NEW TOTALITARIAN NEW TOTALITARIAN THREATS IN AFRICA AND THREATS IN AFRICA AND

THE CHRISTIAN HOPETHE CHRISTIAN HOPE AIESC 2014-CHARTRES

FRANCE

REV. FR. ELLIS -ANGLICAN PRIEST DIOCESE OF ACCRA-GHANA

TOTALITARIANISMTOTALITARIANISM• According to Oxford Dictionary, Totalitarianism

refers to a dictatorial form of centralized government that regulates every aspect of state and private behavior.

• Has been in existence since the days of Cain

• TOTALITARIANISM sees no authority outside itself.

• Al Qaeda, Al Shabab, Taliban, Boko Haram, Mali Tuaregs, the New ISIS Islamic State ,Hitler’s Nazi Germany,

• slave and sex trade, old cultural practices like FGM/others, insurgencies, uprisings, coup d'états, destabilizations, sophisticated bombings of countries, rampant suicide bombings, civil wars, kidnapping for ransom

Is totalitarianism or something Is totalitarianism or something similar what is happening in similar what is happening in Sudan, Central African Republic, Sudan, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Nigeria, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Iran and recently Russia-Iran and recently Russia-Ukraine?Ukraine?

ISIS ultimatum to Christians living in Mosul in Iraq : convert to Islam, pay tax or die.

 Boko Haram : 2,053 civilians have been

killed in an estimated 95 attacks during the first half of 2014.

The abduction of the over 200 Chibok girls

Pledge to rid Nigeria of Christianity

Totalitarian threat in the West Totalitarian threat in the West and other places around the and other places around the world?world?

What happens when the What happens when the Government itself begins to Government itself begins to implement and lead the implement and lead the citizens in sinful acts and citizens in sinful acts and ways?ways?

TO ‘fa ma Nyame’ or NOT TO ‘fa ma Nyame’ ?

BIBLICAL PROPHECY ABOUT BIBLICAL PROPHECY ABOUT TOTALITARIANISMTOTALITARIANISM

II Timothy 3:1-4

I Timothy 4:1-2

Daniel Chapter 2

WHAT LEADERSHIPWHAT LEADERSHIP

The Philosopher-King vs. The Prophet-King

WHAT IS HOPE?WHAT IS HOPE?"I don't know what's going to

happen tomorrow, but I hope it happens."

"set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ".

Hope is not wishful thinking.

Has the church neglected its Has the church neglected its role as the hope, voice and role as the hope, voice and conscience of God and conscience of God and became more engrossed in the became more engrossed in the things of the world? things of the world?

CAUSES OF CAUSES OF TOATALITARIANISMTOATALITARIANISMthe poor getting poorer, uneven

distribution of national wealth, nuclear threats, arms proliferation, greed and corruption

Grievance-Greed Theory

Galatians 5:16-18

WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN HOPE?HOPE?• Our future is secured and satisfied by

God• Jesus gave power to the Church “to

bind” and destroy all phenomena of darkness and “to lose” all phenomena of light and illumination Matt. 16:19

• Jesus said – “the Ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me” John14:30

• We learn that Jesus told the disciples that God’s power is Supreme. Acts 1:6-7

Jesus has delegated the Divine power through the Holy Spirit (Dunamis) to the New Testament Church at its inauguration.

The New Testament Ecclesia is “The Hope” of Salvation for a troubled world of darkness.

IS THE CHURCH LIVING UP IS THE CHURCH LIVING UP TO ITS DIVINE TO ITS DIVINE

EXPECTATIONS?EXPECTATIONS?Through its Prayer-Life on all issues concerning all mankind?

Through seeking the face of God and his will at all times even under persecution?

Through Righteousness in its dealings with all people regardless of colour, race or gender?

QUESTIONS AND QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSANSWERS

The Christian The Christian hope..........Christ in you hope..........Christ in you the hope of glory. the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27Colossians 1:27