Weekly Round-Up: Witchdoctors, Buddhism in Uganda, the Importance of Apologetics, and Islamic Shirk

Here's this week's round-up:

1) Phoebe Mutetsi, "Conversations with a pseudo witchdoctor" in the Daily Monitor newspaper (Uganda). Here is a fascinating and troubling interview with a former African witchdoctor. Traditional "healers" like these continue to be popular throughout Uganda and beyond.

2) Florence Baingana, "Heaven and Hell?" in the Sunday Monitor newspaper (Uganda). Buddhism in Uganda? You'd better believe it! And this article looks as if it is promoting Soka Gakkai Buddhism.

3) "The Case for Theology and Apologetics" on the White Horse Inn radio show. While I mentioned this show in last week's round-up, they continued their discussion of the importance of theology and apologetics for a second week. You'll want to download this program in MP3 as well.

4) James White, "Shirk: A Basic Definition and Introduction" on the Alpha & Omega Ministries Apologetics Blog. Islam is growing rapidly around the world, and especially in East Africa. With this in mind, we should all become more familiar with its teachings. James White has posted a helpful video clip introducing us to what Muslims mean by shirk.

Christ Gospel Church on the Good News: Part One

(Christ Gospel Church is an international sect with affiliate churches in half a dozen African countries and shortwave broadcasts to many others. You can read the previous posts in this series here: What Does Christ Gospel Church Teach?, Christ Gospel Church on Scripture, Christ Gospel Church on Mankind, Christ Gospel Church on God, Christ Gospel Church on the Lord Jesus Christ: Part One and Part Two)

V. The Good News

As one can already see, CGC extends hope for mankind. Several of CGC's articles of faith are dedicated to this important aspect of their beliefs. Through understanding mankind's need as well as the degrees of reward, their understanding of the gospel message is made clear.

A. The Need of Mankind

All human beings are born sinners. Sin entered the world through the disobedience of mankind. Before they sinned, these disobedient creatures were known as Adam-male and Adam-female (Genesis 5:2; Romans 5:12).

Every person is a sinner by birth and by deed (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10; Isaiah 53:6; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Psalm 51:5; Psalm 58:3). Because God says in His Word that the penalty for sin is eternal Death in Hell and the Lake of Fire (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:12-15), all men are in need of a Saviour and the experience of Salvation through the shed Blood of Jesus Christ, God's spotless Lamb (Hebrews 9:22; Matthew 26:28; John 3:17,18).

Salvation is received through confession and repentance of one's sins (Romans 19:8,9) and through believing on the LORD Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8). Salvation is not earned by man's good works; it is a Gift from God, which man receives by having faith in the shed Blood of the LORD Jesus Christ, Who died in man's place on Calvary's Cross (Titus 2:11; 3:5-7).

The evidence of Salvation is the outward demonstration of the inward Working of God's Grace in the heart, which produces a separated, godly, holy life (Titus 2:12). [1]

While God covered Adam-male and Adam-female with his glory, he gave them the ability to choose whether or not to follow him. Hicks states, "Present man, Adam-male and Adam-female, had to decide either to obey or disobey God's Will, which came to them wrapped up, as it were, in His Word."[2] Following the serpent's deceit in the garden, mankind once again chose to follow Lucifer, which brought error and death.[3] This corrupt state continues in all humanity. "Upon acceptance of the Serpent's corrupted will, Adam-male and Adam-female became totally depraved in their threefold beings. This same depraved condition has been passed on to every human being."[4] Hicks summarizes the death of man since the fall: "Death is a true witness of man's threefold being. The Scriptures prove that a sinner's being separates in a threefold manner at Death. The body goes to the grave; the soul goes to Hell; and the spirit is left to roam in a state of unrest after having ascended to God."[5] Every human being is a sinner whose soul deserves to go to hell.

Hicks teaches that there are three tests of mankind. "In each period or age of existence, God has tested the spirits and souls of mankind with Light. First, they were tested as Seeds in the spiritual realm in Eternity-Past; then, they were tested as Seeds in Present Time in a perfect body in the Garden of Eden. Now, in Present Time, . . . man is tested a third time, and this time his test is in both the spiritual realm and the natural realm."[6] Individuals have failed one or two of the previous tests, but their choice regarding the third and final test will ultimately determine their eternal destiny.

The only way for humanity to escape damnation in the lake of fire is to be saved through Jesus' atonement. Hicks lays out three necessary steps for salvation: "First, a person must believe there is a God; second, he must repent of his sin; and, third, he must accept the Gift of Salvation that the LORD God so freely bestows on those who believe on Him and repent of their sin."[7] This provision of salvation is seen as a transaction. "We are saved by taking the necessary steps toward Salvation, in obedience to the Word of God. Once we have done our part, God certainly will do His Part. God plainly declares in His Word that every soul who trusts in His Son is forgiven, saved, and becomes a possessor of Eternal Life."[8]

After being saved, Christians are to continue to grow in their faith. "God's Infallible Word continues to generate faith in our heart so that we can continue progressing in our believing in our Saviour, Jesus Christ. God's Word encourages us to persevere to the end of life's journey with a strong, steadfast faith in Jesus Christ."[9] The Christian life should be one marked by holiness and devotion to God. And until Jesus' returns, at death a true believer only faces a twofold separation. "At Death, the threefold being of a believer, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament Dispensations, was and is separated in a twofold way. The spirit and the soul of the Old Testament believer went to Paradise, while the spirit and soul of the New Testament believer goes immediately into heaven."[10]

[1]Articles of Faith, 4-5.
[2]Hicks, Confirming Our Faith in what the Bible Teaches about Mankind, 128.
[3]Ibid, 128-136.
[4]Ibid, 144-145.
[5]Ibid, 55.
[6]Ibid, 150.
[7]B. R. Hicks, Believe, Repent, and Accept God's Gift of Salvation (Jeffersonville, IN: Christ Gospel Press, 1997), 44.
[8]Ibid, 68.
[9]Ibid, 69.
[10]Hicks, Confirming Our Faith in what the Bible Teaches about Mankind, 55.

Developing the Center in Uganda

[Video - Dr. Solomon Nkesiga from KEST on Cults in Uganda]
False teaching and cults are rampant across East Africa. The need for a wide-ranging, biblical response is obvious, but what is the best approach to such an enormous challenge? Since my first trip to Uganda, God has made it clear that equipping African Christians for discernment and defending the faith requires strong partnerships with nationals who are committed to the same vision.

By returning to Uganda last month, the Lord enabled us to take major steps toward building a strong ministry partnership between ACFAR and the Kampala Evangelical School of Theology (KEST).

There are at least five strong reasons why working with KEST is strategic:

• It’s indigenous—a seminary by Africans and for Africans.
• It’s nondenominational—its students include Anglicans, Baptists, Pentecostals, and others.
• It’s highly respected—KEST has had a twenty-year association with John Stott’s Langham Partnership, and the national leaders and missionaries we’ve met have consistently spoken well of KEST.
• It’s strategically located right in the heart of Uganda’s capital city, close to Makerere University, one of Africa’s oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning.
• It’s committed to combating error.

KEST is led by Dr. Solomon Nkesiga, a pastor and educator with extensive experience in East and Southern Africa. We’ve spent much time with Solomon, gaining valuable insights on the spiritual situation in Uganda and mapping strategies for making ACFAR a reality. Not only has our time together been encouraging and productive, but I’ve come to deeply respect him as a man of God.

As our partnership with KEST begins, ACFAR will develop:

1) A quarterly research bulletin for pastors, featuring practical articles on discernment and the defense of the faith
2) An extensive web site devoted to news, research, and analysis of new and controversial religious groups in East Africa
3) Training seminars and conferences for pastors, seminary and Bible students, Christian workers, and lay believers
4) Resources for mass distribution in English and local languages, including tracts, pamphlets, books, and audio and video material

African Christian leaders are clamoring for us to begin, but one last step remains: raising our remaining support. Will you pray with us as we seek to begin this unique ministry as soon as our Lord provides?

(Previous posts on our recent mission trip: Advancing Biblical Discernment in Uganda, The Challenge of Islam in Uganda)

Weekly Round-Up: False Faith Healers, Islam in Uganda, Scientology in Africa, and the Importance of Apologetics

1) Michael Mubangizi, "Can prayers replace ARVs?" and "I lied that Pastor Imelda's prayers cured my AIDS!" in the Weekly Observer newspaper (Uganda). Both of these articles show the havoc that faith healers are causing throughout Uganda. They are taking advantage of people dying from AIDS who are desperately looking for help. The second article is especially saddening, with a woman being used to help a faith healer fool others.

2) Berna Namata, "Organization of Islamic Conference coming to Uganda" in the New Times newspaper (Rwanda). On Monday I mentioned the rapid growth of Islam in Uganda, but this news report is another example of the continuing success of Islam in East Africa. I pray that Christians will answer and evangelize the Muslims around them!

3) “The Essence of Source” in International Scientology News, Issue 37 (2008), pp. 8-17. While this article is not available online, it is important to recognize Scientology's growing involvement in Africa. This official publication reports on efforts to disseminate the doctrines of L. Ron Hubbard throughout the continent via targeted donations of a collection of books and recorded lectures called “The Basics.” According to the unsigned article, Dianetics and assorted companion works by Hubbard are already available in every public library in Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Angola, Chad, and Sierra Leone (with South Africa well on its way).

4) "The Case for Theology and Apologetics" on the White Horse Inn radio show. I am a weekly listener of the White Horse Inn and really enjoy the show. This week's discussion of the importance of theology and apologetics was particularly edifying. Download the show in MP3 and give it a listen.

Christ Gospel Church on the Lord Jesus Christ: Part Two

(Christ Gospel Church is an international sect with affiliate churches in half a dozen African countries and shortwave broadcasts to many others. You can read the previous posts in this series here: What Does Christ Gospel Church Teach?, Christ Gospel Church on Scripture, Christ Gospel Church on Mankind, Christ Gospel Church on God, Christ Gospel Church on the Lord Jesus Christ: Part One)

IV. The Lord Jesus Christ

This week, we continue examining CGC's teaching on Jesus Christ. After looking at the beginning of Jesus and the relationship of Jesus and the Word, we now turn to the history of the Lord Jesus Christ.

C. The History of Jesus

Throughout the history of this creation, God has been working out his plan to bring Jesus into the world. This plan begins with Adam-female and the promise God gave to her after the Fall. "When the Bible speaks about Jesus' being the Seed of Woman, it refers is [sic] to the Seed of Promise of the Saviour's Humanity, the Promise given to Adam-female."[1] This promise continued from Adam-female all of the way to Abraham. In Abraham, God's plan took another step forward. "To Abraham, God gave another Seed, the Promise of the Divine Seed of the Christ. Abraham, then, had two Seeds: the Seed of Promise of the Saviour's Humanity and the Seed of Promise of His Divinity."[2] Both of these seeds were carried through Abraham's descendents until King David. "Jesus' Humanity Seed and Christ's Divine Seed were passed along together until they finally reached King David, in whose loins they became divided into two separate streams of revelation, The Humanity Seed . . . traveled down through the lineage of Nathan. The Divine Seed of Christ . . . traveled down through the lineage of Solomon."[3]

The division of these seeds continued until the time came for the Messiah to come to earth. Joseph held the divine seed. "Joseph, to whom the Virgin Mary was espoused, was of the lineage of Solomon. . . . Although he possessed the Divine Seed of Promise, Joseph could not pass it through His natural, physical loins because the Messiah was ordained to be born of a Virgin."[4] Mary had the humanity seed. "Mary, as a descendent of Nathan, carried the Humble Seed of Promise of the Redeemer's Humanity. Not until she became espoused or engaged to Joseph did she receive the Divine Seed of Promise of the Christ."[5] Through the engagement of Joseph and Mary, Mary possessed both seeds. At God's appointed time, the two seeds were united. "The Seeds did not become one in her womb until the Glory Cloud of the Holy Ghost overshadowed her as she started testifying to Elizabeth about the Promise the Angel had given her. At that moment, the Divine Seed of the Christ from the Father joined itself to the Humanity Seed that Mary carried."[6]

Consequently, Jesus Christ was born. However, a valid question arises: if the Word of God was joined to Jesus when he was originally begotten, then how does this joining relate to the union of the divine seed with the humanity seed? Hicks' answer seems ambiguous. When considering the titles of Jesus, she separates the titles "Son of God" and "Son of Man," maintaining, "The title Son of God refers to the divine generation of Jesus. In Eternity-Past, before any other thing was brought forth, God brought forth the divine Spirit and Soul of His Only Begotten Son. . . . The title Son of Man pertains to the human generation of Jesus. God prepared, in the Virgin Mary's womb, a Human Body in which His Begotten Son could dwell."[7] Nevertheless, Hicks does not appear to discuss how these two generations of Jesus are related.

In his earthly ministry, Jesus' humanity and divinity were united yet also remained distinct. This distinction is seen through Jesus having two wills. "During all the days of His Life, Jesus kept His human Will in subjection to the Divine Will of the Christ that was within Him."[8] He also had two kinds of blood:

As the Divine Son of God, Jesus had Pure, Holy, Spiritual Blood. But in order to redeem us from sin, Jesus had to take on the part of flesh that was kept alive with natural, physical blood. It took natural blood to sustain Jesus' natural life in a Body of Flesh. Yet, natural blood alone could not have redeemed us. It took the natural blood and the Spiritual Blood of Jesus Christ to make atonement for our souls.[9]

A complete and permanent union of Jesus and the Christ did not come until after his resurrection.

At the same time, Jesus' death on the cross also has tremendous importance. Hicks states, "God manifested His infinite, sacrificial Love in giving His Son for the world. God magnified His Love in the deed of giving His Son for us and to us. God gave Jesus Christ to be a propitiation for our sins."[10] Hicks explains what happened to Jesus when he died: "Jesus' Body went to the grave, and His Spirit went into the Hands of the Father. Jesus' Soul went down to Hell and Death."[11] However, the Christ in Jesus did not leave Jesus to face this death alone. "[W]hen the time came for Jesus the Man to die as a sacrifice for sin, Christ willingly chose to maintain His joining by going to the Cross and by going down into Hell and Death with Jesus. Thus, it is proper to say that Christ, as well as Jesus, died for our sins."[12] Not only did the Christ remain joined with Jesus, but the Holy Ghost and the Father were also with Jesus during this time.[13] Therefore, "The entire Godhead (Father, Word, and Holy Ghost) was joined to the Son Jesus in the Promise and Performance of man's redemption."[14] Through Jesus' death, descent to hell, and resurrection, God's plan for the redemption of mankind was completed.

[1]Hicks, Confirming Our Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 41.
[2]Ibid. Emphasis in original.
[3]Ibid, 43.
[4]Ibid.
[5]Ibid.
[6]Ibid, 44.
[7]Ibid, 47. Emphasis in original.
[8]Ibid, 51.
[9]Ibid, 52-53.
[10]Hicks, Confirming Our Faith in God, 73.
[11]Ibid, 64.
[12]Hicks, Confirming Our Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 51.
[13]Hicks, Confirming Our Faith in God, 48-49.
[14]Ibid, 49.

The Challenge of Islam in Uganda

[Video - The Gaddafi National Mosque in Uganda]
How great a force is Islam in Uganda?

In April we toured the newly dedicated Gaddafi National Mosque. Financed by Libyan leader Muammar Al-Gaddafi and built atop one of Kampala’s highest hills, it’s by far the largest mosque in sub-Saharan Africa, visible from nearly every point in the city. (While in Uganda for the March 19 dedication ceremony, Gadaffi also created a scandal by declaring the Bible a fraud.)

The mosque is simply immense. My house could nearly fit inside its main dome. I couldn’t take a good picture of the interior—it was far too large. And it’s obvious that Gaddafi spared no expense. Our guide described various construction materials imported from Egypt, Morocco, and other countries.

My heart was saddened as I gazed across the vast carpet of the main hall. Ornately decorated, it directs all who enter to kneel and pray to Allah while facing Mecca. There were thousands upon thousands of places to pray, and I imagined the mosque filling with people prostrating themselves to a god who cannot save them.

Perhaps what grieved me most was looking up to see a poster announcing that "Islam the destiny of humanity ... the religion of humanity." The Gaddafi mosque is a powerful symbol of Islam in Uganda. Islam is gaining ground, and the latest statistics indicate that Muslims now make up almost 20% of the population. Especially challenging is the financial factor; it’s well known in Uganda that a university student who converts to Islam can virtually count on having his or her tuition paid. In a country where poverty and unemployment are widespread and young women often look to "sugar daddies" to underwrite their education, Islam offers an alternative means to pursuing a more prosperous future.

With this in mind, consider the long-term challenge that Islam poses for Christians in Uganda. Churches in East Africa need help in confronting the spread of Islam with compassion and courage. Lord willing, the Africa Center for Apologetics Research will enable pastors and lay believers to understand, answer, and effectively evangelize the Muslims around them.

Join us as we work to defend God’s truth in Africa. Thankfully, we’re not left to ourselves to tackle this problem; our Lord will be with us!

(Previous posts on our recent mission trip: Advancing Biblical Discernment in Uganda)

Weekly Round-Up: Uganda Ministry, James White and Islam, Christian Counterfeits, and the Lausanne Movement

Here's this week's round-up:

1) John Divito, "Advancing Biblical Discernment in Uganda" on the ACFAR Blog. OK, OK, so I am shamelessly promoting our ministry. But this was my first blog post since returning from Uganda. I hope that you will be as encouraged as we are when seeing the many ways God blessed us. At the same time, don't forget to look for several more reflections in upcoming weeks. Let's face it: defending the faith in East Africa has never been more important!

2) Abraham Piper, "What Is RSS? A Step-by-Step Guide to Google Reader" on the DesiringGod blog. Do you want to save time while surfing the Internet and reading blogs? Do you not know how to subscribe to a blog? Do you have no idea what a "RSS feed" is? Do you wonder what that funny looking orange square is? Then you must read Abraham Piper's introduction to RSS. Once you've read it and are ready to get started, subscribe to our blog at this address: http://feeds.feedburner.com/AcfarBlog

3) "An Interview with James White" on the Grace to You web site. Not only has James White had a major influence on my spiritual growth and development, but he has recently focused his ministry to critically interact with Muslims. Given the rapid growth of Islam throughout Africa (more about Islam in Uganda on Monday!), you should definitely listen to this four-part interview.

4) Jeff Downs, "A Biblical Approach to Christian Counterfeits" on the Resource Index web site. You'll need to scroll down to the bottom of Jeff's page to find the audio files, but make sure to download these files as they are added. I only wish that more Sunday School classes were taught on this vital issue!

5) Samuel Escobar, "Building a Solid Theological Foundation for Mission Policy and Praxis" in the Lausanne World Pulse (May 2008). A look at the beginning and continued relevance of the Lausanne Movement. Escobar provides a helpful summary of both the insights and challenges faced today in global missions.