Pastors and Jets: A Predictable Evolution 

Prominent Nigerian Pastors

The purchase of private jets, and in some cases; formation of private luxury airlines is nothing new, but in Nigeria, the peculiarity rests on the fact that some of the current jet-league members are renowned priests.  These men [only men do it for now] are sometimes called 'men of God' to differentiate them from other mortals who obviously are less favoured by the most high. According to observable, current, Pentecostal paradigm, earthly blessings seems to flow in one direction: towards the 'man of God'.

A couple of these ecclesiastic potentates were recently rumoured to have acquired expensive personal airplanes. And some members of the public appear incensed, claiming such opulence ran contrary to the teachings of Christ whose ministry was dedicated to the poor and their needs. Some people contend that because Jesus sacrificially lived and died poor; those in charge of propagating His teachings ought to do the same today. But a cursory examination of the history of the Church would upend any illusion that Christ-like philosophies are still extant or prevalent today. 

The Church, in the first century of its existence, probably tried to remain faithful to the true doctrines of Christ because some of the leaders personally knew and believed in Jesus firsthand. These initial acolytes of Jesus spread the gospel with fervour and they succeeded in giving hope to many of the poor and ostracized - normally the majority in most societies. Because these preachers of the gospel condemned idolatry, and encouraged the people to become disloyal to the established religious order of the day they became marked men - and persecution of Christians was rampant.  These intolerance of Christianity in its first years forced members to practice their religion in secret. In those days, you have to be sincere in order to be a Christian, because you could be killed or imprisoned for your beliefs. 

Everything changed with the emergence of Emperor Constantine, who helped in passing the Edict of Milan in 313AD after his somewhat inexplicable embrace of Christianity. The edict encouraged tolerance for the new religion. With this masterstroke, Constantine assumed Christian leadership, galvanized his army for war and the emergence of Christianity as a privileged religion in Roman society. With the acceptance of Christianity as a state religion came the establishment of ecclesiastic hierarchy and smoothing of the finer points of belief. This led to the council of Nicaea meeting in 325AD where Christian leaders established the basic doctrines of Christianity. The intervention of Constantine on behalf of Christianity changed its face forever. It is however ironic that during the so-called dark ages, the formerly oppressed Christians, presided over the oppression of members of the society by instituting murderous inquisitions in the European Christian world.  

Having tasted money and power over the centuries it was easy for the priesthood to equate the riches acquired along the way with Christian success. With subsequent evolution and adoption of a material acquisition subtheme for Christianity, it was easier to manage the flock. A story was told of a monk, walking in on the Pope one day, and met him counting money. The Pope looked up from what he was doing and declared "The Church cannot afford to say, silver and gold have I none". The monk thought for a moment and replied, "Neither can it say rise up and walk". One of the lone voices that tried to bring the Church back to its roots was St Francis of Assisi, but his admonitions were barely acknowledged. 

The current wave of so-called "prosperity preaching" started in the United States, or at least was perfected there. Obviously, if the Priest is unable or unwilling to demonstrate the power of Christianity in spiritual terms, material possessions become a tangible and relatable substitute for the teeming masses. 

In Nigeria, there appears to be some competition as to which congregation can show off its riches best - just like the rest of society. The acquisition of airplanes by our priests should therefore be examined in the proper light. It is an attempt at redefining the humble message of Christ to suit the present greed of a global capitalist system that has no place for the poor. And the rather close relationship between rulers [in Nigeria and elsewhere] and the priesthood sets the poor up for spiritual and temporal deceit. 

“Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppression...will vanish.” - Thomas Jefferson

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