BLISSFUL IGNORANCE: A PEP-TALK TO AN ARMCHAIR THEOLOGIAN.




                                                                                         
    
https://youtu.be/HTKYsj1Yktg?si=vM8MbX3B-J5R_ecp 


   

 "I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him,"[1] as Shakespeare famously wrote. In a reversal of intent, I come not to applaud but to witness folly in its most uninformed form.  I find myself compelled to observe the absurdities of self-assured ignorance. Few things are more maddening than enduring the endless rambling of someone who, with unwavering confidence, stumbles through a jumble of half-formed thoughts, blissfully oblivious to their own confusion. The effect is not merely mentally draining; by the end of it, one is left with the disconcerting feeling that their own faculties have somehow been diminished, as though the very act of listening has cost them a point on their IQ.

    A particularly striking example of this kind of intellectual disarray surfaced recently in a video that pitted the evangelical pastor Abel Damina against the Catholic priest John Chinenye Oluoma in a debate about matters of faith and doctrine. The pastor, in his eagerness to assert theological truths, confidently wove a series of heretical claims, citing scriptural passages that, far from supporting his arguments, only highlighted the shaky foundations upon which his theological edifice is built. While his blunders were not particularly original, indeed, the heresies he championed have been challenged and debunked for centuries, the sheer audacity with which he paraded his ignorance was startling. If one can offer a faint praise, it is this: at least the heretics of history, misguided though they were, had the decency to dress their errors in the trappings of intellectual sophistication. Damina, by contrast, presents a spectacle more akin to a toddler attempting brain surgery: bewildering, tragic, and most definitely not something you want to witness for long.

   I’m hesitant to extend the offer of a free catechesis to him. Having spent countless hours under the rigorous tutelage of some of the finest theological minds at Saint Augustine Seminary in Jos, I have had the privilege of learning from professors such as Fr. Lawrence Hammawa, a scholar deeply versed in dogmatic theology, one whose insights are grounded in years of study and devotion. How I wish the pastor would at least avail himself of the space occupied by classical texts, texts that have shaped Christian thought for centuries. If only he would open himself to be properly taught, rather than floundering in the shallow end of self-made theology. Thank goodness, it seems the internet is now at his fingertips, a world of knowledge is just a click away. One can only hope he resists the temptation to become further entrenched in the cesspool of theological nonsense that flourishes online. There is so much garbage out there, and it would be a real tragedy if he were to bury himself deeper in it rather than seeking the wisdom that has withstood the test of time. It's all there for the taking, if only he'd make the effort.

    It is tempting to catalogue the specific theological errors he espoused, to counter each misrepresentation with scriptural references and historical context. But such a task feels futile when the root of the problem lies not in the particulars of his theology, but in his fundamental misunderstanding of the very nature of theological inquiry. His approach to Scripture is akin to a child attempting to solve a puzzle without understanding the pieces. My response, then, is not to educate him, but to issue a simple plea: READ!!!!!!!!. To attempt to teach someone who thinks they can score points by twisting logic and misinterpreting texts is a fruitless endeavour. It is clear that he has not even begun to scratch the surface of the intellectual depth required to engage meaningfully with theology.

    I find myself just as offended by the theological language he employs as I am by the theological constructs he so confidently parades. The internet, sadly, has become a free-for-all where anyone with an opinion can suddenly become a self-proclaimed star, regardless of how little they truly understand. It’s a curious age we live in, where ignorance is often dressed up as insight, and self-appointed experts are given a platform to mislead rather than enlighten.  For those, like Pastor Damina, who would undoubtedly find the complexities of the ancient languages of Greek, Hebrew or Latin challenging, there is no shame in seeking proper instruction. The foundation of proper theological inquiry is built upon an understanding of these languages, and without it, one risks drowning in confusion. Before one can confidently pontificate on matters of faith, it is essential to first learn the basics. The effort may be humbling, but it is, in the end, the only way to avoid the pitfalls of theological arrogance. 

    One could laugh, if it weren’t so tragically misguided. I could easily deconstruct the endless errors, but why waste time untangling the mess of a mind so content in its confusion? So, here I am, caught in a moment of surreal disbelief, and honestly..................I am at a loss for words.



 Hemen A. Emmanuel O.S.A

Colegio Mayor Mendel. C. del Rector Royo-Villanova, 6, Moncloa - Aravaca, 28040 Madrid

Madrid, España.   


[1] Quote from Julius Caesar, Act 3, Scene 2

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