Lying to the Believers

This morning I visited a nearby church with my neighbor. I had promised to go with her one day because I wanted to encourage her to be part of a church (she had fallen away for some time) and today was the day. It was very pleasant to be with her and I know she was pleased that I took the time (3 1/2 hour service in 98 degree heat!) but being there at the church was very uncomfortable.

When we walked in, the service had already started and the members were praying. In many churches here, that means that everybody is praying. All at once. Out loud. In this particular flavor of church, it means that you feel like you are surrounded by crazy people, because people are pacing about, throwing their arms into the air, twirling around, or jumping up and down. All the while, literally shouting up at the sky. Shouting the same thing over and over again, weeping desperately, beating their breasts. I wish I was exaggerating, but sadly I am not. It makes you want to turn around and run out again! There are many believers here who think that the louder your prayer, the more likely it is to be answered. In some of the churches we visit, the windows are all covered and doors closed before the pandemonium begins. This is because they believe that where the Bible says you are to "go into your closet" is to be taken literally.

Anyway, most of the service was great. Nice singing, a bit of dancing, great drumming and some church elections done in an orderly fashion. Then it was time for the preaching. The regular pastor was away, so a higher-up from the district had come to preach.

I am sorry to say that the Health and Wealth Gospel is alive and well here in Mozambique. There are various denominations, including the one I visited today, that follow this teaching. The preacher started out well, reading verses from Matthew and Romans that talk about not worrying about eating or drinking, but seeking first the kingdom of God. He went on to talk about how the Kingdom of God is Peace, the continued into how the Kingdom of God is in our homes if we live peacefully. Not really scriptural, but ok. Unfortunately, then he veered into the all-too-familiar teaching that the Kingdom of God is here on earth among us and that if we pray hard enough and seek it hard enough, we will all have riches here on earth. He actually said: "Is the kingdom of God in the sky? NO! It is here!!". After emphasizing that the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking (based on the scriptures), he went on to say, for 20 minutes, that the Kingdom of God is money. Houses, cars, a good mattress to sleep on. Of course, everyone loved it. He kept saying "Do you want the Kingdom of God? Do you want glass windows in your house?" To which everyone replied, shouting: "YES!" They were thrilled.

It is particularly hard to listen to this in view of the lack of Bible teaching that people have. Most know almost nothing about the Bible, beyond the verses that explain they will prosper. These very poor people continue to poor their money into the church, most of which is sent on to the leaders, who are indeed becoming rich! And the poor continue on hoping for the riches which they feel God will soon be sending their way. When it is not forthcoming, the people are blamed for lack of faith, not enough "seed money" given, or not enough time spent praying.

All of this is just another example of why we are here. Denominations like this one will continue on and likely we will not have much impact on them. Usually, folks from this church are not allowed at our classes. However, teaching believers from the other churches what the Bible says, and how to read the Bible, will bear fruit for generations to come. When people understand what they believe, and how to understand what the Bible says, they are less likely to be taken in by these wolves in sheep's clothing. - Cami