Let the Church Preach Christ, Not Fight Over Sir Wicknell’s Death

By Desmond Nleya
The death of Sir Wicknell Chivayo has become a subject of discussion far beyond Zimbabwe, and rightfully so, given the influence he had and the number of people whose lives he touched.
However, there is something deeply painful for every true believer in the Gospel when the pulpit is used to discuss, defend or explain the death of an individual rather than to preach Christ.
Let the Church Preach Christ, Not Fight Over Sir Wicknell’s Death
Sir Wicknell was reportedly referred to as “Mukuru Wemazuva”, meaning “Ancient of Days”. That title carries serious biblical significance because the Ancient of Days is a title used for God in Scripture. I leave the theological judgment of that reference to those qualified to make it, but I believe the timing and context were inappropriate.
The death has also triggered questions about prophets. Immediately after the tragedy, a social media user, Mukunukwa, wrote that “all prophets are fake” because they had failed to see the tragedy coming.
That reaction is understandable when viewed from the shock and anger surrounding the death. For some people, Sir Wicknell's close association with prophets created an expectation that his relationship with them should somehow have protected him from death or that the prophets should have foreseen the accident.
But should prophets stop death?
Who can stop death?
These are important questions.
The same public has previously celebrated when a prophecy appeared to have been fulfilled, including in cases involving the death of political figures such as Geza. When a prophecy appears to come true, some people quickly point to it as evidence of the prophet's accuracy. When something unexpected happens, however, the same prophets are questioned for failing to see it.
Social media users have every right to ask questions, including questions about the role of prophets. But Christians should be careful about turning those questions into a war within the body of Christ.
Prophet Makandiwa was right in saying that he does not see everything. That position is consistent with the basic understanding that no human being, including a prophet, knows everything.
John the Baptist was described by Jesus as the greatest among those born of women. Yet John was eventually beheaded on the orders of Herod. His death did not make him a false prophet.
Therefore, the death of Sir Wicknell cannot, by itself, be used as evidence that prophets are either genuine or fake.
What concerns me more is the response from within the Church itself.
For a long time, Prophet Makandiwa has remained relatively quiet in the face of criticism and attacks directed at him. However, in addressing the issue surrounding Sir Wicknell's death, he reportedly referred to Prophet Chiwenga, without initially naming him, and argued that he too had failed to foresee the death of his wife.
He went further and made serious allegations concerning Prophet Chiwenga and young boys.
Prophet Chiwenga has since responded, and what could have remained a theological discussion has now developed into a public confrontation between two men of God.
This is exactly what the Church should be trying to avoid.
The question should not be which prophet is winning the argument. The question should be whether Christ is being preached.
The same concerns arise in parts of the apostolic sector, where various claims and audio recordings have circulated following Sir Wicknell's death. Some of the claims have suggested that the late businessman was involved in rituals connected to political power. Whether such recordings are genuine or fabricated is a matter that must be established before anyone accepts them as fact.
Nevertheless, they have raised serious questions about some practices and beliefs within the apostolic sector.
There have also been claims that some apostolic groups were not allowed to freely give prophecies concerning Sir Wicknell and that certain protocols had to be followed because of his status and political connections.
What is clear, however, is that the death has exposed deep disagreements within sections of the Church.
And that is the most disturbing part.
The Church is supposed to be teaching people about the love of Christ, forgiveness, humility, salvation and eternal life. Instead, believers are watching church leaders fight publicly over a dead man.
No human being is above death.
Whether one is a prophet, politician, businessman, pastor, apostle or ordinary citizen, death eventually comes to everyone.
There is also another difficult question that Christians should consider.
If Sir Wicknell's death was a punishment from God, as some people have suggested, what about the other people who were on board the aircraft? What had they done to deserve the same fate?
These are questions that should make us cautious about making quick spiritual conclusions about someone's death.
There is nothing wrong with mourning Sir Wicknell. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging his achievements, his generosity or the influence he had on many people. There is nothing wrong with discussing the circumstances surrounding his death.
But the pulpit should not become a courtroom where prophets defend themselves, attack one another or attempt to provide answers that only God can provide.
The pulpit belongs to the Gospel.
The dead should be allowed to rest, while the living should be reached with the message of Christ.
The Church must unite.
The Church must stop fighting over Sir Wicknell's death.
The Church must return to its central responsibility: preach Christ, serve people and lead souls to God.
Asante.