When
recently YouTube placed a ban on Emmanuel TV's YouTube Channel, citing a reason
based on "Seemingly Social Justice" and not focused on "Sin and
Redemption", we have been taken aback. Their reason and action strike on
the very heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the need to be set free from sin
and all its practices and not take comfort in a cosmetic social justice. The
Bible commands us to take care of the helpless, the unfortunate and defend
those who are oppressed. This is a very important part of what it means to live
out our Christian Faith and which Prophet TB Joshua, the Bishop of SCOAN and
founder of Emmanuel TV, has been preaching across the globe, not just in a
remote Lagos neighbourhood.
Perhaps
it is necessary to attempt to align YouTube and many others on the core message
of Jesus Christ which has become Christianity and the Gospel. It is that Jesus
died for our sins, was buried and resurrected, and thereby reconciled us to
God. This is the message that will truly bring freedom to the oppressed. If an
organization the status of YouTube intends to contribute meaningfully to public
life in the 21st century it should have an open door for all. They must also
understand that the Bible must be preached entirely, with power and glory in
Jesus Christ, without compromise.
We
also want YouTube to be aware that many "Christians" today find the
concept of God willing His Son to die on the cross to be embarrassing or even
appalling. They even take it to be "child abuse,” the idea of blood
atonement is de-emphasized or denied altogether, with social justice and good
works enthroned in its place. Prophet TB Joshua and his ministries, including
Emmanuel TV, have attracted world attention, not for the reasons alluded to him
by YouTube but by the sound and complete Gospel of Jesus Christ coming from
them. Social justice can be persuasive and enticing, but carried out to its
logical end in many areas it is an assault on the foundational framework of
Christianity, leaving it disarmed of its saving power. We encourage YouTube and
its owners to consider this moment a time to pray about finding and supporting
fellowships that are more "Biblically Faithful Church Communities"
rather than banning them. Emmanuel.
Prof.
R. A. Ipinyomi, University of Ilorin,
Nigeria.
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