SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 111 OF THE 1980 CCC CONSTITUTION
SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 111 OF THE 1980 CCC CONSTITUTION
Wisdom O. Okotie, Ph.D.
(Superior Senior Leader, 1985).
SENSUS PLENIOR:
Many in biblical circles, or who have actually attended Seminary would recall that in hermeneutics or the science of interpretation, sensus plenior is a Latin phrase that means “fuller sense” or “fuller meaning.” It is used in biblical exegesis or sacred writings to describe the supposed deeper meaning intended by the Holy Spirit but not by the human author. This implies that more meaning can be found within an inspired or sacred text than the original author intended. With that in mind, let us examine the 1980 CCC Constitution step by step.
SECTION 111.
Whereas the Pastor and Founder of Celestial Church of Christ has PROCLAIMED PUBLICLY that, by DIVINE INSPIRATION, it has been revealed unto him concerning the mode for the appointment or selection of a Successor to the post of Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Church, it is here firmly established that:
SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION OF SECTION 111
To paraphrase, the Pastor Founder proclaimed publicly how his successor would be chosen. The live interview with the OGTV reporter was the public proclamation of how the Holy Spirit would choose his successor. That public proclamation has been on YouTube since 2014. See the link below:
SUBSECTION (i).
The successor to the office of Pastor can be from any rank in the hierarchy of the Church and shall, at a time chosen by God to reveal this unto the ERSTWHILE INCUMBENT of the post of Pastor, be named and proclaimed the successor.
SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION OF SUBSECTION (i)
The successor could be from any rank in the church and shall at a time chosen by God to reveal this unto the ERSTWHILE INCUMBENT, be named and proclaimed successor. (It is not clear how God planned this revelation to the Founder but my understanding is that the successor shall reveal himself to the Founder as directed by the Holy Spirit and will be accepted by the Pastor Founder and ordained in line with biblical principles).
ERSTWHILE means the FORMER. Why would the Founder allow himself to be addressed as former when he was still very much around? Baba Owodunni explained during my visit to him that it took the Trustees four years to draft a 54-page document because they had to thoroughly explain every word to the Founder which was subject to his approval. Therefore, the only reason why in my humble but informed opinion I believe he accepted the word “erstwhile” was because he knew he wouldn’t be here to physically present anyone as his successor PUBLICLY. It was meant to be a private divine encounter as God planned it for reasons best known to God and the Holy Spirit.
“…be named and proclaimed successor.”
Notice that the word PROCLAIMED was not qualified with PUBLICLY as it was done in Section 111(main body) above. Why? Because the name and proclaim were not necessarily meant to be both done publicly by the Pastor Founder. Elijah, Elisha, and Moses were chosen in private but vindicated openly by the Holy Spirit. King David was chosen privately but ordained by the elders publicly in Hebron to unite the divided kingdom. The prophet Samuel was also chosen privately but successfully led Israel for 40 years. The Holy Spirit is the coordinator of the entire process, not Papa SBJ Oshoffa.
THE LEGAL JUDGEMENT:
Landmark rulings were made in the case of Owodunni Vs. Bada in the year 2000 and Alagba Shonekan Vs. Baba EMF in 2015. All three of them, Baba Bada, Baba Shonekan and Baba EMF were rejected by the court for not meeting the requirements of Section 111 of the 1980 Constitution. The only way to permanent peace and a United CCC is to search for a successor that fulfills Section 111 with authentic proof.
The problem with legally interpreting divinely inspired documents like the 1980 Constitution is that the letter of the law and the spirit of the law are two different things. A major problem arises when lawyers also want to do the job of Spirit-empowered theologians. It will be wise for each party to maintain their own track. Let lawyers be lawyers and theologians be theologians. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
For example, Jesus said to the Jews to destroy this temple, and in three days, He would raise it up. (John 2:19). But the Jews misinterpreted what He said to mean the temple where they worshiped rather than Christ’s physical body because they were carnal and close-minded. Humility is the key to spiritual knowledge, but pride goes before a fall. The Spirit and the flesh are diametrically opposed to each other. For example, the Jews thought the Messiah would come as a military leader to help them defeat the Romans, but instead, He came as a child wrapped in swaddling clothes. The ways of God are mysterious, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. We must learn how to surrender to God’s will and His will alone. We must not put God in a box. CCC HYMN 526.
Finally, notice that Section 111 of the 1980 Constitution was the only section where the term DIVINE INSPIRATION was used. WHY? Because it meant that the section was God-breathed. It can be fully understood by the spiritually discerning, but the carnally minded cannot comprehend it. It is impossible to amend what God has uttered. God can never make an error. There was no lacuna in the divinely inspired Section 111 Subsection (i) by the Pastor Founder. To change or amend section 111 will amount to fighting the will of the Holy Spirit. No church can thrive when its major undertaking is to disrespect the verbal and written will of the Pastor Founder, fight the will of the Holy Spirit and look for ways to amend a sacred document.
The bottom line is whatever way you interpret the 1980 CCC Constitution, be prepared to provide supporting evidence to back your interpretation. If you claim your interpretation is legal, literal, or spiritual, be ready to provide your supporting evidence. The evidence and authentication will decide who has the correct understanding.
[Superior Senior leader Wisdom O. Okotie graduated with high honors from Oral Roberts University, Tulsa Oklahoma, USA. He was a member of Who is Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges and was nominated as the Outstanding Theological student of his graduating class. He is happily married to one wife, children, and grandchildren].
