Electoral Prophets and the Christian Faith in Nigeria: A Moral Theological Concern

Abstract

This article raises a moral theological concern over the phenomenon of electoral prophets in Christianity and its negative impacts on the Christian faith. The phenomenon plays out at every election circle in Nigeria. Some of their prophesies come true while others do not, thereby, raising the question of whether God contradicts himself. A most likely conclusion is that they merely usually predict winners of elections contrary to their claims of receiving a specic revelation from God. At best, such predictions only have a way of cajoling their followers into voting the candidate of their predictions. The article shades light on the concept of democracy and election, the essential functions of an authentic prophet and the legitimate prophetic role expected of a Christian prophet in within the Christian faith and principles. It makes it clear that since in the modern understanding, democracy involves an expression and exercise of a people's freewill to choose their leader, the authentic Christian prophetic role should be to educate and equip the people with the right knowledge to discern a capable person they can vote for.