The death of Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua on Saturday evening has elicited mixed feelings from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
While some expressed sympathy for his family and the church he headed, the Synagogue Church of All Nations SCOAN, others simply looked at the ugly side of his ministry and those of colleagues.
In the Pentecostal churches, miracles, fake and genuine are common features. Worshippers are coaxed to purshase handkerchiefs,olive oil and annointed water to stave off all manner of sickness and evil spirits rather than asking the sick in their midst to seek solution in the hospital.
Many pregnant women die due to their believe that the hebrew manner of delivery was certain and better than surgery which guarantees safety of mother and child in challenging circumstances
Current matters on Sunday stumbled on comments made by some critics of the acclaimed man of God. The news medium also conducted a vox pop about the life and times of Joshua, and lesson for other church leaders.
A recent post by a lady , on Twitter said she received the news of Joshua’s illhealth and death with shock especially report that he went to hospital for treatment
The Lady, Sandra Ezejwesili asked why he failed to practice what he taught his followers by applying the holy water and annointing oil instead of going to the hospital.
He statement reads
“T.B Joshua was reportedly ill and went to the hospital.
“Did he teach his numerous followers to try hospitals and not abandon their medication for his holy water and annointing oil?
“His Ministry did a lot of damage.
” Any conversation that doesn’t include that, is dishonest. She said.
To Walter,a guard in an unamed factory said many people across the world believed in Prophet T.BJoshua as a man of God as he healed the sick and helped the poor.
” That nan is a Man of God. He cured a lot of ailments that defied medical solution. It’s a pity he is no more. citizens of other countries believed more in him than Nigerians
“The church is always filled with people around. The pastor is very generous, always giving to the poor no matter where you come from” he said.
To Hannah, the death of T. B Joshua should be an eye opener for many who thronged ” Men of God” for miracles and salvation as the demise of Joshua a foremost preacher with one of the most sophisticated church buildings in the country showed that salvation comes from Jesus and no one can take the glory.
According to her many see Joshua and other acclaimed Men of God as the “author and finisher of their faith’ adding that it was wrong for people to arrogate the powers of God to themselves .
Though Joshua was recognised by his followers as founder of the SCOAN,He himself claimed Jesus as the lordship and founder of his ministry as he” was just one of those who has humbly submitted to the will of God.’
T. B Joshua was one of the highly courted clergies around the world and one of the weathiest.
To Anaias, only gullible people fall for the tricks of new generation pastors.
” I don’t know when people will learn their lesson. You go to church and you are sick, the pastor will pray and give you annointing oil but when they or their family members are sick they rush to the hospital.
” It is only those who are naive that usually fall into their trap.he said.
