The following is a summary of the the views expressed by Olufemi Oguntokun in the May 26, 2026’s episode of the On the Lord’s Side Podcast – Christian perspectives on news and current events.
ON GENERAL GOWON, HISTORY, AND THE BATTLE FOR MEMORY
Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, is back in the news following the release of his 881-page autobiography titled My Life of Duty and Allegiance. The book chronicles his rise to power as Nigeria’s youngest Head of State at age 31, his role during the Nigerian Civil War, post-war reconstruction, the creation of the NYSC, and his years after office.
Expectedly, the book has generated intense controversy, especially around the Biafran War narratives.
Many critics, particularly from Igbo and Biafran perspectives, accuse General Gowon of attempting to sanitize the federal side of the war, minimize civilian suffering, and unfairly place blame on the late Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu for the breakdown of the Aburi Accord and the eventual war itself.
But honestly, what do people expect?
This is General Gowon writing his own autobiography. Human beings rarely write autobiographies in ways that completely expose their own flaws. Most people write autobiographies partly to explain themselves, justify decisions, or preserve their preferred version of events.
And this is precisely why Christians should appreciate the uniqueness of Scripture.
When God records the history of His people in the Bible, He does not merely present the polished version. He gives us the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Abraham is the father of faith, yet Scripture openly records his failures.
David is described as a man after God’s heart, yet his sins are laid bare before the whole world.
That is not how human autobiographies are usually written.
But beyond the controversy itself, this entire debate reminds us of something profoundly important: if people do not tell their own stories, other people will tell those stories for them.
Truth and memory are sacred.
Silence creates a vacuum, and vacuums do not remain empty for long.
If history is not preserved, falsehoods eventually fill the space.
And this applies spiritually as well.
The reason many younger generations in parts of Europe and North America know almost nothing about Christianity today is because previous generations failed to diligently teach them the faith.
That is why Deuteronomy 6 repeatedly commands believers to teach God’s truth to their children continually — when sitting, walking, lying down, and rising up. Repeat it again and again. Become, in a sense, like a “broken record.”
We cannot be silent.
If Christians abandon the public square, other voices will occupy it.
If parents refuse to disciple their children, the culture will disciple them instead.
If believers stop proclaiming truth, falsehood will dominate by default.
And that is why Christians must continue engaging culture, history, ideas, and public discourse with discernment and courage.
ON POPE LEO XIV, SLAVERY, AND THE DANGERS OF CULTURAL PRESSURE
Another major story concerns Pope Leo XIV’s reported apology for the Vatican’s historical role in legitimizing slavery. The Pope reportedly described slavery as “a wound in Christian memory” and asked for pardon in the name of the church.
Now, many people in modern culture derive a certain satisfaction from demanding historical apologies.
You hear calls like:
“White people should apologize for slavery.”
“The Church should apologize for slavery.”
“This institution should apologize for what its forebears did.”
But one keeps asking: what exactly is the moral logic behind demanding that people apologize for actions they themselves never committed?
Scripture itself says in Jeremiah 31:29-30 that the proverb “the fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge” would no longer apply in that way. Each person bears responsibility for his own sin.
And we must also remember an important historical reality: slavery was not invented by Christianity.
Slavery existed across ancient civilizations — in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Roman Empire long before Christianity spread globally.
Now yes, the transatlantic slave trade was morally reprehensible.
Yes, African rulers who sold fellow Africans into slavery were wrong.
Yes, European colonial powers who transported human beings across oceans as cargo were wrong.
But Christians must think carefully and consequentially before yielding to every cultural demand for apology because these conversations rarely stop where they begin.
Once Christians concede certain premises, the next step quickly becomes:
“If slavery was wrong, and the Bible contains passages addressing slaves and masters, should Christians now apologize for those biblical texts too?”
And that is exactly where many voices in the culture are trying to lead these discussions.
The New Testament passages addressing slavery were not endorsements of slavery as an ideal institution. They were pastoral instructions directed at people already living within existing social structures in the Roman world.
Jesus Himself did not come primarily to overthrow Rome politically.
He came to change hearts.
And that remains the central mission of the church today.
The gospel transforms individuals first. Then transformed individuals begin influencing society.
True societal transformation flows from changed hearts, not merely from legal reforms imposed upon spiritually unchanged people.
ON SOCIAL CHANGE, ABORTION, AND THE LIMITS OF POLITICAL VICTORIES
This is why Christians must be careful not to confuse political victories with spiritual transformation.
Take the abortion debate in the United States.
For years, evangelical Christians fought for the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Eventually, the ruling was overturned. Many Christians celebrated — understandably so.
But now, statistics reportedly suggest that abortions continue through other means, including abortion pills distributed by mail.
And what does that teach us?
It teaches us that laws alone cannot solve the deeper problem if hearts remain unchanged.
You can alter legislation without transforming desires.
You can change policies without changing consciences.
That is why the church’s central mission must remain evangelism and discipleship.
People are the primary objects of Christian witness — individuals, hearts, minds, souls.
One American preacher once reportedly reminded a room full of enthusiastic evangelicals gathered around a political leader: “The kingdom of God will not come on the wings of Air Force One.”
And that statement is profoundly true.
No president can usher in the kingdom of God.
No political movement can regenerate the human heart.
Only the gospel can do that.
ON THE WEST MICHIGAN “WOMAN OF THE YEAR” FRAUD CASE
Another sobering story emerged from the United States involving a Nigerian-born woman, Nkechi Eze, who reportedly received a “West Michigan Woman of the Year” award before later being convicted in a $14 million fraud scheme involving preschool funds.
According to prosecutors, funds meant for vulnerable children were diverted for personal gain. A nonprofit organization she led eventually collapsed, resulting in layoffs and devastating consequences for the families who depended on its services.
And this story carries a deeply important spiritual lesson.
Human applause can be dangerously misleading.
People often celebrate what appears noble externally because they cannot see the heart.
Someone receives awards.
People clap.
Society praises them.
They are presented as champions of the vulnerable.
But God sees what men cannot see.
And this applies not only to NGOs and charities.
It applies to churches.
To ministries.
To public figures.
To activists.
To philanthropists.
Some people appear publicly sacrificial while privately serving themselves.
But no amount of applause can conceal motives from God.
That is why Scripture warns that many will one day say:
“Did we not do mighty works in Your name?”
And yet Christ will reply:
“I never knew you.”
The Lord sees not only actions, but motives.
And that should sober every single one of us.
This story should not discourage society from applauding genuinely good work. We should absolutely honor those making sincere sacrifices for others.
But it should remind us that outward appearances alone are never enough.
God examines the heart.
And anyone secretly exploiting charitable work, ministry, or public goodwill for selfish gain should repent immediately while mercy is still available.
Thank you for joining us once again on On the Lord’s Side — Christian perspectives on news and current events on GospelBellsRadio.com.
Whatever you do today, remain firmly on the Lord’s side.
