The John the Baptist approach to corruption

Today, the church is bewitched by corruption, which penetrates into micro & macro economic activities.

On December 5, 2013, the world woke up to an uncomfortable news. The story of the death of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, the country's first black head - filled the news. A state funeral was subsequently held on December 15, 2013 in Qunu in the Eastern Cape Province to lay Africa’s Beckon of hope to rest. Before dust could settle on his cloak, in December 2017, South Africa's anti-corruption watchdog alleged that officials working in cahoots with corrupt businesses siphoned off more than 1.3 million US dollars, earmarked for Nelson Mandela’s funeral. In such circumstances you wonder if corruption has no shame. Why would anyone indulge in such an immoral act?

The Voices

Kofi Anna ascribes to the World Bank’s view of corruption: “corruption is the single greatest obstacle to economic and social development ... corruption sabotages policies and programs that aim to reduce poverty, so attacking corruption is critical to the world’s overarching mission of poverty reduction”.

The Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic – Chinua Achebe also shares his views on corruption in Nigeria – “Nigeria following the first republic has been ruled by the same cult of mediocrity – a deeply corrupt cabal – for at least forty years, recycling themselves in different guises and incarnations. They have then deeply corrupted the local business elites who are in turn often pawns of foreign business interests”.

As intoned by Abiodun Ige, it is observed that in pristine Africa, Africans cherished values like honesty, love for neighbors, community spirit and other values distinct from those that are prominent today: individualism, selfishness, bribery, embezzlement, hoarding of wealth, and dishonesty. He adds that corrupt persons today are so systemic in style and have employed sophisticated tactics. For instance, ethnicity and favoritism - tribal, religious, denominational, and so on has become a norm of sorts.

We feel it

The story is told of how ‘clean’ individuals struggle to remain active in bureaucratic circles as they get caught up in the web. Good men are coerced by irresistible offers soon to become masters of the trade. In the judicial circles, prosecution may sometimes become a daunting task as prosecutable cases are adjourned for the umpteenth time – in search of the ‘absolute’ truth – which ironically stares us in the face every day – all in the name of justice. To many, the high rate of corruption has defiled common sense solutions as its effects can be felt in all facet of society: social, religious, economic, political, educational - you name it.

The Church and corruption

The Church has always been instrument in facilitating economic growth. The first missionaries understood the role of education in economic development thereby setting up schools and universities to chart that course of action. In the area of agriculture, the church has helped famers with capital to set up small-holder farms. In the area of medicine, the church has sponsored immunization programs for babies and support for nursing mothers. Yet, the Church today is filled with materialistic, money hungry, self-acclaimed bishops and prophets – who have given the church a bad name. The church, in the past used to provide safety net for poor – a form of insurance- but in today’s 21st century, do not ascribe any longer to social welfare policies nor does it interest itself with facilitating economic development through people empowerment.

Invariably, the church has become a cancerous living organism – a organization that will glorify a ‘plentiful’ giver soon to be called ‘elder’ or honored with a leather seat in the front row. Some pastors go beyond their means to live flamboyant lifestyles like the ‘loud’ politician. The materialistic concept of the ordinary society has been transferred into the church economic ethics. Today, small donors in the church have been relegated to the background. They have been alienated, marginalized and deserted – another form of church corruption.

The John the Baptist Approach

John the Baptist also known as Prophet Yahya in the Qur’an is probably best-known for the quote in Matt 3:2: “…for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand”. He directed this rant at his countrymen who were corrupt and selfish. These ethical instructions were made to denounce the status quo. In Luke 3:11-14, he chastised tax collectors. He instructed them not to be greedy but to “collect no more than is appointed you”. In the same vain he admonished soldiers never to extort money from citizens but to be content with their wages. John had no fear, as he confronted King Herod Antipas for the evil, corrupt and abominable acts he had perpetrated against his people in Luke 3:19; Matt. 14:4; and Mark 6:18.

John’s head literally ends up chopped and put on a platter – ordered by King Herod’s associate, Herodias, for speaking against evil and corruption. Indeed, John’s humility and ethical conduct is worthy of emulation by today’s church leaders, politicians and citizenry. Instead of being filled with jealousy and greed, business leaders, church leaders, politicians, academics, teachers, engineers, social workers and citizens must adhere to the highest ethical conduct possible to expunge corruption from our communities.

They say, charity begins at home, but actually it should begin from the church as the church is our spiritual home. The Church is losing its moral stature, and with it - economic decline. Can religious leaders reverse the trend? The spillover effect of church ‘accepted’ corruption can only be negative. But who is listening?

The author is an Assistant Professor of Economics and Entrepreneurship at Nobel International Business School – Africa’s Premier Doctoral School.

Email: profhod@gmail.com