GOD'S WAYS AND THE MASSACRE OF THE INNOCENTS IN AN AME CHURCH IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Source: thewillnigeria.com

After the massacre of the worshippers in Charleston, South Carolina I seriously questioned and doubted my God, contrary to my Christian upbringing. I could not understand how God's servants would be killed in cold blood as they did what we had understood to be God's command: that we worship him. The dead included God's priest who was leading God's people in the study of God's words and lessons which was the priest's charge and his vow. What went wrong? Did God know of this plan as we had ascribed to him- All Knowing? Was he capable of stopping it as we believe He is- Omnipotent?

If the answers are yes, yes and yes, did he not betray his people? Here is the quid. And where is the pro quo?

We also know that ALL Gods from my village “achihi Achi”, to “udo”, to “agbara,” to the god of Abraham to the Christian God Have a need for sacrifices and appropriate the need to match the offence or the plea of His people up to and including human sacrifice. I know that with my village god, “achihi Achi” that sometimes a chicken would do, sometimes a goat, sometimes a cow and if the deal is really very, very important; a human being. At least until the Christian missionaries backed by the Colonial Powers stopped it. We also do know that the offer of human sacrifice was not limited to the Igbo's or Nigeria's or Africa's Gods but went all the way to the God of Abraham. Gods thirst for human blood. We know that God demanded that Abraham sacrifice his son to him; we know that he took ALL the first sons of Egyptians to free the Jews from bondage; we know that he took the blood of his only begotten son to save the erring humans.

God loves human sacrifice. God loves human blood. Christians are reminded of this each time they go to the Communion Table. The doctrine of transubstantiation of the Roman Catholic Church teaches the wine in the Communion Cup transubstantiates into real blood which worshippers drink at least each Sunday. If one commits real cardinal sin, he should be prohibited from the ceremony of Holy Communion, from eating the body of Christ and the drinking of Christ's blood.

This blood seeking God may have been at play at the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. The African population had suffered and paid with metric tons of blood during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade; paid with more blood as slaves working in plantations of Slave Masters; more blood yet during the Civil War and after. And are still paying in blood and tears just recently that the police discovered that Black lives do not matter that much. But although God likes blood sacrifices He only calls for it for the greater good of humans. The entire human kind was saved by the blood of Christ; Israel and Egyptians made peace after the killing of first sons of Egyptians; etc.

Once the 9-Martyrs of Charleston were sacrificed the Confederate Flag came tumbling down. God had used the opportunity to reach the world what forgiveness looks like. Mr. Roof had hoped to ignite a racial war, demonstrations, anarchy etc. But the victim's families in unison said they forgive him. The nation was stunned! The world was stunned! People asked what kind of worshippers are these? The flag of hatred came down to be replaced by a white flag of peace. Peace for the victims and the victimized; peace for black and white.

God once more manifested his love for humanity and showed us that his ways are not our ways; that He sees things differently; and that He is in charge. Yes he demanded human sacrifice but he saved what could have been a bitter racial war had Mr. Roof's desire been met fire for fire.

  1. God moves in a mysterious way
    His wonders to perform;
    He plants His footsteps in the sea
    And rides upon the storm.
  2. Deep in unfathomable mines
    Of never failing skill
    He treasures up His bright designs
    And works His sov'reign will.
  3. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
    The clouds ye so much dread
    Are big with mercy and shall break
    In blessings on your head.
  4. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
    But trust Him for His grace;
    Behind a frowning providence
    He hides a smiling face.
  5. His purposes will ripen fast,
    Unfolding every hour;
    The bud may have a bitter taste,
    But sweet will be the flow'r.
  6. Blind unbelief is sure to err
    And scan His work in vain;
    God is His own interpreter,
    And He will make it plain.

William Cowper , 1774
http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/God_Moves_in_a_Mysterious_Way/

Written by Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba.

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