My African-ness and Christianity (Part 2)

Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? ~Isaiah 8:19 NLT

"They came with their bibles, took away and discredited our religion" the words many South Africans still utter. Every time I look back at the saddening history of South Africa, the oppression by white people towards black people, I remember the story of Paul, how one minute he was persecuting the church, and later being the one to bring them the message of grace, teaching them on Love (In 1 Corinthians 13). God can use anyone to spread his message. Imagine someone who used to oppress you now preaching to you? you will be skeptical a bit.

When Paul first preached to the Galatian church, he was ill. Now with how society is today, people would be skeptical in receiving a message from someone who is sickly. Whether the gospel arrived through white people in Africa is not the key thing, at the end of the day, it was God's will to get his Word to reach Africa and it did. Religious studies were forced on black people, but I believe God had a reason why that happened that way and it worked out for good in the end. Today many South Africans believe the gospel and are as a result saved.

The verse above asks a very profound question, should the living seek guidance from the dead?

Jesus is alive, it's amazing how every chapter in the book of Acts just reiterates that point, Jesus is risen, and he is alive today. We are not serving or communicating with a dead spirit, but an alive spirit. The Spirit of God.

In most African cultures it is common practice to consult with the spirits of the dead, to seek guidance from the dead through several rituals. While some Africans still hold onto this practice, and believe the Bible is out to destroy African 'religion', it's clear even in bible days, the people of God, the Israelites participated in such practices also. This is not new, nor is it an African thing. The only common thing is that God isn't pleased with people consulting the dead, he has a better way.

Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the LORD your God. ~Leviticus 19:31 NLT

Manasseh also sacrificed his own son in the fire. He practiced sorcery and divination, and he consulted with mediums and psychics. He did much that was evil in the LORD’s sight, arousing his anger. ~ 2Kings 21:6 NLT

If in the Old Covenant God's people were advised numerous times to not consult spirits of the dead, how much more today under the New Covenant? We have been given the Holy Spirit, the counsellor, a teacher, if we ever needed to consult, he is always there. Hallelujah! It's my prayer that as Christians we take advantage of that.