“I perceive that in every way you are very religious” (Acts 17:22). These were Paul’s words to the men of Athens. But I doubt they would change a great deal save for the people being addressed if Paul walked the bustling streets of Nairobi, Kenya. I think he’d say something very similar, ‘People of Nairobi, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.’ This isn’t rocket science. You don’t need a PhD to see this. You need only have your eyes and ears open. Christian nominalism is rife.
Their lips are about as far as that trust goes.
In Nairobi, and Kenya by extension, your typical shop will be adorned in highlighted scriptures; your typical matatu will be playing obscene music while poor Isaiah’s words decorate the vehicle. ‘In God we trust’ is many people’s mantra. But their lips are about as far as that trust goes. My list could run to the moon and back. But the bottom line is: men of Nairobi, you are very religious.
Below I’ll briefly consider the blessings of belonging to a country that is still Christian, at least in name. Then I will demonstrate the deceitfulness of nominalism as well as ways that is abused by opportunistic leaders. Finally, I will present God’s solution to nominalism.
The Blessing of Being in a ‘Christian Nation’
Unlike the withering Christianity of the West, here in Africa, we are blessed. We are yet to be choked by the nauseous ideologies of post-Christian societies. Our country and city, continent even, is awash with church buildings.
The many church gatherings only tell a half story.
You can’t walk long without spotting one with a name meant to stand out from the rest; the competition to gain more congregants is high, therefore names matter. The more persuasive and eye-catching a church’s name, perhaps, the more attendees one gets. There is so much in a name.
Therefore, on Sundays, a lot of ‘faithfuls’ as they are referred to by local media flock into these various gatherings. It is indeed a joy to see entire families eager to go to church. It is a joy to see that as a society, we still generally hold with reverence the institution of the church. But there’s more than meets the eye, sadly. The many church gatherings only tell a half story. For this blessing is marred by a glaring ‘curse’.
The ‘Curse’ of Nominalism
Let not the throngs fool you. Don’t be hoodwinked by high attendance. Let not the vigorous prayers, chantings and antics blind you. Christian nominalism is rife here. In Nairobi, and the rest of Kenya, anything tending towards being moral passes for Christianity.
But it gets more absurd. In Kenya, English names are sometimes referred to as ‘Christian names’. This is, ostensibly, for the purpose of distinguishing our African heritage from our perceived new identity. Perhaps we blame it on missionaries! “I am a Christian” in local parlance should be taken with a pinch of questioning salt.
Nominalism is a term used to define those who are Christians in name only.
Nominalism is a term used to define those who are Christians in name only. These are those who bear the name but not the identity. They identify as Christians but lack and deny the power of faith. They are sometimes designated the term ‘cultural Christians’. This often is the case where it is fashionable or even convenient to be called a Christian. Some reasons for claiming to be Christian include: I was raised in a Christian home; I fear God; I go to church; or I said a prayer.
The situation is so dire that politicians will even flock to churches on Sunday. Local churches have become the favourite hangout places for politicians. Why? Because anything passes for Christianity around here.
The evidence of the fruit of the Spirit is no big deal (Galatians 5:16-26). It’s almost as if the plea in churches says something like, “come as you are and be comfortable.” Nothing like the Spirit-wrought change, witnessed among the saints of Thessalonica who turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). As my title indicates, this name-only Christianity provides fuel for spiritual abuse.
The Raging Fires of Spiritual Abuse
With a name-only Christianity comes the avalanche of abuse.
Driven by felt needs and their ungodly desires, congregants end up fulfilling Paul’s warning. “The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Timothy 4:3) Nominalism provides the perfect soil for false teaching and teachers to thrive. Since the word is not taught faithfully certain things are inevitable, among them is spiritual abuse. What is taught is what appeals to the congregants. They hear what they want to hear, and in hearing falsehood they set themselves up for abuse.
An unhealthy reverence for the man of God is also a major problem.
Apart from the word not being taught, an unhealthy reverence for the man of God is also a significant problem. This man is held in such high regard that whatever he or she says becomes law. He or she is also not liable to correction. Where nominalism thrives, people have the tendency of erecting their own priest, a human mediator of sorts. One who alone communicates with God. This man of God continues towering over his subjects in terror as long as nominalism reigns.
Another tragedy amongst those who claim to be Christian but are not is that they do not avail themselves of the common means of grace—especially scripture intake. They do not meditate on the word day and night. And without the word, they grope in the darkness and fall headlong in the pit of spiritual abuse. It is therefore not uncommon in Africa to witness spiritual abuses of church members by the powerful and impressive leaders or teachers. From coercive giving to physical battering and verbal abuse to extortion, the fires cannot be any hotter.
Here in Nairobi, there’s a certain famous so-called pastor who verbally abuses his congregants during live broadcasts of their services. But few Christians seem to care. If anything, his outrageous actions end up making it to the top of the list of memes. In the name of Christianity, abuses continue unhindered while perpetrators walk away scot-free. The wood of nominalism continues to stoke the fires of abuse.
Fire-smothering Hope
The raging fires of spiritual abuse kindled by Christian nominalism can only be extinguished through the right preaching of God’s word. Pastors must heed the call of 2 Timothy 4:1-2, “to preach the word…reproving, rebuking and exhorting.”
This kind of preaching must be doctrinal. What it means to be a Christian must be taught. What it means to be born again must be expounded upon. Justification and sanctification must be heralded from the pulpit. The man of God who rightly divides the word must make pointed and clear distinctions between Christians and unbelievers. He must get to Jesus from all scriptures. He must preach in God’s Spirit.
As Christians we have the duty of contending for the faith which was once for all delivered.
Lastly, I think that as Christians in Africa, we have the duty of contending for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3, 12). We must courageously and lovingly call out and expose the excesses and abuses perpetrated by those claiming to lead God’s people. We know that God will bring into judgement all those who “pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 4). When all is said and done, the eternal destiny of people is at stake. Those who aren’t in Christ should expect his wrath to finally fall upon them.
Therefore, this also serves as a warning for those who think they are Christians when they are not. That the ultimate prize to be paid is nothing short of an eternal judgement. With these high stakes, only one response is needed- faith and repentance toward the Lord Jesus Christ.
