Founder of Light Nation Global, Apostle Femi Lazarus, has raised concerns about what he described as a gradual shift in some religious doctrines, without public acknowledgement from the leaders who once strongly defended them.
The preacher made the remarks while reflecting on how certain teachings that were once considered absolute in some Christian circles have been altered or abandoned over time.
According to him, there were periods when some churches openly discouraged members from owning televisions or engaging in certain aspects of modern society, only for those practices to become widely accepted later within the same congregations.
He also pointed to changes in positions regarding medical treatments, particularly blood transfusions, arguing that such reversals raise important questions about the certainty with which some doctrines are taught.
“When beliefs can be changed years later, people deserve to know whether those teachings were truly absolute in the first place,” he suggested.
Apostle Lazarus then recounted what he described as one of the most painful experiences of his ministry while visiting a woman battling cancer in a hospital.
According to him, doctors had recommended medication and blood transfusions as part of her treatment plan, and he personally encouraged her to follow the medical advice.
However, the woman reportedly declined because her pastor had instructed her not to accept blood transfusions.
“I was praying for a woman who has cancer in a hospital and advising her to use her medications and also take blood transfusions like the doctors prescribed, but she said her pastor advised her not to take blood transfusions. A week later, she died,” he said.
The cleric said the incident left a lasting impact on him and reinforced his belief that religious leaders must exercise caution when giving guidance on medical issues.
He expressed particular frustration over what he sees as a lack of accountability when influential church leaders later revise teachings that may have affected people’s lives.
“What pains me most is that when these General Overseers and Daddy GOs make changes, they repent only in private. They never come out openly to admit that they were once wrong,” he added.
According to Lazarus, transparency is important whenever religious leaders adjust long-held positions, especially when those teachings influence major life decisions involving health, family, and personal well-being.
His comments have since sparked online discussion, with many Nigerians debating the relationship between faith and medical science and the responsibility of religious leaders when offering health-related counsel.
While some agreed with his position that medical treatment and faith can coexist, others argued that religious convictions should remain a matter of personal choice.
The remarks come amid ongoing conversations within religious communities about balancing spiritual beliefs with professional medical advice, particularly in life-threatening situations where timely treatment can make a significant difference.
For Lazarus, however, the issue goes beyond doctrine. His concern is that when teachings change over time, those who once promoted them should be willing to publicly acknowledge their mistakes, especially when lives may have been affected by the guidance they gave.
