Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube | Religion and Beliefs
HARARE – A heated theological exchange erupted on a Zimbabwean Online Zoom forum this week, highlighting deep doctrinal divisions within Christian circles, particularly concerning the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church and the nature of spiritual gifts.
The debate was sparked by an ex-SDA member, Tonderai Svinurai who issued a stark warning against the influence of Ellen G. White, a co-founder of the SDA church, labelling her teachings as “demonic.”
Svinurai listed several SDA doctrines as contradictory to the “true Gospel,” including the Investigative Judgment, the Scapegoat doctrine, soul sleep, and annihilationism. The critique also targeted the church’s understanding of baptism and the gift of tongues, accusing it of reducing the latter to “merely speaking human languages.”
A Call for Scriptural Fidelity
In response, another participant, Mandla Vundla, emphasized the primacy of scripture over human doctrine.
“No doctrine of man can pass the test of God. God himself establishes His will,” Vundla stated.
“However where one is found wanting the doctrine should align with scripture.”
Vundla went on to defend the ongoing work of Christ as a High Priest, arguing, “Jesus Christ finished the earthly work of salvation at the cross and goes on to do the work of salvation in heaven. He is our high priest. Interceding between man and God. That is his work today.”
They further critiqued Svinurai approach, saying,
“This guy has no scripture footing… It is poor to oppose without knowledge.”
The Tongues Controversy Erupts
The debate intensified over the nature of speaking in tongues. Vundla asserted,
“Tongues are real languages like Shona, Ndebele, Swahili, English, French etc… The one who speaks in tongues is moved by the spirit to do so without prior knowledge of the language.”
This interpretation was fiercely challenged by Svinurai, who cited the New Testament:
“Read your bible… [it] says he speaks to God not to man for he speaketh mysteries by the spirit. What’s mysterious about speaking languages of men?”
The Svinurai countered by referencing the Biblical account of Pentecost in Acts 2, where listeners heard the disciples in their native languages.
“They heard these people speak in their home language like Shona, Ndebele, Aramaic, Arabic… Tongues are languages. Common languages.”
The exchange grew pointed, with one participant accusing the other of being “carnally minded,” while the other suggested their critic had been “bewitched.”
A Broader Frustration Surfaces
Amidst the complex theological argument, a separate comment reflected a wider sentiment of disillusionment.
“Church ne politics ndozvinhu zvokupusisa manje (Church and politics are the most confusing things now),” the user remarked, suggesting such debates contribute to public confusion.
The discussion underscores the ongoing and often impassioned conversations around faith, interpretation, and doctrine within Zimbabwe’s vibrant religious community.
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