Pastor Chris Oyakhilome To Wives: “Your husband is your master and not your equal” | Nigerians React
The General Overseer of Believers’ Loveworld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has once again come under strong criticism from Nigerians on social media over his religious views on gender equality and marriage.
In a video showing the clergyman who is divorced from wife and mother of his children, Anita preaching on marriage, Pastor Chris stated that most women have difficulty in keeping a happy home because they think they are their husband’s equal.
According to the 55-year-old man of God, the husband is the master in any home and must be respected. He preached:
“Do you know the meaning of husband? I think some of you don’t know. You think husband means the male partner in a marriage. Husband does not mean the male partner in a marriage. Husband means master. That’s what it means, not the male partner in a marriage.”
He added that the failure to acknowledge the role of the husband in a Christian home is the reason there are problems among Christians in their marriages. He stated:
“Marriage in Christianity for most people is just a flop. Why? Because they don’t agree with God’s definition, they have theirs. They believe they are equal partners. Listen to two people that have just gotten married. A lot of times, it’s the woman that speaks first.”
The dad-of-two continued by revealing the reason why God made woman. According to him, woman was not God’s original idea.
“If you want to live according to the Bible, according to the scriptures, then understand what the word says. The reason God made woman was because of man. He made the woman because of the man, that’s why he made the woman. So, woman was not his original idea.”
Preaching further, he stated that the reason why most women miss it in marriage and relationship is because they did not have a father figure. He said:
“If most women had their father bold enough to talk to them, they’ll be very successful in their marriage and they’ll be very happy people. Most women have never been taught by their parents, their fathers particularly. That’s their biggest problem.
They don’t know who a man is. They think he’s another woman. You see, in a marriage you have the man who is the head of that union. And because he’s the head of that union, it is important to understand him.
Now, you think “he’s the one that needs to understand his wife”. That is where you are wrong. He will, but until you know who you have married.”
https://twitter.com/TweetAtAustin/status/1149276754550370305
The sermon which was applauded by some social media users was however labeled as archaic by some who questioned why his own marriage ended in divorce.
I will say it again, 1. your pastor can be wrong. And that wouldn’t make him less of a pastor. Except he is a rapist or murderer or hate monger etc. 2. You can disagree with someone, including your pastor, and still retain your respect for them. “Master”, master yourself first!
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) July 11, 2019
Recall that on April 9, 2014, pastor Anita filed for divorce from her pastor husband at the Central Family Court in London, citing “unreasonable behavior” and “inappropriate relationships with others” as her reasons for wanting to end their 25-year marriage.
The divorce was finalized in February 2016 and the two now share custody of their two grown children, Sharon and Charlene.
Beyond the surface information on their divorce,not so much is known about the motives and exact events that led up to the split of the much revered couple.