Part (2): Pastor Reno Omokri – A Bridge Builder Between Muslims & Christians
By: Dr. Salihu Lukman
My interest in understanding the true teachings of Jesus Christ according to the Bible was ignited in 1999 when I was a 100-level student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Every Sunday, Christian preachers would visit us and preach to us about Christianity in our rooms at the Dan Fodo Hall. Three years later in 2001, I enrolled in a Bible study course (22 years ago) where I obtained a certificate in Comparative Religious Studies. Hence, there is almost nothing new to me about all the corrections to the Christian practices and beliefs that Omokri advocates here.
On how a Biblical verse was changed from its original form to insert the concept of Trinity, Omokri has this to say.
“What Is The Origin of The Trinity?
A young man named Leke was so indignant at me for saying that the doctrine of the Trinity is satanic, and he asked me why I don’t believe in something that is in Scripture.
Sadly, many do not even know what Scripture is.
The Bible is NOT Scripture. And when Paul wrote about Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16, he was not referring to the New Testament. He was referring to the Torah.
It may surprise you to note that neither The Bible nor much of the New Testament was written when Paul was alive.
Other than the Gospel according to Luke, the only Gospel book whose human author we suspect we know is the Book of Mark. The present Book of Mark is not the original Book of Mark. Please don’t believe me. Assume that the devil is lying to you and research it yourself.
The oldest manuscripts of the Book of Mark end in Mark 16:8. Everything after Mark 16, verse 8, is of unsure origin.
Mark is believed to be written by John Mark, but in truth, nobody knows for certainty.
As for the Gospel according to John, the author is anonymous. It is believed, by faith, to be written by the apostle John. But nobody knows who actually wrote it.
I have been to the John Rylands University Library in Manchester to read the oldest surging fragment of the Gospel according to John (that is what I am doing in the attached photo), which is written in Greek.
But the reason many scholars believe John did not write the book that hears his name is because of John 21:24:
“This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. WE know that his testimony is true.”
The use of the term ‘we’ makes it more likely that John’s followers wrote the Gospel according to John.
As for the Gospel according to Matthew, it is attributed to the disciple, Matthew. But this attribution is done by faith. We simply do not know who wrote it. Especially as it was written in Greek,
The Gospel according to Luke, is based on the earlier Gospel according to Mark. Luke was not among the thence disciples and was likely a Greek speaking person based on the quality of his work.
The Trinity has not always existed. For the first 300 years of Christianity, there was nothing like the Trinity. The word does not exist in the Holy Scriptures. It was introduced during the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.
According to the official creeds of the Catholic, Anglican and the World Evangelical Alliance, the Trinity is a doctrine that projects one God in three Divine Persons, in which the three Persons are co-equal and, co-eternal and omniscient.
Is there co-equality between God, His Son and the Holy Spirit? In John 14:28, The Son said, “My Father is greater than I.” Obviously, that verse contradicts the first leg of the Trinity.
Almighty God is omniscient. He knows all things. But is His Son omniscient? In Matthew 24:36, The Son said, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, NOR THE SON, but only the Father.”
It is clear from the above Scripture that only The Father is omniscient.
So, where does the biblical authority for the Trinity come from? It comes from 1 John 5:7 in the King James Version. That verse says:
“There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
Now, here is the problem. When you read the original Greek manuscript, that verse does not exist. This is not even an argument or controversy. It is a FACT.
I will now quote it in the NIV, NLT, ESV and the Aramaic Bible in Plain English:
“There are three that testify”-NIV
“We have these three witnesses”-NLT
“There are three that testify”-ESV
“The Spirit testifies because The Spirit is the truth.”-Aramaic Bible in Plain English.
So where does the KJV get the part that justifies the Trinity? From men, not from God. Why did they do it? I do not know. But I know that most if not all, the scholars who translated the Holy Scriptures into the KJV were high level Masons.”
https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1705939722734813381
A Muslim drew his attention that if he conducts thorough research on Islam, he will ultimately accept it. He responded as follows.
“Dear @Ishaqor,
Thank you for your feedback. Perhaps you are not aware, but I have read al-Quran. And my wife speaks flawless Arabic. I respect prophet Muhammad, Salla Allahu Alayhi Wasalaam. But the reason I follow Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus Christ) rather than Nabi Muhammad (SAW) is because when asked where He was taking His followers, Yeshua told them clearly that if we believe in Him, we shall have everlasting life with Him in His Father’s Kingdom. And I believe Him.
However, I am not sure that the holy prophet Muhammad (SAW) told his followers, with certainty, what would happen to both him and them in the afterlife. However, if this is not true, then I apologise. But I am reasonably certain that it is.
Let me make this clear, because it seems some people are conflating issues.
My quarrel is with those who have distorted the pure message of Isa al-Masīḥ, whom God sent to reconcile man to Himself. My conflict is not with al-Masīḥ (Jesus Christ). I believe in Him as the only Way to God. I trust Him fully. I preach Him globally. But I don’t believe in Him as God Himself because He never claimed to be, and that is an adulteration of His message. And I am very content to live and die this way.
Thanks again, and may God bless you.
#TableShaker”
https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1705954939741094196
Omokri is definitely wrong in the above post when he claimed that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) did not tell his followers with certainty about what would happen to him and them in the afterlife.
On the rewards of the afterlife for those who believed in Allah, His prophets, and do good deeds, Allah says.
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ سَنُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًۭا ۖ لَّهُمْ فِيهَآ أَزْوَٰجٌۭ مُّطَهَّرَةٌۭ ۖ وَنُدْخِلُهُمْ ظِلًّۭا ظَلِيلًا ٥٧
” As for those who believe and do good, We will admit them into Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to stay there for ever and ever. There they will have pure spouses, and We will place them under a vast shade.” Qur’an 4:57.
وَبَشِّرِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ كُلَّمَا رُزِقُوا۟ مِنْهَا مِن ثَمَرَةٍۢ رِّزْقًۭا ۙ قَالُوا۟ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى رُزِقْنَا مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَأُتُوا۟ بِهِۦ مُتَشَـٰبِهًۭا ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِيهَآ أَزْوَٰجٌۭ مُّطَهَّرَةٌۭ ۖ وَهُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ ٢٥
” Give good news ˹O Prophet˺ to those who believe and do good that they will have Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow. Whenever provided with fruit, they will say, “This is what we were given before,” for they will be served fruit that looks similar ˹but tastes different˺. They will have pure spouses, and they will be there forever.” Qur’an 2:25
These are just a few of the many Quranic verses that support the Prophet’s (SAW) teachings about what will be the rewards of the believers in the afterlife. Hence, it is wrong to say that Muhammad (SAW) did not tell his followers with certainty what would happen to him and them in the afterlife.
In addition, the following Hadiths also buttress the Qur’anic verses above, the Prophet (SAW) said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, and establishes prayer, and pays the zakat, he will have his two gardens (Paradise).” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
“Whoever dies upon the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, and that Jesus is the servant and Messenger of Allah, and that he was created by His Word and His spirit, he will enter Paradise, whatever his actions may have been.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
The Prophet (SAW) also told his followers that he would be interceding for them on the Day of Judgment. He said:
“I will be the first intercessor on the Day of Judgment.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
The Prophet’s (SAW) teachings about the afterlife are a source of comfort and hope for Muslims. They believe that if they follow the Prophet’s (SAW) teachings, they will be rewarded with Paradise in the afterlife.
While responding to a question on whether the Kaduna church, ‘Our Lady of Fatima’, is named after Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) daughter Fatima, he has this to say.
“Dear King Aliy,
Thank you for your feedback. Actually, the church is not named after Fatima Bint Muhammad, the daughter of prophet Muhammad (SAW). Rather, it is named after the town of Fatima in Portugal, where an apparition, which claimed to be Mary (Maryam), the mother of our Lord and Saviour, appeared to the townspeople in 1917.
I went to Fatima to investigate the visitation, and while I cannot say who the being that appeared really is, I can say that the apparition did happen. It was not a hoax.
A lot of Muslims get confused that a town would be called Fatima in a very Roman Catholic country, like Portugal. The reason is that In the 8th century, Muslim Moorish people from North Africa conquered much of what is now Portugal and Spain and called their new territories al-Andalus. Today, the place is known as Andalusia.
Millions of White Europeans were taken and sold as enslaved people by the Moors. And the Moors ruled that part of Europe for 800 years.
When European Christians eventually regained control, they used such measures, like the Spanish Inquisition, to wipe out Islam and Judaism from that part of the world. Many of the Moorish people fled to North Africa, and much of the Jews fled to the Ottoman Empire.
Towns like Fatima in Portugal, Zaragoza in Spain, and Gibraltar (now a British dominion within Spain) are relics of the Moorish era.
Also, and especially amongst Shia, some Muslims invoke the Holy Mother. When Roman Catholics see this, they mistakenly assume they are praying to Mary. But they are not. They are asking the prophet’s daughter, Ruqayya bint Muhammad, to intercede for them.
To my knowledge, Sunni Muslims do not do this.”
https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1693968419735892074
Omokri might have mistakenly written Ruqayya instead of Fatima in the second to the last paragraph above. On invoking other people apart from Allah by some of the Islamic sects, some adherents of Shi’a and Sufism (Tariqa) venerate their Imams and so-called saints (Waliyyai) to the level of divinity. It is not uncommon to find a Shi’ite invoking Imam Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) or a Sufi invoking his Sufi masters such as Nyass (Gausi), Tijjani, or Abdulqadir Jilani for protection, guidance, or help in dealing with a difficult situation that only the Almighty Allah can intervene.
The authentic Islamic position on invoking anyone apart from Allah is that it is shirk, or polytheism. This is because shirk is the sin of associating partners with Allah. Invoking anyone other than Allah for help, intercession, or blessings is a form of shirk.
The Quran is unequivocal on this subject and contains many verses that prohibit shirk, including:
قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ١
ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ ٢
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ٣
وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ ٤
“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “He is Allah—One ˹and Indivisible˺. Allah—the Sustainer ˹needed by all˺. He has never had offspring, nor was He born. And there is none comparable to Him.” Qur’an 112: 1 – 4.
وَلَا تَدْعُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُكَ وَلَا يَضُرُّكَ ۖ فَإِن فَعَلْتَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذًۭا مِّنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ١٠٦
“And do not invoke, instead of Allah, what can neither benefit nor harm you—for if you do, then you will certainly be one of the wrongdoers.” Qur’an 10:106’
On Jesus Christ sent by the Almighty God as a prophet not as God incarnate, i.e., debunking the famous divinity of Jesus Christ, Omokri has this to say.
“When those who have been brainwashed by European paganism passing off itself as Christianity, are given Scriptural proof that contradicts their church doctrine, they begin to go spiritual, and claim they have a Rhema (spiritual insight that is esoteric and not available to the unbelieving). But read 2 Peter 1:20:
“No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”
A Rhema that tells you something contrary to Scripture is suspicious, even if it agrees with your church doctrine.
I have read Scripture in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. I have read Scripture in multiple English translations. There is nothing like Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Protestant, Calvinism, and so on in Scripture. There is only the Ekklesia (the gathering of believers).
There is scarcely a place mentioned in Scripture that I have not physically visited, not because I have money or want to boast, but because of genuine love for God. That is my only motive. I am looking for what God’s Word says and that is why I have gone as far as Ethiopia, Manchester (John Rylands University Library), Israel, Rome, and Egypt, in search of the original Scriptures.
Therefore, it is unwise to allow church doctrine to shift you away from what Scripture says. You respect men too much. If anybody brings you any doctrine, no matter how eloquent and philosophical, that does not emanate from Scripture, INCLUDING ME, donate to that person a very hot slap and go your way. Let them carry their Trinity, purgatory, Christmas, Easter, forbidding men to marry, and so on, and keep it in their Europe, where their own people are rejecting these lies in record numbers.
What Yeshua (Jesus) taught is very simple. It is men who want to make it complicated. Yeshua was a Jewish Rabbi who taught as follows.
I am not God, and only God is good-Mark 10:18.
God sent Me-John 3:16.
If it were left to Me, I would not have allowed men to kill Me. I did it to obey God. It was not My desire. It was His-Matthew 26:39.
I am the Way to God. But I am not Myself God-John 14:6.
I sit on the right Hand of God-Mark 14:62.
On My Own, I can do nothing except what God tells Me-John 5:30.
Just as you pray to God, so do I also pray to God-Matthew 27:46.
I am not equal to God-John 14:28.
I know a lot, but I don’t know everything like God-Matthew 24:36.
The popular way is DEFINITELY the wrong way-Matthew 7:13.
Even in heaven, I am still subject to God-1 Corinthians 15:28.
Oya, start to insult me. Am I the first person you will insult? What did my Master say?
“It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul (satan), how much more the members of his household!”-Matthew 10:25.
#TableShaker”
On the legality of polygamy in Christianity, he has this to say.
“Dear @OlobeOfLagos1,
Thank you for your question. The views I will give here are my own opinions and not something that the Holy Spirit told me. It is also not the standard view in Pentecostal, Evangelical or mainstream Protestant Christendom, and Roman Catholicism. These are purely and simply personal opinions based on my intellectual study of Scripture and spiritual insights.
I am legally married to only one wife. I have never been married to two women simultaneously, and have never committed adultery with another woman while married.
However, I do not condemn polygamy. For the following reasons:
1.God Himself gave David multiple wives. As we can see from the following verse of Scripture:
“I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more.”-2 Samuel 12:18.
1.Abraham, Jacob, David, and many other patriarchs and pastors were polygamous.
1.I am not sure that one woman can satisfy the sexual libido of one man for a lifetime, especially given that biologically, women experience menopause in their forties, which comes with decreased libido. In contrast, biologically, men can maintain their libido into their eighties. What is a married man to do in such circumstances?
1.Scripture prescribes monogamy and even total abstinence for only Bishops. We see this in the following verses:
“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”-1 Timothy 3:2.
“It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.”-1 Corinthians 7:8.
Having said the above, it would seem that BEFORE the fall, when man was still innocent, God’s intention was for monogamy. The reason I say this is because He created only one wife for Adam, and His definition of marriage appears to support one man, one wife, as we can see from Genesis 2:24:
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
However, after the fall of man, men and women were punished differently-Genesis 3:16-19.
As a result, different things happened to their bodies when man fell and lost perfection. One of the differences is that their biological clocks were no longer in equal alignment. Men retained virility much longer than women, which may be (this is an opinion, not an insight from Scripture or the Spirit) why God allowed polygamy after the fall.
In conclusion, I believe that polygamy is not a sin and that it is better than adultery and gay marriage. But these are my personal views, and I could be wrong, and because I could be wrong, I don’t want to mislead people, so approach God in prayer and get your own enlightenment on this issue.
Thanks again, and may God bless you.
#TableShaker”
https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1693540783121395979?s=20
On the morals displayed by Muslims, he has this to say.
“Say what you want about Islam, but the morals Muslims display are commendable. How many practicing Muslim women do you see slaying? Paternity fraud is almost nonexistent in Islamic countries. Faith is not the only object of religion. Morality is just as vital!
#RenosNuggets”
https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1659877577819844608
On how Islam stands out as a complete way of life, by covering all aspects of their day-to-day endeavors, he has this to say.
“One reason I respect Islam is how it provides a complete way of life. Islam does not just cover how to pray or mosque. Even how you have intercourse, with your spouse, eat, sleep, go to toilet, etc, are governed by Islam. Islam gives Muslims clarity throughout life
#RenosNuggets”
https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1617603878115237888?lang=en
Regarding obedience to one’s mother, he cited a popular Hausa rendering of the summary of all Hadiths dealing with the topic. After all, Pastor Reno Omokri was born and brought up in Sokoto, Nigeria and he speaks Hausa. His father, Justice Christopher Omokri, was a judge of the Sokoto State High Court. Reno Omokri attended primary and secondary school in Sokoto and later went on to study law at the University of Benin.
Omokri has spoken publicly about his experiences growing up in Sokoto and has said that he had a happy and fulfilling childhood there. He has also said that he is proud of his Sokoto heritage and that it has shaped his views on religion, culture, and politics.
“Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said paradise lies at a mother’s feet because no human love is greater than a mother’s love. Even if you are not a Muslim, you can still consider the depth and morality of this truism. Never quarrel with someone who brought you into this world because of a woman who rocks your world, be it your wife or lover. Especially when she will not discharge her own paradise of a mother but wants you to hands off yours. You can’t accept God and reject your parents when it is God who gave you to your parents!
#RenosNuggets”
https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1671480173865345024
On his call for Christians and Muslims to tolerate and respect one another, he has this to say.
“Your parents can choose your religion for you, but only you should select your faith. Religion is your relationship to your church or mosque or whatever physical place you worship. Faith is your relationship with the one true spiritual God. You were born into your religion, but you choose your faith. Don’t hate Islam and Muslims because you are a Christian, and don’t disdain Christianity and Christians because you are a Muslim. Don’t even look down on traditional African religion. Stealing, bribery and corruption are worse now in Africa than when our ancestors practised their ancient religions. Now, men are marrying men and women are wedding women in African nations with Christian and Muslim majorities. In pre colonial Africa, that could never happen. So, how bad could our ancestors faiths had been? Be open minded. If God speaks to you through faith, then explore it without looking down on others just because of their beliefs.
#RenosNuggets”
https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1689248265286356992
On his call for non-Muslims to respect the sensibilities of the Nigerian Muslims, he has this to say.
“It is essential that non-Muslims respect the sensibilities of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah, in particular, and the worldwide mumins. These are honourable people who hold steadfastly to the teachings of nabi Muhammad (Salla Allahu Alayhi Wasalaam). In ignorance of their sacred principles, it is possible to cause unintended offence. However, when that is brought to light, there should not be any hesitation to address and redress those hurts.
The gentleness of our brothers and sisters should not be taken for granted. And I urge anyone who has become aware of how their actions have caused grief to adherents of Islam to speedily make amends so that the issue is laid to rest as soon as possible.
Wisdom is profitable to direct.”
https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1683190042305413120
He went on to appreciate the Muslims for always standing against any internal or external attack on their faith.
“Dear @Humble09030,
Thank you for your feedback. When someone is insulting your religion, you can be polite. But I have every confidence in the Muslim Ummah to speak out forcefully when their religion is insulted. I may not be a Muslim. But if any group of people genuinely love God, it is the Mumin.
Many of you will physically defend your girlfriends if another man insults or assaults her. And the same set of people wants Muslims to be nice when a mere mortal inadvertently insults their religion.
You really don’t understand the North. If you insult them, they can take it. But if you insult Yeshua Hamashiach (yes, they don’t accept an insult to Jesus) or Muhammad (SAW).
For example, Harira Jibrin and her four underaged daughters were murdered by unknown gunmen in Anambra. Did Northerners reciprocate by killing Igbos? Ahmed Gulak was killed in Imo. Did they react? But try to insult prophet Muhammad even on the moon, and they will forcefully respond.
I urge you also to cast your mind back to how the Muslim Ummah condemned Nasir El-Rufai over his infamous Jesus joke.
From the bottom of my heart, I wish the body of Christ were as passionate for God as the Muslim Ummah. If we Christians respect our faith the way Muslims respect theirs, the moral fabric of our society will be higher than it is today. There will be peaceful mutual religious coexistence because they will know our boundaries, and we would know theirs, and that knowledge will bring peace.
Thanks, and May God bless you.
#TableShaker”
https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1683483536114823170
There are several of his posts about motivations, how to make money online, politics, and the true account of the 1966 coup with incontrovertible evidence. He is also a fierce critic of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Nasiru El-Rufa’I, and Peter Obi.
On supporting irresponsibility and greed by being generous, he has this to say.
“I am not heartless because I refuse to give or lend you money (which you will never repay) for your emergency. Your failure to plan or prioritise is not my emergency. You can’t be using luxuries and begging for necessities. I never claimed to be nice. I am wise—big difference! My generosity is strategic, not erratic. I give where there is need, not where there is greed.
#RenosNuggets”
https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1686301365813858304
Despite being a staunch PDP member, he would go out of his way to defend the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu so long as he is convinced that the president is on track. This he did on several occasions that you may tend to wonder, ‘Was Reno Omokri hired to defend the policies of this APC-led government in spite of belonging to the opposition party?’. He would always say the bitter truth however unpopular it may be.
“A Tale of Two Nations
Minimum wage in Ghana is GHS446 or $40
Minimum wage in Nigeria is ₦30,000 or $38
A litre of fuel in Ghana costs GHS12.486 or $1.14
A litre of fuel in Nigeria costs ₦617 or $0.78
A bottle of coke in Ghana is GHS7, or $0.62.
A bottle of coke in Nigeria is ₦250, or $0.31.
Nigerian universities tuition average ₦50000 or $65.
Ghanaian universities tuition average GHS17,145 or $1503.
Please Fact-Check me:
Things are not easy in Nigeria. The government must increase the minimum wage and work with the private sector to improve the economy. Having said that, Nigeria is not the worst country on Earth. Quite the opposite. There are much benefits to being a Nigerian. Many countries would die to have the economic conditions we have in Nigeria. Things are not perfect. They can be a lot better. But Nigeria is still a great nation!
#TableShaker”
https://twitter.com/renoomokri/status/1684158425511391234
Conclusion
I can go on and on quoting his numerous posts on reviving the practices and beliefs of Christianity and his endorsement of Islamic practices and beliefs, but I will stop here. Reading Omokri’s posts made me become convinced that if Christians will heed his call and adjust their practices and beliefs accordingly, then, the disagreements between Christians and Muslims will reduce to the lowest level. Consequently, this will promote unity and peaceful coexistence among the adherents of these religions.
Salihu Lukman is an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia
