When Curses and Oil Replace the Gospel: The Return of Old Practices
Drawn from the teaching of Professor Gary S. Maxey · 2 min read
Professor Gary Maxey asks a question many Nigerians avoid. Has something from African Traditional Religion crept back into the church, wearing Bible verses as clothing?
What he sees
In his book on why revival tarries, Professor Maxey says we must renounce the infiltration of the mentality and practices of African Traditional Religion that have arisen within the church. He is concrete. Who would have guessed a generation ago that gatherings of thousands of Christians would be told to rain down curses on their enemies, presumably in the name of Jesus? Who would have guessed that people would be told ordinary olive oil is "the Holy Ghost in a bottle"? Who would have guessed they would pompously decree and command instead of humbly petitioning a loving Father?
He says ATR is creeping back into the lives and practices of the church, often cloaked with Bible verses.
Why he calls it the same problem
His analysis is that the focus has subtly shifted from a sovereign, loving and all-powerful God to ourselves. He explains that ATR has always been about human health, survival, prosperity and longevity. He sees similar lessons in the Word of Faith movement. In both, he says, it is all about me.
What this has to do with revival
Professor Maxey argues that revival begins with a sense of need and conviction of sin. A religion built around gaining control of our circumstances works against both. It trains people to approach God as a source of results, and not as a holy Person.
A fair way to hold the issue
Professor Maxey writes as a church leader to the church. He does not describe unbelievers. He is not mocking traditions from which many came to Christ. He is asking the church whether it still depends on Christ alone.
Questions for a leader
What do we tell people to do with oil, water, cloth or words? Does the practice point to Christ or to the object? Is there anything we do that we would need to defend with Bible verses we first had to search for?
A small step
Review the practices in your own church or home this month. Remove the one you cannot explain from the Bible alone. Replace it with a plain prayer to the Father in Jesus' name.
Drawn from the teaching of Professor Gary S. Maxey.
