A
frequently raised objection against Christian engagement with politics is that
anything besides explicit preaching and teaching of the Bible is a distraction
from the mission of the church. But, to a clerical intellect like Apostle
Johnson Suleman, this is a limited understanding of the kingdom of God and
contrary to examples in Scripture.
Thus
far, the Edo State, Nigerian born pastor’s innovative and sustained
contributions at the societal level, suggests the Christian worldview provides
a comprehensive understanding of reality, as he grasps at every opportunity
available to speak to all areas of life, including political engagement. Of
course, he is not drifted, for the Bible speaks about civil government and
provides examples of faithful engagement.
Between
when he held the last two day ‘Open Heavens’ crusade in Dublin Ireland on Tuesday
9th and Wednesday 10th of July, 2019, Suleman aired his views on vital national
issues, underlining reasons Christians have a duty to care about politics, in
particular.
It
is relevant to note that Apostle Suleman is not just a preaching pastor; he is
also a working pastor. He is an entrepreneur, an owner of high-potential
businesses that provide jobs and contribute to economic growth. Outside the church
podium, Suleman runs vast business enterprises in real estate, oil and gas, banking,
media, mining, hospitality. This places him in good stead to speak on politics
and policies of government because he is in the league of people, the
entrepreneurs, who make creative leaps to help the government solve problems,
unemployment being a major one.
Suleman,
who is the president of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, recently on
his social media handles, did speak on a number of issues affecting the polity.
Though his views are focused primarily on security, they are holistic messages
with implications for all areas of life, including how Christians engage the
political process.
Apostle
Suleman shared deep thoughts on the government-initiated but suspended Rural
Gracing Area (RUGA) initiative, the attacks by herdsmen on communities outside
their geographical regions, the reported Islamization agenda by the government
of the day, the high taxation narrative, and more. The servant of God stressed an
instance when his church suffered victim of the herdsmen’s impunity. He told
how his church headquarters in Auchi was invaded by four wandering Fulani
herders who were arrested by church members but were reportedly made to escape
from the police custody the next day.
Government derives its authority from God, to promote good
and restrain evil. This mandate is expressly stated in the Holy Book, Romans
13:1-7. In Apostle Suleman’s words, good government encourages an environment
conducive for people living peaceably, whereas bad government fosters unrest
and instability.
As
he moves the next two-day ‘Open Heavens’ conference to London on Tuesday, July
30, 2019, the firebrand minister of God maintains that Christian leaders must
be resolute against the political challenge in Nigeria and elsewhere, as withdrawal
opens a moral vacuum liable to influence political leaders to move outside the scope
of righteous governing assigned to them. Therefore, because of what the Bible
teaches and the inevitability of its effect on people’s beliefs, Christians
must care about politics.
-Abiodun Ishola
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