I lost 40 years investments in Europe to Ukrainian war – Pastor Adelaja
things. We never for once say, ‘Why did this happen?’ This is because we know that all things work out for good to those who love the Lord. We don’t see what has happened to us as a loss. In the natural, some see it as a loss. But we are in Christ do not see it as a loss.
You lost members of your church in the war. How have you been taking this?
That is a greater loss. A lot of people died and are still dying. This is where I disagree with the people making decisions in Ukraine. I will give everything out to preserve the lives of the people. The lives of people are more precious. Right now, in Ukraine, those who think like me are in the minority. Those who say we should concede land to the enemy are not welcome at all.
What is the situation with the war now?
It’s getting worse daily. But now, America has allowed Ukraine to eat deep into Russia. Russia is now beginning to talk about nuclear weapons. Things are getting worse every day. It has been intense as it has been from day one. It is just that the media likes sensation. They are no longer reporting it because it is no longer news as it were. If you’ve heard something over and over again, people get tired of it.
be free to believe. Some people used to think believers were believers out of fear. But God will not appreciate that.
He (God) will want us to believe out of love and knowledge of him. I remember those days when people used to think dressing in a particular way made you a Christian. But we have since discovered that is not true. The freedom not to be subservient will lead people to know God in the true sense. I know people are freer now to have a personal relationship with Christ.
The Bible talks about love. It seems to me that you are no longer in talking terms with some of these pastors who were your friends before. Where is love in your relationship with them? Do you still call them up and interact with them despite the differences? On their part, did they call you after the war to commiserate with you? Do you still have links with these pastors?
There are no links for now. And I can understand. But they may be thinking that I am motivated by anger or hatred to do what I am doing or did in terms of addressing their faulty theology. But God knows I don’t have any disregard or hatred towards them. But because our tradition in Africa says if you have criticised anybody, it means you don’t love them.
Rather, it is the opposite in Christianity. When Paul criticised Peter, it did not mean he did not love Peter. He loved him. When Jesus criticised the Pharisees, it did not mean he did not love them. Criticism does not mean there is no love. It is an expression of love. Because you criticise those people you care about. I can say I love those people now more than I used to love them. I love the Lord first and I love them because I tell them the truth.
But have you had cause to call them up one day and say for instance, “Bishop Oyedepo how are you?” Have you done that?
I wrote letters to them, but I did not get a reply. That was before the war.
And they did not call you after the war to commiserate with you?
No. Rather I heard people saying, the war is God’s way of dealing with me.
Did the thought that God may be dealing with you occur to you when the war began?
No, I never believed in that. Based on my knowledge of God, I know that is just a joke. When I heard people making such insinuations, I would just laugh. God is not like that.
There were prophecies that you should leave Ukraine before the war. Didn’t it occur to you that you were living in disobedience?
God knows the reason I was not leaving before then. I think the war was a blessing in disguise for me. Other factors were making me remain in Ukraine. God knows.
You have been following Dr Abel Damina who has become the rave of the moment attacking some teachings in the church. How will you rate his teachings?
Let me first commend him that God is using him to take up the body of Christ on some of these strange doctrines. We need a man like him to caution the church even though I would not support some of the things he is criticising. I think he is just creating sensationalism. Why should he be talking about Jesus not being born by Mary or some of the things the church holds sacred?
He talks about too many things that are not necessary. There are things he talks about that make him look like a blogger looking for clout. He has done well in the area of calling people’s attention to the evil of transactional gospel. But his position on some of the fundamental doctrines of faith is weird.
Have you had any contact with him at least to share notes?
The last time I had interaction with him was 10 years ago when he was still preaching the materialistic gospel.
