Christianity, around the world has faced one threat or the other to its existence. These threats have either come from external forces or those from within.
But the influx of charlatans in the system parading as men of God coupled and changing trends brought about by modernity has been described as the greatest to Christianity especially in Ghana.
The advent of modernity leading to altering of doctrines in the church continue to raise controversies around the world, with many holding a strong belief that the church is up against its greatest threat of all times which threatens its very survival.
The issue of homosexuality, for example continues to be a controversial issue but while the phenomenon is gradually gaining acceptance in other countries, Ghana vehemently opposes it describing the practice as in variance with the doctrines of the Bible.
But it is strongly argued that it is only a matter of time, that the church in Ghana relaxed its long held traditions and conformed to the changing trends.
It is also being argued that, the influx of charlatans parading as pastors and prophets in recent times are gradually many more people lose interest and faith in the church.
Against the harsh economic realities of our country, is the growth and acceptance of the doctrine of prosperity leading to very regrettable and obscene incidents in some churches in Ghana where the pulpits are being used to fleece unsuspecting followers and in some instances coerce them to follow strange doctrines.
For many the church is a business entity and the fastest way to amass wealth.
An aspect of this arises partly from the ease with which individuals now establish their own churches, become the archbishops, general overseers and teach whatever catches their fancies and live affluent live styles thereafter.
But are these enough threats to the survival of Christianity and one that the Christian community in Ghana should lose sleep over?
Reverend Dr Fred Degbe, the immediate Past General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) who spoke to Weekend Finder on the subject agrees in part that that these are real threats but with exceptions.
“I would say yes and no”, he noted in his initial submission on the subject.
“Yes in the sense that Ghana is part of the world system so the things that are happening in the world definitely will impact Ghana.
He explained that although most of the changing trends being witnessed by the church in other countries may seem strange and new in the Ghanaian contest “they are not new in the world”.
He argued that these trends notwithstanding, there is also another fact that Ghana has maintained throughout its history, some values both traditional and religious that has kept the precepts and values of the Church.
Using the controversial issues of homosexuality as classic example and the churches’ stands on the issue in Ghana homosexuality, but has since seen strict resistance from the church in Ghana
These resistances notwithstanding because people are free to make a choice, there are also areas where this is tested.
Our laws still tow mainly the conservative line, laws against adultery, homosexuality, they are still in our books and have not been repealed yet and all attempts by the liberals have not succeeded yet.
“Is the church under threat? In the mist of all of these , it is important for the church to clearly speak and clearly give teaching on some of these things and why we should not as Ghanaians fall for it”.
It is a teaching moment for the church to teach and explain why it stands by certain values and why God gave those values to guide society.
He drew inspiration from a biblical admonition that states that, in the last days, immorality and evil will abound.
“The fact that it is happening does not mean that, we should all give wholesale promotion to it”.
He warned that the church must be on the guard and use its prophetic voice and its knowledge of society to tell people that “we are running danger “.
Speaking on the subject of the influx of charlatans in the system which many believe is making the church lose its value; he noted that though it is true, they are in the minority.
“It is true that there a lot of people promising quick benefits and asking them to do bizarre things. I dare say too that certainly these are in the minority”
He added that because of their glamour and glitch they are easily found out or fade away with time.
“yes they may have caused people to believe that the church is losing its value but it is only those who will want to be deceived will continue to be deceived. Those who are observant will know that these people are just charlatans”
Bishop Sam Owusu the General Secretary of the National Prophetic and Apostolic Churches Council of Ghana (NPACC,) commenting on the subject says the threats notwithstanding the foundation of the church which is the Bible is made to withstand every modern life and has given guidelines for that modern life.
He argues that, the denominational beliefs of the church could change but the precepts of the bible remains key and fundamental. “it remains forever and it will not change, the church will prevail ”. He noted.
No matter the changing trends brought about by modernity, the foundation of Bible will prevail.
He explained further, there are dispensations in the history of the church and each comes along with its own challenges.
“Each dispensation has its own challenges and the current change problem facing the church, is as a result of the dispensation it finds itself”, he said.
He holds a strong opinion that the church will weather the storm.
A school of thought also holds the view that civilizations, freedom and liberty in general are under threat and this includes all other faiths (Christianity being one of them) – a fact which all of the world civilizations should come to terms with.
Without doubt, many modern Christian theologians believe modernity and Christianity are not entirely at variance and that it is possible and even necessary (for the survival of Christianity in the modern world) to have them in some kind of combination.
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