Why & How to Evolve Christian Influence in African Politics

By Barry Wugale

About the Book
African Christian leaders and preachers have over the years made politics seem like a photographer’s darkroom, containing monstrous images. The average African Christian has been directed away from active participation in politics. This book demystifies the myths and imaginary fears instilled in African Christians about politics. It starts by showing the similarities between Christian Theology and Political Science as branches of social science. It shows why and how Christianity should contribute to societal organisation, transformation and development.
The author makes use of African story telling power, creative writing skill and biblical exegesis to introduce the readers into very knotty subject matter: Christianity and Politics. It is a topic which the majority of African preachers avoid and so there are limited materials on the subject. There is a scarcity of literature to inspire African Christians to rise and make decisions on their socio-economic destinies. To write such material is seen as political, secular or non-spiritual. In this work the author brings his bluntness of activism and passion for transformation to bear. This book delves into the ‘darkroom’ of politics and uses the light of the Bible to illuminate the African political terrain. Written for mass consumption, this book will bring a radical shift in the African Christian Movement.
The book espouses that politics is the culmination of activity, intellectual capital and skill. It should be used to address chaos in human societies; the aim of true politics is to remove the constraints that inhibit the progress of people in a given community or society. This work relates this to the fact that God is a problem solver. African churches must stand up and address the disorganisation and turmoil around them. This book shows why and how it should be done.
Author’s Profile

Barry Wugale is an Ogoni, from the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. He was born on the 7th of June 1972. Wugale has a multi-disciplinary educational background, having studied Christian Education, International Environmental Law, Journalism, Creative Writing and Environmental Education and Development Practice (EETDP).
He is an accomplished environmental and human rights activist with over two decades of involvement in advocacy for the upliftment of mining communities. He is passionate about socio-economic transformation through social entrepreneurial projects and is an ardent advocate of accountable and transparent governance. He spent most of his life campaigning to change the face of poverty in Africa, especially within communities where extractive activities occur.
As a Pastor of the Altar of Liberation and Coordinator of Hands of Nehemiah Ministry, Wugale is a called teacher of the word of God and a gifted expository teacher of the Bible. He highlights biblical truths and principles in his teaching in order to provide inspiration and insight to help address personal, familial and professional challenges. His goal is for Christian principles to influence and drive politics and social transformation.
Wugale is also a Sustainable Development Consultant. His special interest is in the facilitation of catalytic projects that translate into economic corridor development. A prolific writer, he has flourished in many different genres including fiction, Christian polemics and political satire and parody. Wugale brings his skills, educational background, African narrative power and creativity into all his works. This book is just one of them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barry Wugale
• Release date: Jul 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005405359

Book preview

Why & How to Evolve Christian Influence in African Politics

Why & How to Evolve Christian Influence in African Politics

Barry Wugale

Copyright © 2021 Barry Wugale

First edition 2021

Published by Barry Wugale Publishing at Smashwords

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Barry Wugale using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Edited by Laura Grey for Reach Publishers

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.org

E-mail: [e-mail]

Barry Wugale

[e-mail]

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to Clergies, Activists, Politicians, Social Entrepreneurs, Agents of Change who are determined to liberate African from oppression and bad leadership.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgment

Abbreviations

Introduction

1 - Basics of Christian theology

1.1 Why this book?

1.2 Main branches of Christian theology

1.3 Tools and complementary Christian theologies

2 - Fundamentals of Political Science

2.1 How political science defines ‘politics’

2.2 Politics and your salvation

2.3 Christianity and courage for transformation

3 - Whose Political Ideology Rules Africa?

3.1 Why the paradigm must shift

3.2 Main divisions of political science

3.3 Approaches of political science

3.4 Why the sons of the world are ‘wiser’

4 - Christians are the Salt and Light of Societies

4.1 Presumptions of political science

4.2 Areas of common focus

4.3 Christians are saved to serve

5 - Time to Look into the Mirror of Society

5.1 The why and how questions

5.2 Problem of traditional Christian theology

5.3 The state of Christian theology

6 - Let’s Deal With the Main Issue

6.1 Misconception of politics

6.2 What are theories without practical actions?

7 - How Real is Politico Phobia in African Churches?

7.1 The phobia of politics

7.2 Influence and participation

7.3 Biblical pattern of political influence

8 - African Humanity, Christianity and National Development

8.1 Beliefs and politics

8.2 African spirituality

8.3 Components of African humanity

8.4 How the tripod of African humanity works

9 - Christianity Can Reclaim African Humanity

9.1 Flag independence and African humanity

9.2 Nation of African believers

9.3 Theology of development

Conclusion

About the Author

Back to Table of Contents

Acknowledgment

I thank God Almighty for blessing me with the gift of writing, and for the grace to have walked the road of activism for almost twenty-five years. Without God I would not have been alive to share the knowledge contained in this book. I appreciate the Holy Spirit for breathing into my heart and for giving me the ability to articulate the ideas contained in this book. I am humbled because of the way the Holy Spirit led me into a new trajectory: to make my contribute towards the development of African Christian intellectualism.

I cannot appreciate my wife enough, Pastor (Mrs.) Dorathy Leyereue Barry had been standing by me in the last twenty-two years despite all our challenges. Without her support I would have possibly abandoned activism. My sincere appreciation goes to Dr. Julie Koppel-Maldonado, my friend and sister. She and her husband Phil Maldonado made financially contributions that enabled the publishing of my books. To them, I remain eternally grateful. This couple has proven that neither distance nor color could diminish sincere love. I remain ever humbled and loyal to my mentor, Rev. Evang. Eko Joe Nwikonzor of the Ascension Apostolic Church and, Prof. Egba Sunday Awo, my teacher and mentor in Christian Theology and Discipleship. I appreciate Professor Kolade Arugundade, whom I have known since his days as a Master’s student. We share common intellectual persuasion about Nigeria and Africa. He always provides great analysis about my works.

I cannot thank Pastor John Eze adequately for all his support, as my assistant and resident Pastor of Altar of Liberation he has shown great faith in my ministry. His critical views and support always come handy for me to plan. His advice and encouragement made the structures of this and other books to be well brewed.

In the same vein, my appreciation goes to the team at Reach Publishers, Warren the CEO, Allison Parle the Sales Manager, Coleen McCann, Sally Veenman, Laura and Tony, Tonya-Dee and her team for taking time to design and redesign this book. I am equally grateful to the media team that has been assisting to promote my works on social media.

I thank the members of Altar of Liberation in Cape Town and members of our ministry in Benin Republic who has been praying for this project on daily basis. I must mention Joel Koneedam, Bariyiga Wisdom, Friday Kpadee, Ledee Kanee, Mercy Kanee, Dorcas Neegbo, Pastor Nwika Nu-ue, Lergbor Saale and Lebura Saale.

Back to Table of Contents

Abbreviations

AEF Afrique Équatoriale Française

Aids Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

ANC African National Congress

CEMAC Central African Economic and Monetary Community

AOF Afrique Occidentale Française

BRICS Brazil, Russia, China, India and South Africa

EFF Economic Freedom Front

EFSA Ecumenical Foundation of Southern Africa

GDP Gross Domestic Product

HIV Human Immune Virus

ILRIG International Labour Research and Information Group

NKJV New King James Version

PAC Pan Africanists Congress

PLC Public Liability Company

SANNC South African Natives National Congress

UDF United Democratic Front

UWC University of Western Cape

WAEMU West African Economic and Monetary Union

Back to Table of Contents

Introduction

In almost all African cultures, very important topics or issues are introduced with stories, parables or proverbs. Politics is a controversial topic because everybody has an opinion on it. Politics is a very sensitive topic. In Africa, when you bring politics and religion together, people become hypersensitive and very emotional. It is thus apt to use this story that happened somewhere in the continent as an ice breaker.

According to the story, a group of Christian clergies and leaders decided to pray for their country. They also concluded that it would not be a bad idea to extend their prayers to the rest of the African nations; after all, other countries in the continent were plagued by the same fate as theirs. They went away from cities and modern amenities to avoid distractions. They were tired of the endless stories of wars, diseases, electoral crises and poverty in Africa. They were angry about the negative publicity that Africa received in international media. The burden caused them to take the decision to seek the face of God. Determined to get answers from God, they made up their minds to pray fervently. The initiators of the prayer conference carefully screened and laid down stringent rules for participants, which everyone committed to abide by. It was the kind of prayers that Charismatic churches call ‘Pray Until Something Happens’ (PUSH). The participants must commit to ‘push’ God to liberate Africa. The theme of the meeting was "God Must Restore the Glory of Africa."

It was a 40-day prayer and fasting conference. But on day 21, something happened. One of the clergies, a stout fellow who had been sitting at the back of the hall away from others caught a vision. He had spoken to no one just as others had not disturbed him. If he was actually praying others could not tell, but in line with one of the rules, nobody touched him. He was not distracted, and he fell into trance.

In the vision, he was in an enamelled hall where a panel of Angels was seated. The immaculateness of the hall was incomparable to any auditorium that he had ever seen on earth. He saw those in the prayer conference with him. He also saw hundreds of other Christian clergies who were not part of their own prayer programme. It was like a major conference being held in heaven. Church leaders from all African countries were present. The flags of all the countries were hoisted. Even the flags of territories fighting for self-determination; except that the flags of inchoate nations lay on a table that was beside the main table. The phrase ‘still-in-view’ was engraved on a bronze plate placed on the table with the flags of the nations that had not gained independence. Besides the Christian leaders, there was an array of African political leaders, intellectuals, academics and other professionals. The lead Angel welcomed all of them and told them that they had been summoned to the meeting because of the prayer conference. The man felt elated. It was a good thing that the host of heaven had considered their petitions.

The Angel said the prayer conference which the man in the trance was attending, had made the host of heaven to recall all the prayers and petitions ever made for Africa. The Angel told them that similar prayers were going on around the continent at the same moment. It was only then that the man saw another table with heaps of files with the tag ‘pending prayer requests from African leaders’. The clergy in the trance was shocked because when he looked closely, he saw that one of the files was of prayers made some three decades before.

The lead Angel paid no attention to the stout looking clergy. The lead Angel was busy as Angels could be. He waved his angelic hand and a big screen appeared. The man could see an ocean of African Christians calling on God to deliver the continent from oppression and poverty. He recognised some great pastors who had died in faith before he became a Christian. They also prayed the same prayer which he and his colleagues were currently praying. What they saw on the screen made them rejoice. The hall was agog with clapping and praises. But while the euphoria was still on, the Angel motioned to them to be still. The screen turned off with just a motion. He announced to them that none of the requests before their time or during their time were ever granted. They were all shocked.

After a very long silence, one of the charismatic preachers managed to summon courage to ask the Angel what the reason was. The Angel said because there was no need for the prayers. Secondly, they were asking for something that had been granted to them from the foundation of the earth. There was silence again. This time it was a leader from a traditional or mainline church who decided to break the silence. He asked the Angel how come Africa was experiencing such socioeconomic calamity if the continent was answered from the foundation of the world.

The Angel said the answers to that question lay within the political class and Christian leaders. They all looked at each other with suspicion. With the help of the spiritual ambience, there was a collective epiphany and without speaking a word, they got the message. They accused each other through telepathy. The church leaders blamed the political leaders for their insincerity, while the political leaders blamed the church leaders for their lack of involvement. There was palpable tension, mutual hatred and anger against each other that even the Angels couldn’t stand the bad vibe in the hall. So, being an excellent moderator, the lead Angel stepped in. He knew that they had gotten the message: the problem of Africa was that Christianity and politics had not been working together. The Angel said they would hold a workshop and thereafter, both sides would have a discourse on how