WHY IT IS NOT RIGHT TO CALL CHRISTIANITY AN ALIEN RELIGION

The Sunday Essay:

" ALIEN RELIGION," "FOREIGN RELIGION": WHY IT IS NOT RIGHT TO CALL CHRISTIANITY AN ALIEN RELIGION

*A Response to Professors Wole Soyinka, Chinweizu, Niyi Osundare, Femi Osofisan and Other "Cultured Despisers" of Religion

Moses Oludele Idowu

Introduction: *An Alien Religion*

In his widely publicised Open Letter to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu Gambari, the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka made reference to Christianity and Islam as "alien religions." Here is his exact words:

"This continent has endured centuries of disdain and despoilation at the hands of alien religions - Christianity and Islam at the forefront." He also speaks of the dehumanization of the black race and atrocities committed by these "alien spiritual dogma."

With this obnoxious tag he has said nothing new, he was only following a similar tradition in Nigerian scholarship and even public discourse. Several scholars have used the same and similar pejorative epithets to describe Christianity.

Niyi Osundare, celebrated poet in his book, *The Writer as the Righter , sees Christianity as "ally of imperialism." Chinweizu, radical pan - Africanist and firebrand scholar following in the footsteps of Walter Rodney sees Christianity as tools of enslavers to the black race. Ayo Olukotun in his column in the Punch newspaper once referred to Christianity as "foreign religion." Femi Osofisan agrees with this as well. Remi Oyeyemi was even more brutal and caustic as he calls Christianity "Euro- America slave religion" or something like that. These are eminent writers and professors ( except Remi Oyeyemi) and who can disagree with these eminent men of letters?

The late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi was more lenient as he describes Christianity (and possibly Islam too) as "guest faiths". In a speech delivered at 1st Brazil- Nigeria International Seminar to Preserve Cultural Heritage, held at Salvador/ Bahia, Brazil the revered monarch said:

" The parlous socio-economic conditions in Africa, a creation of neoliberal economic policies have continued to impoverish many African states. The guest faiths are therefore feeding on this to preach the gospel of individual prosperity and well- being on earth..." [ See Daily Sun, Jul.29, 2014. p.4 ]

Since he was a Muslim he could not be referring to Islam as guest faiths, obviously he was referring to Christianity.

I can go on and on but this sample is enough to make my case.

The question then is:

Is Christianity indeed an alien religion, foreign religion, a guest faith, imported religion or,- which is worse, - a tool of imperialism and the Western enslavers? If it is alien what makes it alien, foreign or guest?

By its contents, calling, founding, manners, teaching or what? How is foreignness to be defined or constructed? How is the concept of alienness or alienation to be understood? The Oxford Dictionary has some definitions of the word "foreign" that are amusing. One in particular says " something that should not be there".

The word "alien" is even worse for a religion. Here is what Oxford Dictionary defines it :

"Strange and frightening, different from what you are used to ... not usual or acceptable".

So the term foreign or alien religion also connotes unacceptability, strangeness. Not just alterity but also otherness are conveyed in these epithets with a profound sense of nostalgia and indifference if not violence.

This leads me to the question: "Can a religion be alien to the land of its birth?"

I must confess that I have carried this burden for a long time. I must also confess that I have a lot of respect for the men whose comments I have sampled and it is painful somehow for me to have to publicly disagree with their opinions. However, I am left with no choice because this issue must be addressed once and for all, one way or the other.

Is Christianity a foreign religion? Foreign to where and to who? It is my considered opinion that the eminent men whom I want to dignify as "cultured despisers" -- a phrase I have borrowed from Friedrich Schleiermacher - have not fully interrogated this issue.

It is my purpose in this essay to deconstruct the very idea of describing Christianity as alien religion, alien dogma, imported religion, guest faith etc. Christianity might be foreign or alien to certain cultures but not to Africa for as I will soon show Christianity was an African religion because Christianity has never been missing from Africa from the very beginning. How, then can such a religion be foreign to Africa and to an African?

In this quest I want to build my case on 12 fundamental pillars:

* The Abrahamic Factor

* The Moses Factor

* The Significance of Sinai

* The Jesus African Connection

* The Christ Manifesto/ Mandate

* Africans as Pioneers of Christianity

* The Notable Contributions of Africans to Early Christianity

* Christianity as a Universalising Narrative

* The Dynamic/ Cultural Elements of Christianity

* The Native Factor

* The Call of Indigenous Churches/ Prophets

* The Reality of Divine Visitation

* The Evidence of the Bible

1. The Abrahamic Factor

Christianity like Judaism from which it sprang ( and even Islam) are called Abrahamic religions. And rightly so because each religion lays claim to Abraham as its Father. Jacob the father of Israel nation was a grandson of Abraham; the Lord Jesus Christ was of the seed of Abraham and even Ishmael, the father of 12 Arab kingdoms from where Muhammad and Islam sprang is also a seed of Abraham through Hagar.

It is erroneous to call any religion that came through Abraham a foreign religion or alien religion in Africa. Abraham lived in Egypt and prospered there and even procreated with an Egyptian slave girl and also Keturah, an African woman after the death of Sarah. In the light of this an Abrahamic religion cannot be legally referred to as a foreign religion in the Land of Africa. It may be foreign or alien to other parts but not to Africa.

2. The Moses Factor

We cannot rightly talk of Christianity without its Judaic antecedents. Actually Christianity was once "a cult or segment of Judaism" and both early Christians and Jews worshiped together in the same Temple until 70 AD. That is why even today the Christian Scripture,, the Bible consist both Old & New Testament. The Old Testament Cannon of the Law was given to Moses and it is part and essential segment of Christianity because as Saint Paul says, "the law was given to bring us to Christ, to prepare the way for Christ."

Now who was Moses? In essential fact he was an African prince by birth, by residence, by training, by schooling, by upbringing and even by marriage. Except that he was of Jewish parentage, he was essentially an African.

If Moses was an Egyptian and therefore African and married to an Ethiopian/ Midianish woman how could Judeo- Christianity be foreign to Africa? Moses was more African than Jewish and was learned in the art of Egypt and never even stepped the Promised Land even once. If Judeo-Christianity is foreign or alien religion to Africa then Moses too was foreign and alien to Africa. That is a fallacy. A man cannot be foreign or alien to the land of his birth and residence and training.

3 *. The Significance of Sinai

In the light of (2) above, there was Sinai before Zion. Without Sinai there would be no Zion. That is why we often use the expression "judeo- Christian."
Why is Sinai so significant? At Sinai Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Judeo-Christianity appeared to an African prophet and few weeks later made His Appearance to his people in a pillar of fire and smoke. ( May all Glory and Honour be to Him that liveth forever and ever).

It was here that the Ten Commandments written with the fingers of God was given, the highest and most profound Moral Code ever given in any age and a principal document even in Christianity.

Now why is this important? Simple. Sinai is in Egypt, in Africa. The very first time that God appeared and men heard His Voice was in Africa - Sinai.

And one of the religions that came out of this Visitation is CHRISTIANITY. Isn't that obvious to anyone?

So when you say Christianity is an alien religion and they serve "foreign God" you are confusing issues. How can a religion be alien to the very land of its birth and revelation? How can the God Who appeared physically first on Sinai in Africa be alien or foreign to Africa?

I do not serve a foreign God, I serve God of the Living and the dead Who was in Africa before Africa and Who will be there after Africa. If there are any foreign gods they are probably the gods of Yorubaland - Ogun, Obatala, Ifa, Sango, Oya etc. These came much much later to Africa, long after Moses. I hope our scholars know the logical consequences and implications of some of the things they say. Because no one has taken them up before on some of the claims they make but when fully interrogated they may realise they are the ones who have to give way.

4. The Jesus African Connection

There is another major reason why it is wrong to describe Christianity especially as foreign religion in Africa: Jesus was in Africa. No, He didn't just visit, He lived here. Not just for one week or one month or year but for years. In actual fact He lived His most formative years in Africa - right from infanthood till he was a child.
There is no agreement as to the exact number of years Jesus spent in Egypt but it usually revolves around 4 to 8 years. Athanasius the bishop of Egypt believes it was 3 years possibly relying on earlier sources and traditions. Baronius believe Jesus stayed 8 years. Most scholars hover around these two figures.

There is now a plethora of studies in the field of psychology and behavioural- genetics showing that environment is crucial in determining a child's innate characteristics especially Socialisation - "the period when a child adopt culturally approved patterns of behaviour and end up behaving more alike." ( Harris 2000)

Psychologists now are agreed that a child's most formative years are between 3 or 4 and 8 years which are the most "critical for cognitive, social, emotional and physical development." ( UNICEF)
In the Providence of God these were the years Jesus spent in Africa. Professor Harris has demonstrated in a series of studies that both "language and accent" are developed and easily acquired during this period for a child. Could this be the reason why the Jews branded Jesus a Samaritan possibly because his accent was not really Jewish?

How, in the light of these can Christianity, a religion which crystallised around the Person and Divinity of Christ - the same Christ Who lived His formative years in Africa - be called a foreign religion, "an alien dogma" in the land of Africa?

I shall come back to Egypt later in this Apologia.

5. The Christ Mandate/ Manifesto

In His Manifesto to the world to declare His mission and Commission from the Father he made no mention of any tribe or nation or colour. He spoke to the entire Human Family. Quoting from Isaiah 61 he declares: -

" The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of prison to them that are bound...."

It is clear from the tenor of this message that no tribe is mentioned, no race is privileged above others, and none is excluded. He came to all men and His Commission is to all men.

Three and half years later when He was departing He restated the same Commission this time with clear and unmistakable details:.

" Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creatures, make disciples of nations, tongues and people..."

He excluded no one, He privileged no race. He was a friend of the poor and the destitute thus He could not have preferred one to the other. He moved with the poor but also gave space to the rich who are sincere enough to seek Him.
To call a religion around such a figure as "alien religion" is to do great violence to language and even truth.

Yes, it is true that certain votaries of Christianity have used the religion to perpetuate racism, white hegemony, wars, violence, cruelties and atrocities as Soyinka rightly noted but we are to judge Christianity by its message, founder, contents not by hypocrites who are looking for a medium to achieve their personal and national sinister purposes. Seditious and obnoxious materials, unutterable forms and unspeakable lies and propaganda have been turned out of the press that have led to wars, commotion and confusion over the years and centuries; but we do not blame Gutenberg the inventor of movable press for this. Guns have been used to steal, rob, rape, take government by unConstitutional means but no one blames Kalashnikov for it? And we must blame Christ and His "alien religion" for atrocities to our Continent committed by people who neither knew Him nor understood even the Message?

And come to think of it, is the African Traditional Religion free of those atrocities to our Continent and its peoples? How many subjects, Africans were sacrificed to gods that cannot speak nor hear during rituals? How many were sacrificed as accompaniment at the departure of a king? We are talking of a religion that allows kings and chieftains to sell and exchange their own subjects and citizens for a piece of mirror, and trifles like trinkets and gun powder. Is there any atrocities worse than these by so- called indigenous religions? Prof, I beg you not to open that can and do not go there, you may have more to apologise for on behalf of native religions than even Christianity, the so- called "alien religion."

6. Africans as Pioneers of Christianity

Another major reason why it is not right to call Christianity an alien religion in Africa is because Africans were pioneers, stakeholders and foundation charter members who enrolled in the very day Christianity was founded. They didn't join as inferiors or underdogs but as equals, stakeholders like others from the nations.

Christianity was officially born on the Day of Pentecost, a period during which Jews from all over the world usually gathered for the Feast at Jerusalem.

We are told that after Peter preached that day about 3000 enrolled in the new faith. Dr. Luke tells us the composition of this new membership in his narrative and it is this that interests us:

Acts 2:9-11:

"Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
" Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, "Jews and proselytes,
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God."

So Egyptians were there, Libyans were there and other areas around and within. Thus on the very Day CHRISTIANITY made its debut on earth Africans were not wanting, even if they were only Africans by residence, Africans were represented. How, in the light of this can Christianity be called an alien religion in Africa or any part of Africa?

Within few years after this Christianity was comfortably seated in Africa through the Ethiopian eunuch who was converted by Phillip in Acts chapter 8. This was long before the conversion of St. Paul who took Christianity to Europe. Thus Christianity was in Africa long before it got to Europe. So how can it be an "imported religion" from Europe if it was already in Africa even before Europe?
It is a fallacy of no mean proportion. America does not even exist at this time, America as we now know it. Those who say Christianity is "Euro- American slave religion" are therefore in a grievous error.

7 . The Notable Contributions of Africans to Christianity

It is also erroneous to brand Christianity as alien religion or foreign religion because Africans have made notable contributions to Christianity, enormous contributions that are even more than others. At a point Alexandria, Egypt was one of the most vibrant fulcrums of Christianity. Some of the greatest theologians of the Early Church who saved Christianity at its hour of great peril were Africans.

* Athanasius who saved the day for Christianity against the heretical but influential Arius was an African.

* Tertullian who coined the term "Trinity" was an African.

* Origen who laid the foundation of philosophical theology was an African.

* St Anthony of the Desert fathers who started the monasticism in Egypt was an African.

* St. Augustine the most influential father and theologian of the Early Church was an African from Thagaste in present Algeria. He was an African.

* At Nicea the most significant Council of the Church, African bishops were heavily represented from Egypt, Libya and other places and none from Britain. The Creed would be named after an African, Athanasius ( Àthanasian Creed).

So if Africans were stakeholders in Christianity and major contributors how could Christianity be called an alien religion in Africa? How, can a person be an alien in a venture or company in which he is the major shareholder and investor? Can someone please help me?

8. Christianity as a Universalising Narrative

Christianity is a narrative, but a Universalising Narrative. It cleaves to all cultures, accepts, embodies and improves the best elements in every culture and uses it in praise of Jehovah. Christianity can subsist and has subsisted in every culture, tongue, land and nation. It takes the best materials in a culture and raises it to its highest level.

Thus in Rome it is Catholicism, in Germany it is Lutheranism, in Britain it is Anglicanism; in America it is Pentecostalism; in Congo it is Kinbanguism; in South Africa it is Zionism ( Zionist churches) in Yoruba land it is Aladura Apostolic ( CAC, C&S etc). Because it is a universal narrative it seats comfortably in every culture and under every clime. Thus the concept of alienness or foreingness does not arise. How, for instance is Christ Apostolic Church, a truly Christian church, be foreign to Nigeria or Pentecostalism as embodied in Foursquare Church or Assembly of God Church be alien to America? How can a religion be alien to the land of its birth or origin?

9 . The Dynamic and Cultural Elements of Christianity

The beauty of Christianity is that it not only moves it also breathes. It can adopt and use cultural medium without tampering with the message; it can employ forms and modes to dispense its message without altering the power and tempo of the message.

Christians were the first to see the importance of printing as a useful medium of dissemination of ideas long before Asians saw it. As a matter of fact the movable press was invented or developed by Gutenberg to print the Bible - long before anyone or other religions saw the usefulness or potential.

Christians were the first to use television to spread the message. They have also adopted the internet now while the others are still asleep.

That is the dynamism of Christianity which confuses its adversaries.

They were the first to start meetings in homes right from the first Century and when the Temple was destroyed it didn't move them because they had gone beyond that.

Innovations like these made them to survive even tyrants. Christianity has survived Communist tyranny, Islamic jihads, mob- instigated violence and pogroms, dictators like Josef Stalin, Idi Amin, Sani Abacha, Muhammadu Buhari, Pol Pot...

This dynamism which can be seen across all cultures is another reason why it cannot be called an alien religion or foreign religion. It does not belong to any nation; it belongs to all nations because Christianity is, in indeed Christ and Christ cannot be alien to any Land because "the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof."

10. The Native Factor in Christianity

The reference to Christianity as foreign religion is further complicated on several grounds in the light of 7, 8 & 9 above. But even more in the light of the "native factor."

Scholars now talk of not just Christianity but Christianities and they are right. Christianity as I said not only passes through cultures but also embodies the fine and beautiful elements in every culture and uses it for its own ends. Without compromising the essential core and interiority of the religion. Thus we have today Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Anglicanism, Quakerism, Pentecostalism...

There is American Christianity, African Christianity, European Christianity, Nigerian Christianity...

The major difference is that each of these variants has embedded something of the native but harmless elements in the culture without endangering the core of the message. Thus Pentecostalism in its essential core is pure Christianity, yet true to the American flamboyant culture. Aladura Christianity is, in the words of Professors Bolaji Idowu and Omosade Awolalu "a legitimate branch of the church universal" yet true to the Yoruba culture of prayer and supplication. Kimbanguism is the religion of the Congo, yet in its essential beliefs, also Christian. In the words of Professor George Thomas it is "authentically Christian and authentically African." It is the same with Zionism in South Africa

This is the native factor and the beauty in Christianity. It is for this reason that it is fatally wrong to call Christianity a foreign religion. How can Kimbanguism be foreign to Congolese; or Aladura foreign to the Yorubas or Pentecostalism to the Americans where it started in 1906?

*11. The Call of Indigenous Prophets and Churches*

Here is a major reason why Christianity cannot be foreign. The call of prophets and Apostles from every nation and clime to spread the message of Christianity to their own people and their empowerment is a proof that this religion belongs to all. In virtually every nation today if you search their history you would see someone or some persons raised at one point almost without human mediation spreading true Christianity without anyone teaching him based on divine calling. St. Paul who was never part of the Twelve was a good example of this.

In this nation we have had men and women who claimed to have received divine visitation and whose lives snd subsequent developments vindicated their claims. I am not talking of most of the charlatans now parading the stage, false apostles, agents of the devil. I am talking of genuine voices with deep numinous experience.

Joseph Ayo Babalola was one of these. Moses Orimolade was one of these. Sophie Ajayi was one. Same for Shadrach Mogun, Babamuboni of Ekiti and several others.

Baba Babalola was not taught Christianity or theology by any institution of learning when he had his encounter, a Paul- like encounter at Arakeji. Orimolade could quote the entire passage of the Bible yet never could read or write for in the words of Professor Omoyajowo "he was a complete illiterate." How then do we account for these? Much more, how do we account for the major awakening that occurred through their hands?

Babalola was a Yoruba man who spoke better Yoruba than any of our professors; he ate Yoruba food and wore Yoruba clothes. Orimolade was not a disgruntled member who separated from earlier Faith traditions or religion but one of us here who lived and died and their graves are here with us to this day.

Yet they got the revelation of true Christianity that embodies indigenous forms like drums, gongs, songs and other cultural forms according to the University of London, sociologist, Professor John Peel.

Thus when we say Christianity is a foreign religion or alien religion we must have to do two things: either we accept that these men were foreigners or that what they founded were not truly Christian. Unfortunately both claims are demonstrably absurd. All the scholars who have worked and written on these churches from Howard Turner, John Peel, Robert Mitchell, Parrinder, and their home- based counterparts like Professors Omosade Awolalu, Bolaji Idowu, Akinyele Omoyajowo, etc agreed that not only were they truly indigenous and African but they are also authentically Christian.

This is the greatest proof which destroys every foundation of otherness about Christianity.

12. The Evidence of the Bible

Here is my last point as I wind down this Apologia. I have made my point and there is no reason to go on further. This is the best evidence.

Every religion rests on four fundamental pillars: a holy God, holy people, holy place and a holy Scriptures. The Bible is therefore crucial to the survival of Christianity.

Now when you read through the Bible what do you see? There is no Continent whose nations, cities, lands and peoples are as mentioned as those of Africa from Genesis to Revelation. Africa and Africans grace the pages of the Bible than any other Continent. If that is so how then can Christianity be alien to Africa or any portion of Africa?

I rest my case.

Conclusion

The reference to Christianity Apostolic Christianity as "alien religion" offends me and my sense of being. It is an insult to me and to my fathers - Samuel Ajayi Crowther, Joseph Ayo Babalola, Moses Orimolade etc., and all who have lived to the best of their ability for Christ in this Land. I do not insult any religion even the Traditional Religions of Africa nor their adherents and I also wish that traditionalists would respect my own Faith as well. It is defamatory to call Christianity, Apostolic Christianity an "alien religion" or foreign religion or "tool of imperialism". It is an insult to refer to the God of Christianity as foreign God. Jesus was in Africa before Yoruba became a nation, before Oduduwa came here or before any of the divinities now worshiped in Yoruba land came here.

I do not worship a foreign God, I worship the True and the Living God Who appeared at Sinai, an African mountain through an African prophet; I worship the Living God Who appeared at Oke-Ooye in Ilesha in July 1930 through Joseph Ayo Babalola in amazing wonders. Daily Times of July 1930 declared "A Messiah in Ilesha" asking people who are sick to go there for healings.
How sad that your universities and "scholars" know nothing about this story? That is the God that I worship, that is the God that I serve. Not a foreign God, at least not foreign to Africa except in the imagination of some. And not a foreign religion.

True, certain forms of Christianity may be foreign to certain part of the world. Roman Catholicism for instance is the Church of Rome and may be foreign to Africa but I am not a Roman Catholic. Anglicanism may be the Church of England and may be foreign to Nigeria but I am not an Anglican. I am an Apostolic Christian, an adherents of Apostolic Christianity a religion which has its Origin in this Land and which embodies Yoruba cultural forms as God gave it through the spirit of Joseph Ayo Babalola. How can that be foreign or alien in Nigeria?

In closing I have not written this to ridicule anyone. It is particularly painful for me to do because these are men I bold in high esteem and who I have praised and defended at other fora. However, I have carried this pain for too long, watching my own beliefs and the religion of my fathers being described in derogatory terms. I now must discharge this burden and free myself of its complications. I think it was Edward Said who said that for him "never solidarity before criticism."

Thank you patient reader, thank you for your patience.

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This essay is dedicated to Joseph whose birthday was yesterday which I could not attend. Boy, you will grow up to continue the battle in other dimensions.

Happy birthday, son.