Seeding: A scholarly view

Professor Tabona Shoko —
IN my view, the issue of seeding falls within the purview of the gospel of prosperity which has serious theological challenges. His (Prophet Makandiwa) projection of seeding is too simplistic.

In fact, it is too good to be true. His prophecy has no biblical basis. There is little or no reference to Christ’s miracles in the Bible.

The prophet’s message in that video amounts to some form of deception. Who gets the fruits of seeding other than the prophet himself?

His theological interpretation of faith and seeding is misleading. There are some devoted Christians in the church who have never received any miracles despite having all the faith, paying tithes, offerings and seeding.

Is there a contradiction in the teaching of the gospel of prosperity which is being preached in the church? ls the gospel an endowment of a few?

This gospel teaches that the tongue has power over life and death, therefore one should speak positive things – which is faith – and if it is combined with positive thoughts and beliefs, it can lead to tremendous riches.

However, this has failed to work for many people. To make matters worse, the church claims to use its faith as basis for prosperity and deliverance but the biblical position is centered on justification by faith alone.

Professor Shoko is from the University of Zimbabwe’s Department of Religious Studies, Classics and Philosophy

Scripture of the week

Proverbs 30:24-28

There are four things that are small on the earth,

But they are exceedingly wise:

The ants are not a strong people,

Yet they prepare their food in the summer;

The (a)shephanim are not a mighty folk,

Yet they make their houses in the rocks;

The locusts have no king,

Yet all of them go out in groups;

You may grasp the lizard with your hands,