Why Jesus Apologetics

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord.

— Jeremiah 23:1 (ESV)

In an age of viral soundbites and online mockery, the Church has increasingly found itself at the center of ridicule—not for righteousness, but for the reckless behavior of its own leaders. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are now flooded with edited sermons, clickbait headlines, and street reactions that paint a caricature of Christianity. What’s worse is that these mockeries are often fueled by the outrageous and unbiblical utterances of pastors who have abandoned their sacred calling.

Whether it’s a pastor proclaiming “Jesus hates the poor,” or a so-called pastor threatening someone with a weapon, or one twisting tithing into a manipulative scheme, etc. These public blunders have become tools in the hands of critics—tools they now use to mock not only the messenger but the message itself. One social commentator even went so far as to challenge Christians to find any imam who manipulates Muslims for tithes—a challenge that betrays a poor understanding of the fundamental differences between Islam and biblical Christianity but nonetheless strikes a painful chord.

But the Scripture above thunders against such shepherds. God is not silent. He sees. He warns. He holds leaders accountable. “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture,” says the Lord. This is not a light rebuke—it is a divine pronouncement of judgment.

When the World Sees Our Shame

In recent weeks, social media has been aflame with sarcasm, ridicule, and open condemnation of the Christian Church in Nigeria—never seen at this scale before. It’s not just atheists or non-Christians joining in; prominent figures like VDM, Daddy Freeze, and even celebrities have been mocking pastors and their congregations. Their tone is harsh, but their words expose a painful truth: some pastors have warped Christianity into something unrecognizable, inviting mockery in return.

And while many of their criticisms are exaggerated, they often stem from a kernel of truth: false teachings, unbiblical doctrines, financial exploitation, and abuse of spiritual authority have become all too common.

Let’s be honest. There are so-called “pastors” in Nigeria today who preach things so shameful and demonic, it’s no wonder mockers feel justified.

Just recently, a well-known Nigerian pastor declared from his pulpit:

“Jesus hates the poor. He never visited them.”

Then added:

“The Holy Spirit told me I wasn’t wrong to say Jesus hates poor people.”

And the congregation applauded. What a shame!!!

How did we get here?

Pastors preach:

• “Adam ate his tithe—that’s why God was angry.”
• “Pay tithe or remain cursed.”
• “No one poor will enter heaven unless they tithe.”

We recently responded to these claims. You can read our detailed responses through the links below:

Doubling Down on Blasphemy: Ibiyeomie Claims the Holy Spirit Taught Him “Jesus Hates Poverty”

“Jesus Hates Poverty”? The Arrogance and Blasphemy of Pastor David Ibiyeomie’s False Gospel

Refuting the Tithe Theory: What Really Happened in Eden? A Biblical Response to Pastor Ibiyeomie

They turn Jesus, the friend of the poor, into a prosperity machine who despises them. And they claim the Holy Spirit told them so. These are not minor doctrinal issues—they are blasphemies dressed in suits and microphones.

And as if that weren’t enough, one prominent pastor was recently caught in a viral clip allegedly pointing what looked like a firearm at a man on the street. Instead of repenting, he mounted his pulpit the following Sunday to justify himself by saying, “I don’t have a firearm license” and “I don’t point guns at people.”

Yet the congregation applauded. What?! Why are we so gullible and blind to the truth? Why do we applaud everything simply because it is spoken in big, eloquent English? Are you applauding eloquence—or the truth? Have you taken time to go out there, make your own objective findings, and compare what the eloquent, theatrical speaker said in his own defense and see if the footage says otherwise?

It is a pity! One can’t help but feel sorry for the kind of church members we have today.

Well, instead of responding with blind defensiveness, if you are a Christian, you must ask yourself, “How did we get here?” When did we allow theatrical performances and motivational talks to replace the preaching of Christ crucified? When did pastoral ministry become a stage for fame rather than a pulpit for truth?

Yet in all this, we must also ask, how should true believers respond? Do we retreat into silence? Do we allow the mockery to define us? Do we abandon the faith because of men who misrepresent it?

Why the Church is Tripping Itself

Like we said earlier, this mockery isn’t just happening because people love sarcasm—it’s happening because the Church has invited it through internal failings.

Pastoral Failure	Why it Breaks Christ’s Message
Prosperity gospel distortions—e.g. “Jesus hates poverty”	Contradicts the biblical focus on compassion, not material gain
Political inconsistency—silence on local atrocities, commentary on foreign events	Undermines credibility
Fear-mongering, weaponized giving, financial manipulation	Exploits vulnerable believers
Fake prophecies & dramatic theatrics	Undermines faith and trust in God’s Word
Bullying critics with spiritual threats	Echoes authoritarian, not loving shepherding

The result? Christians themselves feel ashamed, mockers feel emboldened, and the gospel is obscured.

How Should True Christians Respond in a Time Like This?

A. Don’t be offended—be motivated.

This moment? It’s not a call to self-pity—it’s a wake-up alarm. You are not complicit—but you must decide to be actively part of the solution.

B. Hold your pastors accountable

Speak up:

• Attend church meetings.
• Write respectfully to leadership.
• Use church bylaws and scripture (e.g., Matthew 18:15-17) to address abuses.

Demand biblical teaching, truth, and transparency.

C. Discernment for Congregants

If your pastor:

• Distorts Jesus,
• Uses fear or force,
• Preaches one thing politically and another locally,
• Or engages in showy theatrics—

you must critically reassess. Seek spiritually mature guidance. Ask, teach, test the spirits (1 John 4:1).

D. Walk in the Gospel

Live differently:

• Compassion over profiteering.
• Humility over hype.
• Justice over manipulation.
  Prove by your life that Christ is not a scam—He’s salvation (Titus 2:12–14).

Conclusion

We are glad to tell the world that this mockery does not mean Christianity has failed. Rather, it means many of us have failed Christianity. The words and actions of a few flamboyant pastors do not define the gospel. Jesus did not come to build mega followings or build cults of personality. He came to save, to serve, and to speak truth to power. He did not hate the poor. He fed them, healed them, and walked among them. He did not call for extortion in the name of tithing or manipulate people into submission. He condemned the Pharisees for doing just that.

To our critics and mockers—we say thank you. In many ways, your satire has exposed what many believers feared to say. Your criticisms have forced the Church to start to confront its own rot. You’ve shaken a sleeping giant, and many true believers across the world, lovers of truth, are beginning to awaken.

What your critique has done is spark a much-needed call to reform the visible Church. It is a plea for discernment, accountability, and courage among believers. It is a reminder that not everyone who bears the title “pastor” is truly called by God, and not everyone who critiques the Church is an enemy. Sometimes, critics become unwitting prophets, exposing what has long been tolerated in silence.

But remember, not every Christian is complicit. Many of us are just as heartbroken as you are by what we see. We value your voice. But please—don’t throw out Christ because of Judas. Don’t abandon the truth because of those who’ve twisted it. There is a remnant that still believes, still follows, and still stands for what is right.

To true believers: Do not be silent. This is the time to draw a line between Christ and chaos. Speak up against false doctrine. Return to the Scriptures. Teach sound truth. Defend the gospel with your life, your integrity, and your voice. If we do not rebuke the wolves within, the world will continue to tear apart the Church from the outside.

To those who follow these pastors blindly: You owe it to Christ, not your pastor, to examine their teachings. Read your Bible. Ask questions. We are not saved by loyalty to a man, but by faith in Christ. If a teaching contradicts Scripture, reject it—no matter how popular the preacher may be.

To those who are concerned about what they see in their churches: You are not alone. Many feel the same way. Start small. Ask questions. Pray. Seek out believers who are committed to the truth of the gospel, not the theatrics of church business. Reform often begins in quiet conversations.

This blog is not just a response. It is a declaration. The Church of Jesus Christ is not dead. But it must be cleansed. The comedy must stop. The cross must rise again.

#ChristOverCulture #TruthOverTrend #ReformTheChurch