses to cheat in exams, shun immoral relationship, and rejects all other unscriptural behaviours, he is referred to as a classical or an old time Christian.
On the contrary, when a Christian wears a trendy hair-do, clad in a global designer’s wear, boisterous and outspoken, cheats in exams, have immoral relationships and indulges in sin, he is a modern Christian. The basis for this classification is deduced from their behaviour. There is also the argument that once a person raises up his hands for altar call, his name is forthwith written in the book of life, and that God is a loving father, He cannot write a person’s name in the book of life and erase it. Moreover that the Omniscience of God makes it possible for Him to avoid writing the names of those who will eventually be lost in the book of life. So, since the names of Christians are undeniably written in the book of life, even if they sin, God cannot cast them away because they will surely repent. Another name for this argument is eternal security.
The above argument gets the people confused as to which way to follow. In fact, there are modern churches which back up these arguments with high level praise worship, messages that revolve round prosperity and God’s love. For these modern churches, they do not want to make people sad with their messages, because in the presence of God, there is liberty and fullness of joy.
They don’t preach against sin, although altar calls are always made to launch people into the realm of excellence and prosperity. But there is no need to be confused because the word of God cannot be broken. Exodus 32:33 states: “And God said unto Moses, whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book”. Ezekiel 3:20 reaffirms categorically saying: “Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die …”. Rev. 22:18 states that “… if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book”. These scriptures in quote, are targeted at the born-again Christians who indulge in sin including ministers, pastors, overseers and Christians who refuse to preach against sin because they dread making people sad. They will have their lot in damnation according to Revelation 21:20.
The broad and liberal theology being pushed today is a modern plague that can’t even comfort those who preach it. We have too many false prophets in the pulpit who are clever deceivers. They try to absolve sin by painting it all over with a gray brush. To them nobody is right and nobody is wrong. Everybody is going to be saved; God loves everybody; sin is just inhospitality or hatred toward your fellow man.
But these same “sin silencers” share with all sinners the same inner gnawing, the same sense of guilt and corruption. They leave the loneliness, emptiness and despair out of their calculations. They can try to make a sinner comfortable with his sin, but they can’t provide him with lasting rest and peace. They can’t quiet the deep inner voice that cries, “in spite of it all, you are still guilty”.
The modern church with its kitchen and parlor, with its club and gymnasium, and with its ministries to the flesh and to the world is both suggestive and alarming.
The original church is faithfully spiritual. The original church is not entangled with the wild and noisy music with the dances which foster desires or inclinations which are not spiritual and did not minister to the soul’s progress.
We might as well add to the list of heavenly helpers, the skating rink, calisthenics and the gymnasium. People are allowed to club, enjoy social gathering or play parlor games with the deception which degrade holiness by calling and making these things the rightful and easiest approaches for evangelism that feed the spiritual lives of the people.
Please, suffice it to say that Christianity is not religion, neither a play of religion but the life of Christ miraculously produced in the whole being of an individual and that ecumenism may lead to compromise if the strange fire (s) are not extinguished completely from the worship and or services for God.
So, the path left for a sincere seeker is to repent of every known sin, refuse every form of watered down gospel clad in disguise of prosperity messages and dissociate from worshippers having itching ears to the true gospel (2 Timothy 4: 3, 4).
Consequently, sincere seekers must receive hard core sound messages on Bible doctrines and God’s commandments, reaffirm the word by preaching it “… be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 2:2).
Apart from receiving sound gospel, those who worship God in spirit and in truth should resist false doctrines and all their propellers. Make sure they live the risen life, having holiness of life as an armour. Sincere seekers should not forget to read and meditate on God’s word. Remember that your spending eternity with God in heave is conditional” if you continue in the faith … (Colossian 1: 23.)
In conclusion, it is better for you to obey God’s word absolutely without reservation, ignoring the human classification because it is the word of God that will matter in the end. I wish you safe journey to heaven as you follow the scriptural pilgrims pathway.
Derefaka writes from Port Harcourt.
Tamunoseimieibi Derefaka
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Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
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