Benjamin Babine

This is one of those unnecessary points that you don’t need to pick a fight with people about. Yes, in the immediate context, the “thief” refers to false teachers. But false teachers do not operate in a vacuum. Scripture consistently presents them as instruments of a deeper spiritual opposition. So while the immediate reference may be false teachers, the ultimate force at work is Satan. These are not mutually exclusive ideas, hence does not need this. For example, in the text below, John tells believers to test the spirits. Yet in practical terms, it is false prophets who are physically teaching and spreading error. John’s point is that there is a spiritual influence behind them that must be discerned. The false prophets are the visible agents; the spirit behind them is the greater concern. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1 KJV Let’s stop trying to be unnecessarily disagreeable.

“Cessationism claims historical support, stating that there is no indication that miraculous gifts continued after the death of the apostles. However, continuationists maintain that the church record disagrees. They cite the following examples: • Justin Martyr (AD 100–165): “The prophetical gifts remain with us even to the present time…” • Irenaeus (AD 125–200): “We do also hear many brethren in the church who possess prophetic gifts and through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages…” • Novatian (AD 210–280): “[The Holy Spirit] places prophets in the church… directs tongues, gives powers and healings…” • Augustine (AD 354–430), though often cited against continuationism, later wrote in *The City of God*: “I cannot record all the miracles I know.” • More recent figures such as John Wesley, A. W. Tozer, R. A. Torrey, and J. P. Moreland also affirmed the continuation of the gifts.” From GotQuestions’ article “What is continuationism?”, a steelman presentation of the continuationist historical argument, even though GotQuestions itself holds a cessationist position: gotquestions.org/continuationis… I’m sharing this because the claim that tongues or other miraculous gifts are absent from early church history is simply not true. You may argue over interpretation, abuse, or theological implications, but not absence. The historical record does not support that claim.

This balloon injection challenge is not a real test of who can give proper injections, and I blame the medical schools or personnel promoting it for giving the public the wrong impression. People who “pass” usually inject through the thicker base of the balloon, while those who “fail” often hit the thin, stretched sides. No matter how gentle or skilled you are, the thin side is more likely to burst. So the challenge is more about knowing the trick than actual clinical skill. Real-life injections depend on anatomy, technique, patient assessment, and proper training, not balloons. See people in the comment section insulting the students who did not get it. We better get serious.

Nigerian student nurses doing the balloon and syringe challenge

This balloon injection challenge is not a real test of who can give proper injections, and I blame the medical schools or personnel promoting it for giving the public the wrong impression. People who “pass” usually inject through the thicker base of the balloon, while those who “fail” often hit the thin, stretched sides. No matter how gentle or skilled you are, the thin side is more likely to burst. So the challenge is more about knowing the trick than actual clinical skill. Real-life injections depend on anatomy, technique, patient assessment, and proper training, not balloons. See people in the comment section insulting the students who did not get it. We better get serious.

Good day sir. This your response is thoughtful, but it still contains serious theological weaknesses and subtly arrives at conclusions the New Testament does not support. The biggest issue is that you are unintentionally creating multiple parallel systems of salvation: Jews through the Law. Gentiles through conscience and nature. Christians through the Gospel. By the way, even this framing is conceptually flawed. Jews and Gentiles are pre-existing categories of humanity. “Christian” is not. Christians are people from the world who heard and believed the Gospel. So the Gospel is not a separate salvation system assigned to Christians alongside Law and conscience. Rather, the Gospel is God’s proclamation to both Jew and Gentile alike, through which those who believe become Christians. The New Testament therefore does not fundamentally divide humanity into Jews, Gentiles, and Christians as three parallel salvific groups. However, that aside, Romans 1 and 2 are not teaching three separate saving paths. Paul’s entire conclusion from Romans 1 to 3 is the exact opposite: Jews fail the Law. Gentiles fail conscience. All humanity is guilty before God. Therefore all humanity needs grace through Christ. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 The purpose of conscience in Romans 2 is primarily to establish moral accountability, not to present conscience as an independent route to salvation. Likewise, Romans 1:20 does not say creation saves people. It says creation leaves humanity “without excuse.” That passage is fundamentally about accountability before God, not redemption. So while your response correctly identifies varying degrees of revelation, it overextends the role of natural revelation and conscience beyond what Paul himself argues. We must always affirm what Christianity has consistently taught: Christ alone saves. Not: Some are saved by Torah. Some by conscience. Some by Christ. The New Testament never presents conscience as an alternative savior alongside Christ. At most, it presents conscience and creation as forms of revelation through which God may judge justly. This distinction matters. However, to answer the original post. The truth is that the Gospel is not merely additional information that raises accountability. The Gospel is God’s ordained means of reconciliation, forgiveness, transformation, and assurance of salvation. In the Gospel, we find the fullest revelation of God. Yes, God judges every person justly according to the light they genuinely received. But salvation itself remains grounded in the grace of God through Christ alone. What we are assured of is that God is perfectly just. His wisdom and counsel far exceed the limits of human understanding. He is perfectly merciful. All salvation is through Christ. All people are accountable for the light they have received. And the Judge of all the earth will do right.

Fellow Nigerians, good morning. I woke up this morning after my church service with a deeply reflective heart, and despite every constraint, I felt compelled to share these thoughts with you. Many people do not truly understand the silent pains some of us carry daily—the private struggles, emotional burdens, and quiet battles we face while trying to survive and serve sincerely in difficult circumstances. We now live in an environment that has become increasingly toxic, where the very system that should protect and create opportunities for decent living often works against the people—a society where intimidation, insecurity, endless scrutiny, and discouragement have become normal. More painful is when some of those you associate with, believing you would find understanding and solidarity among them, become part of the pressure you face. Some who publicly identify with you privately distance themselves or join in unfair criticism. We live in a society where humility is mistaken for weakness, respect is seen as a lack of courage, and compassion is treated as foolishness—a system where treating people equally is questioned simply because you refuse to worship status, tribe, class, or power. Personally, I have never looked down on anyone except to uplift them. I have never used privilege, position, or resources to oppress others, intimidate the weak, or make people feel small. To me, leadership has always been about service, sacrifice, and helping others rise. Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them. However, the same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division, instead of focusing on deeper national problems and playing politics built more on control and exclusion than on service and nation-building. Even within spaces where one labours sincerely, one is sometimes treated like an outsider in one’s own home. You and your team become easy targets for every failure, frustration, or misunderstanding, as though honest contribution has become a favour being tolerated rather than appreciated. And when you choose to leave so that those you are leaving can have peace, and you step out into the cold, you are still maligned and your character is questioned. Despite all your efforts to continue working for a better Nigeria and engaging people with sincerity and goodwill, those who do not wish you well continue to attack your character and question your intentions. There are moments I ask God in prayer: Why is doing the right thing often misconstrued as wrongdoing in our country? Why is integrity not valued? Why is the prudent management of resources, especially when invested in critical areas like education and healthcare, wrongly labelled as stinginess? Why are humility and obedience to the rule of law often taken to be weakness rather than discipline? Let me assure all that I am not desperate to be President, Vice President, or Senate President. I am desperate to see a society that can console a mother whose child has been kidnapped or killed while going to school or work. I am desperate to see a Nigeria where people will not live in IDP camps but in their homes. I am desperate for a country where Nigerian citizens do not go to bed hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from. Yet, despite everything, I remain resolute. I firmly believe that Nigeria can still become a country with competent leadership based on justice, compassion, and equal opportunity for all. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

Let me leave this here for my fellow Christians….make what you make of this

This is true. I confidently argued with my wife over it. We checked ChatGPT and I was humbled. It’s very true!

What your xenophobia won’t allow you to be intelligent enough to calculate is the real worth of ₦10 million in 2009. That was roughly $67,000 USD at the time. When adjusted for inflation and purchasing power, it’s equivalent to well over 1 million South African Rand today. When people are told to educate themselves, some assume it’s a scam. That attitude reflects a lot of things. Continue in your ignorance, they say it’s bliss after all.

What your xenophobia won’t allow you to be intelligent enough to calculate is the real worth of ₦10 million in 2009. That was roughly $67,000 USD at the time. When adjusted for inflation and purchasing power, it’s equivalent to well over 1 million South African Rand today. When people are told to educate themselves, some assume it’s a scam. That attitude reflects a lot of things. Continue in your ignorance, they say it’s bliss after all.

This is crazy he actually won under 130k in SA 🤣

A woman is in pain and her husband won’t sign the consent form for a Caesarean Section (CS). A woman who is mentally alert and competent can sign her own consent form. We cannot continue to lose mothers and babies because of ignorance.

I work in the public health space and you may just be the myopic one here. Bread in much of Europe goes stale or molds within 2–3 days. It is in the US, (because of their capitalistic profit-first ideology) that loaves sit on shelves for weeks and still look “fresh.” That difference isn’t accidental, it’s based on regulations. Europe, guided by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), applies a stricter precautionary approach. Many additives are restricted or even banned. In the US, the FDA permits a wider range of preservatives, emulsifiers, dough conditioners, and many substances that are banned in the EU. The result is food engineered for longer shelf life, softer texture, and easier distribution, often with added sugars, mono- and diglycerides, and calcium propionate. It’s little wonder why the average European is much healthier than an American. It’s little wonder the obesity level in the US, and the high risk of terminal illnesses in comparison with Europe. Sadly, Nigeria is increasingly adopting the US model: ultra-processed loaves that stay unnaturally soft and “fresh” far longer than expected in our climate. At the same time, non-communicable diseases (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular issues) are rising sharply, linked in part to shifting diets heavy in processed foods high in salt, sugar, and additives. This isn’t only about one company. It’s about the food system we’re building. Shutting down questions with lawsuits or police visits, and insulting people, doesn’t make the concerns disappear.

This is insane. These are not Christians. They don’t even know how to verify what is scripture

@tolu_manny “Mao did a great job” Yea, overseeing the deaths of 40 to 80 million people is a “great job” I want to believe you don’t want us to go in that direction.

Lmfao. I hate people that try to excuse tribalism like this. Especially when you have countries like China that are a similar geographic size and ethnic diversity (Non Chinese people don't even understand how ethnically diverse China is because Mao did a great job unifying China)

Is the EU a country? Or you don’t realize the amount of endless wars European nations were fighting up until two seconds ago?

Smh. We are not ready as a nation. We are battling terrorism here but people are praising terrorism elsewhere. Na wa.

I mostly avoid commenting on what President Trump says from day to day, while pulling no punches in my assessments, whether positive or negative, of his policy. His Iran ultimatums feel different. Making such threats is a policy. If he were to follow through on them, the consequences would be immediate, irreversible, and catastrophic on a world-historical scale. So while some will inevitably insist he should be “taken seriously rather than literally,” or that he is executing a sophisticated “madman” strategy in a complex game of 5-D chess, or that he needs everyone’s steadfast support to maximize his leverage, now rather than later seems the time to say that the actions that he is proposing would be a disaster for our country, both strategically and morally, which makes the remarks themselves a terrible mistake. Simply put, what’s the point of all this? If these are empty threats that we all know he will not carry out, then they are ineffective threats (the Iranians are on X too!), merely making the president and our nation look foolish. If they are not empty threats, then the president is asserting the American position that such actions are acceptable in this situation and ones we are willing to take. We are not living in some quantum thought experiment where he simultaneously is and is not serious. We cannot expect the Iranians, but only the Iranians, will believe him. Whether the threats are empty or not, we should be willing to say: This is wrong. We should not establish a pattern of threatening escalation from a blockaded strait to elimination of a civilization. We should not launch strikes intended to devastate the lives of millions of people and take our nation to total war without indisputable justification, or before the American people have deliberated upon and assented to the path with full understanding of what total war might mean for them. Those principles are vital to our Republic, independent of whether the strategy could “work.” But it’s also worth emphasizing that the strategy is a dead end. This war is actively weakening American power, increasing the danger to American citizens, and frustrating the president’s important efforts at addressing our many domestic challenges. It has closed a strait that was previously open, strengthened the incentive for other nations to pursue nuclear weapons, and in this most recent rhetoric made more plausible their use. Our choices for continuing the war appear to be catastrophic escalation of the air war or extensive deployment of ground troops, neither of which were planned or had support at the outset. Stepping back from these threats and admitting such actions do not offer a path to resolving the conflict may be unpalatable, but it is by far the least unpalatable option available. Let us all hope cooler heads prevail.

For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church. Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful. Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space. There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning. But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me. And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church. So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying? You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language. Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you. No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say. But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. But be sure that everything is done properly and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:2-4, 6-7, 9-19, 26-28, 39-40 (NLT)

You’re praying kingdom come but you’re voting wicked people! - Apostle Emmanuel Iren