A growing number of Christian leaders across Africa and the global diaspora are sounding the alarm over what they describe as a dangerous rise in modern idolatry within the Church, marked by an increasing dependence on so-called “anointed” objects rather than faith in Christ.
Drawing from the biblical account of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21 and its later destruction by King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18, theologians argue that the Church is repeating an ancient mistake: transforming temporary instruments of divine intervention into permanent objects of devotion.
The bronze serpent—once used by God as a means of healing—eventually became an object of worship. Hezekiah destroyed it and called it “Nehushtan,” meaning a mere piece of bronze. Church leaders say this moment offers a powerful warning for today’s believers.
“Anything that once carried God’s instruction but now competes with God’s authority has become an idol,” one church consultant noted.
Sacred Objects or Spiritual Shortcuts?
Across many charismatic and Pentecostal congregations, items such as anointed oils, mantles, holy water, miracle sand, and prayer cloths have become central to worship practices. While often justified using isolated biblical events—such as Paul’s handkerchiefs in Acts 19 or Jesus’ use of clay in John 9—critics say these were never meant to become repeatable spiritual systems.
“These were extraordinary moments, not transferable methods,” theologians argue. “When faith is reduced to a formula, it stops being faith and starts looking like magic.”
Leadership and the Marketplace of Faith
Observers place much of the responsibility on church leadership, accusing some pulpits of promoting object-centered spirituality because it offers believers a sense of control—and generates revenue.
“When spiritual items are exchanged for ‘seeds,’ the altar becomes a marketplace,” said one analyst. “It’s a betrayal of the New Covenant, where believers themselves are the temple of the Holy Spirit.”
Critics warn that this trend risks re-introducing the very barriers Christ removed, subtly teaching believers that God’s power resides in objects rather than in a living relationship with Him.
Cultural Roots and Syncretism
The issue is particularly complex in African contexts, where spirituality has long been expressed through physical symbols. While this cultural richness is celebrated, theologians caution that it also makes congregations vulnerable to syncretism—blending Christian faith with traditional fetishistic practices.
“Christianity is not a superior form of magic,” one scholar stated. “It is a completely different kingdom.”
A Call for Modern-Day Hezekiahs
Church reformers are urging leaders to take bold, corrective action. Their recommendations include openly demystifying sacred objects, returning to Word-centered teaching, and modeling a “thing-free” faith that emphasizes prayer, obedience, and spiritual maturity.
The concern is not merely theological, but generational. Younger believers, particularly Gen Z and Alpha, are increasingly skeptical of performative religion and prosperity-driven spirituality.
“If the Church looks like a spiritual marketplace,” one youth leader warned, “the next generation will walk away.”
Turning Back to the Cross
As calls for reform grow louder, leaders emphasize that the solution is not the rejection of faith, but its purification.
“There is no power in the bottle, no virtue in the cloth, and no salvation in the seed,” one statement concluded. “The power is in the Name of Jesus alone.”
