Inside the Bishop's Bible

How could I decide to stop writing my opinions on issues making the round? Or was it a break? For whatever that it was, I’m back and that is the good news, I guess. In any case, even if I earlier decided to stop, like Jeremiah of old said about the preaching of word of God, I cannot stop for I feel it burning within my bones to speak.

For about three weeks now the media has been bubbling with the news of our Osofo one… the ‘chameleon’ pastor, Bishop Daniel Obinim of the International God’s Way Church. Many are those who have written extensively about his outburst concerning his ability to change into whatever that he desires when he ‘enters the spiritual world’. Indeed, his interview on the OB TV, a television channel he owns, was not the first time he was making such a pronouncement about such ability. Sometime last year, I mistakenly, yes mistakenly, tuned my television to his channel on the MultiTV and heard him rant about how he is ‘spiritually’ capable of turning into an armed robber to rob his critics. Or is it enemies? Where were the security agencies? Chai! I’m scared too oo…

I read an article in Manasseh Azure’s Folder titled, “If Mensa Otabil and Daniel Obinim were Muslims” published on Sept., 25, 2015 (http://www.manassehazure.com/2015/09/manassehs-folder-if-mensa-otabil-and-daniel-obinim-were-muslims/). What a fine comparison the senior journalist made between these men of God. And this was about four months before this ‘animal talk’. Kobina Ansah, the satirist and Mirror Newspaper columnist also touched on the recent unprovoked explosion in his article title, “When Snakes wear Cassocks…” published in the Friday, February 19, 2016 issue of the Mirror. And of course, in his usual satirical stance, the playwright posed the rhetorical question that “There is a Lion of Judah. Aren’t we glad to have a Snake of Ghana?” Hahaha! Koby paa…

So who is he really? And I’m certainly left wondering. Supposing I were to introduce this man of God at any gathering in my capacity as a Professional Corporate and Social Master of Ceremonies (kindly don’t ask me who baptised me with that title. Hehe!), what would be the appropriate message about him?

Let me hazard one: “Discussing our next topic, ‘Animals in the House of God’ is a man who has risen steadily from a humble beginning to become a great snake, ei, son of God. He has shattered, ei as3m oo, I mean shepherded, many and has still not relented. Some call him Diabolo, others call him Opete. Osofo Broni I call him. Haha! With a resounding and thunderous round of applause, let’s welcome the bishop who stamps on the belly of pregnant women, the only bishop who is in town, Bishop Daaanieel Ooobiinim!”

For one thing that I have noted, Bishop Obinim is that man who loves to play to the gallery. I mean he has the penchant for using any possibly impossible means to garner attention that is not due him. That reminds me; how on earth a man of God worth his salt would for whatever reason that there is pick up masonry tools as pickaxes, shovels and hammer to beat up media men who were discussing issues concerning him in a live radio programme. Sure, he had the attention. For over a month, the media was talking about him.

Then later, there was the alleged issue of how he slept with one of his female congregants. This issue did not just end at the level of the amorous relationship but also he confessed, no, stated quite frankly without remorse that he had also cursed the baby that was conceived out of that relationship. What a man of God!

This is the part where one could not but agree with the assertion that our Bishop Obinim loves the publicity stunts. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that this is the case. While many young men and women are struggling and working their hearts out to come to the limelight with their works, others just like the bishop are using shortcut. And believe it or not, the hype is great for them.

The Bible was clear in the book of Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned…” So I’m a sinner and you are a sinner too. Apparently, that is not debatable. However, the issue of contention is when the individual is in a position where his actions or inactions have a preponderant effect on a large following. Then it calls for alarm.

Kindly forgive me for sounding like a pastor. Unfortunately I’m not and I cannot also make the claim of being a bible scholar. That’s why I want to know if there’s any part of the Holy Bible that makes it clear that power is given to those who are called by God to be able to turn into anything including snakes when they enter the spiritual realm. I shudder to hasten to a conclusion, but I believe it’s only inside the Bishop’s Bible.