Author: Deji Okegbile

“THE BEST OF ALL …” John Wesley, 228 Years After.

“THE BEST OF ALL …” John Wesley, 228 Years After.

Posted by | Mar 2, 2019 | , , |

On this day 2nd March 1791, Methodist founder, Rev John Wesley aged 88 died at his house in London following a final five day illness. He sang a final hymn “I ‘II Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath” and his reported final words were “Best of all is, God is with us.” Before his death, Wesley’s ministry did not only re-energised and transformed the expression of Christian faith in Britain and the world as his parish, ‘the country-wide character of his pastoral and preaching activity generated enthusiasm and helped raise the Methodist profile.’ One of the favourites hymns of...

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Religion and Democracy in a Divided and Corrupt World: A Call to Nigerian Elites.

Religion and Democracy in a Divided and Corrupt World: A Call to Nigerian Elites.

Posted by | Mar 1, 2019 | , |

Democracy is the power of equal votes for unequal minds – Charles 1 of England. Reflecting on the words of Jimmy Carter, a former President of United State of America, America is no longer the only nation that has no functioning democracy. It is the rest of the world. Following the lies that were perpetuated before and after the last American Presidential election that produced President Donald Trump, the turmoil before and after the Brexit vote, the revolt in Zimbabwe, Egypt, Spain and other places, it is clear that the world is increasingly guided by malfunctioning and divisive religion...

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JOHN WESLEY, 310 YEARS AFTER: “A BRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE FIRE.”

JOHN WESLEY, 310 YEARS AFTER: “A BRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE FIRE.”

Posted by | Feb 28, 2019 | , |

God uses different influences to shape us into His vessels. For John Wesley, a co-founder of Methodism and Holiness movement, he was shaped by tragedy and grace. Richard Bewes in the book he compiled, Wesley Country: A Pictorial History based on John Wesley’s Journal explained that, ‘the Great movements for world evangelism have never sprung from appointed committees. In any generation a flame can be lit in the heart of an individual, a Wesley, a Whitefield… and society feels the difference.’ The physical flame of fire on the old parsonage at Epworth on the cold midnight of February 9,...

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BEING OTHER-CENTRED: REVERSING THE VALUES IN TODAY’S CULTURE.

BEING OTHER-CENTRED: REVERSING THE VALUES IN TODAY’S CULTURE.

Posted by | Feb 24, 2019 | , , , |

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly – Luke 6:27 Jesus’ statement above shows the theme of his core teaching and missional practices. This statement in a more positive way resonates with the Golden Rule “Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you.” Jesus’ teaching especially in relation to our ‘enemies’ is not beyond our capacity. The world and even the church is going through an increasing process of hatred and retaliation in a never-ending spiral of...

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NIGERIAN POLITICS AND ETHNICITY

NIGERIAN POLITICS AND ETHNICITY

Posted by | Feb 22, 2019 | , |

Ethnicity is one of the keys to understanding Nigeria’s pluralistic society. Nigeria before the arrival of the British was not just a multiplicity of pagan and traditional thrives, but a number of great kingdoms which had evolved complex systems of government, independent of contact with Europe. Before the British Government formally took over the administration of Nigeria on 1st January, 1900 and ruled till 1st October, 1960, there were over 300 ethnic groups with three major and most populous ethnic groups namely – Hausas,/Fulanis, Ibos, Yorubas. There are over 500 languages, and the variety of customs, and traditions among them...

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