The Original
Francis Nyamnjoh. The Convert. Mmegi Publishing House, Gaborone, Botswana, 2003. 44 pages
Reviewed by Irene Madonko
In The Convert, Francis Nyamnjoh’s unveils his experience of born again Christians: a hall packed with believers bleating to what the shepherd (Pastor) dictates. From what they should sing, to what they should say and even what they should think. It all has all the trimmings of a cult. When he zooms in on Charity, the former prostitute, we are awestruck with her blistering devotion to the Ultimate Church of Christ. On the flipside are others outside the Church who are sceptical of the born-again Christians. Take Damien, who subtlety prods the church or Peter who verbally batters its existence. Amidst this, Damien embarks on a smooth pursuit to lure Charity into his bed. This leads to the play’s zenith and some one we least suspect is eventually converted.
The Convert is a play whose pages seep with overly sharp criticism of the born-agains. Som
‘Although they are presented as a bunch of hypocrites, the members show genuine concern for even the worthless members of society’
e of it is justifiable. The pastor is rightfully hammered for his crafty way of extracting money from the unsuspecting believers: ‘Keep you coins aside, and put your papers [notes] in the baskets,’ he bellows as the collection basket is passed around. Purely emotional blackmail, as Damien puts it, or ‘Spiritual manipulation’, as Peter castigates it, describing how the pastor uses God as a gateway to filthy enrichment.
Nyamnjoh also detests the born-agains ‘self-righteousness’, exhibited when Charity or the Pastor condemn other churches. Charity admonishes Damien saying, ‘I can smell a Catholic from a thousand miles. When will you receive Christ?’
But, surely, there must be some goodness in the born-agains? How about the fact that, at a time when HIV/Aids is ravaging millions of Africans, the Church boldly encourages the congregation to abstain from casual sex and stick to one partner: ‘keep away from illicit caresses, thirsty kisses and starving bottoms,’ the leader says. And although they are presented as a bunch of hypocrites, the members show their genuine concern for even the worthless members of society, when they offer to bury a rotting corpse.
Again let’s remember that the world is not a pretty place to be. Charity’s testimony of diseases, hunger and dejection before her conversion, topped up with Damien’s frustration to succeed in life shows that the Church – however odd – can be a refuge from the ills of the world. Professor David Kerr, lecturer at King Alfred’s College, Winchester, UK, says: ‘It is hardly surprising that people like Charity find a sense of solidarity, self esteem and community identity in the fellowship of born-again Christianity.’
That said, The Convert is a critical examination of the born-again movement that today has a powerful grip on sections of local African communities.
Irene Madonko is a Zimbabwean journalist studying in London
The are many people using God's name to enslave others and make money, but this should not cause us to throw stones on those who are truely born-again. After all being born again is not a new movement as the writer of the play puts it. Read the words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of John 3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born againborn-again Christianity
The bible is aware of false teachers and fake born- again Christians, and this is clearly stated in the following verses from the Gospel of Matthew 6:24,7:15-23
24 No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
All roads may led to Rome, but all roads do not led to God. Jesus clearly stated that he was the way to God and we have to pass through him.
ADIS will be defeated when we adopt a more sensible sextual behaviour. If you are married find pleasure in your wife and do not go after other women. If you are not married and cannot contain your sextual emotions go ahead and get married. The call to stay away from pre-maritial and extral marital sex is not an impossible task. If you let Christ in your life and are truely born again, Christ will give you the power to do the right.
Eric
Posted by: Eric Tangumonkem | July 05, 2005 at 10:13 AM
Amen Eric!
Even at the time of Jesus, people said he was not the Son of God, until he died and rose again!
You must be Born-again if u desire to follow Christ! We didn't wrote the Bible!!! U have a Problem with it? Then ask God and stop juging People 'cos as u juge, u will be juged. U think u're better for living in Sin? They are hypocrites, u're unbelievers: Y'all need Christ!
U can not be seek and refuse to take the medecine, just because some people act like it isn't a good one! Why don't u look at truth Born-again Christians? Those speaking and living what they say? why do you choose to look at those who do bad thinks? Do u want to justify ur situation? God knows ur heart!!! And one day u'll be before Him! Think about!
No matter what u say and how u say it, the Kingdom of God continue to grow and to go on and noone will stop it!
I'm a Born Again Christian and proud of it! I'm not the perfect Christian but Christ is my savior and i'm saved by Grace, by his grace and i thank God for it!!!
Alleluia!
Posted by: Ghis | November 13, 2005 at 02:29 PM
Amen Eric!
Even at the time of Jesus, people said he was not the Son of God, until he died and rose again!
You must be Born-again if u desire to follow Christ! We didn't wrote the Bible!!! U have a Problem with it? Then ask God and stop juging People 'cos as u juge, u will be juged. U think u're better for living in Sin? They are hypocrites, u're unbelievers: Y'all need Christ!
U can not be seek and refuse to take the medecine, just because some people act like it isn't a good one! Why don't u look at truth Born-again Christians? Those speaking and living what they say? why do you choose to look at those who do bad thinks? Do u want to justify ur situation? God knows ur heart!!! And one day u'll be before Him! Think about!
No matter what u say and how u say it, the Kingdom of God continue to grow and to go on and noone will stop it!
I'm a Born Again Christian and proud of it! I'm not the perfect Christian but Christ is my savior and i'm saved by Grace, by his grace and i thank God for it!!! Every Knee will bow and every Tongue confess that Jesus is the Lord!!!!!!!!!!
Alleluia!
Posted by: Ghis | November 13, 2005 at 02:30 PM