In recent developments, Pastor Abel Damina, the Senior Pastor of Power City International Church, located in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, has come under scrutiny from the Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs.
The council, which represents various Christian leaders, issued a statement accusing Damina of promoting “fallacies and heresies” in his teachings, which they claim deviate significantly from traditional Christian doctrine.
These accusations have sparked a considerable debate within the Christian community, with some supporting Damina’s perspectives while others condemn them as dangerous deviations from accepted Christian beliefs.
The council’s criticism of Damina was made public on October 15 through a letter posted on social media by Bishop Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, the council’s secretary, on behalf of the elders' council.
The letter explicitly warns the public against Damina’s teachings, describing them as harmful to the Christian faith.
According to Adesanya-Davies, Damina’s sermons contain a “high frequency of theological errors” and what she describes as “hate speech.”
The letter suggested that these errors in Damina’s messages might even qualify as cybercrimes against Christianity, adding a layer of severity to their claims.
In her letter, Adesanya-Davies cited several controversial statements made by Damina that have stirred unease within Christian circles.
These include messages such as “There is no heaven,” “You don’t need God to succeed,” “Jesus is not coming back,” and “Heaven is a scam.”
Such statements, the council argues, conflict directly with core Christian doctrines, and they believe that these remarks risk misleading believers or even alienating them from their faith.
Damina’s critics argue that his provocative messages are not aimed at fostering spiritual growth but rather at generating controversy and drawing attention.
They suggest that his style relies on “content-creating hype” that emphasizes shock value over theological soundness. For the council, Damina’s approach represents a dangerous shift away from genuine spiritual teaching and toward self-promotion.
They further assert that Damina’s statements are divisive, not only misleading Christians but also fostering resentment among believers who adhere to more traditional views.
Bishop Adesanya-Davies’ letter serves as an official disclaimer on behalf of the council, distancing mainstream Christianity from Damina’s teachings.
She states that Damina has “crossed the line” with his approach, suggesting that he no longer represents Christianity or the Body of Christ in Nigeria.
According to Adesanya-Davies, heresy is defined as a belief or opinion that contradicts orthodox Christian doctrine, especially when it undermines the gospel.
By her measure, Damina’s teachings qualify as heresy, and his approach has earned him an exclusion from mainstream Christian circles.
The letter, however, did not go unanswered. Shortly after its release, Pastor Damina took to Facebook to address the council’s claims directly in a live video.
During his response, Damina dismissed the council’s concerns, describing them as a “bunch of jokers” and questioning their credibility.
He claimed that he had never heard of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs before this incident, suggesting that they are attempting to use his name to gain relevance.
“I am not even aware of its existence. It is a situation of notice me by force,” he said, adding that he considers the council’s claims an attempt to malign his reputation.
According to Damina, the council’s accusations of heresy and the subsequent decision to declare him “no longer a representative of the Body of Christ in Nigeria” were baseless.
He argued that his teachings were misrepresented, explaining that his views are intended to challenge believers to think deeply about their faith, rather than simply following dogma without question.
Damina expressed confidence in his theological approach, indicating that he does not fear controversy and that he sees himself as a reformer within Christianity.
He believes that his perspectives contribute to a broader understanding of faith, rather than being bound by what he considers outdated interpretations.
This clash between Damina and the council highlights the growing rift within the Nigerian Christian community, as divergent views on theology, doctrine, and interpretation come into sharper focus.
Damina’s statements raise questions about how much room there is for differing perspectives within Christianity, especially in an era when new interpretations and non-traditional beliefs are becoming increasingly common.
For many Christians, these statements challenge the very foundations of their faith, and they find it difficult to reconcile Damina’s views with the teachings they have grown up with.
On the other hand, there is a portion of the Christian community that appreciates Damina’s unorthodox perspectives, viewing his teachings as a necessary evolution of the faith in modern times.
Supporters argue that his approach appeals to a younger, more questioning audience who seek answers beyond traditional interpretations.
They believe that Damina’s messages encourage believers to reflect on their spirituality in a more personal and critical way, instead of simply adhering to established norms.
The ongoing debate surrounding Pastor Damina’s teachings and the council’s response exemplifies the challenges faced by religious institutions in maintaining unity amid differing interpretations.
As Christianity in Nigeria continues to grow and diversify, the tension between tradition and innovation becomes increasingly apparent.
Whether Damina’s views will continue to influence a segment of Christians in Nigeria or face stronger opposition from mainstream institutions remains to be seen.
However, his teachings and the council’s critique illustrate the complex relationship between doctrine, personal belief, and religious authority, a dynamic that is likely to persist as the Christian faith evolves in the modern era.
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